SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc., a global leader in vinyl-coated fabrics and soft trim technologies (OTCQB: UNIR) (or the Company”), is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Naugahyde brand’s trademark.
While the Naugahyde trademark was officially registered 80 years ago in 1936, it was actually developed 22 years prior in 1914, at the U. S. Rubber Company plant in Naugatuck, Connecticut. Naugahyde was the first rubber-based artificial leather produced and the first in a series of product innovations for U.S. Rubber Company, Inc. which later changed its name to Uniroyal, Inc. Today, more than 500 Naugahyde products are proudly manufactured in the United States at Uniroyal Global’s plant in Stoughton, Wisconsin.
A History of Innovation
Naugahyde’s reputation for innovative product design expanded when U.S. Rubber developed a synthetic rubber substitute for use in World War II. This new vinyl resin went on to be used in a variety of military products, including rain coats, tents, field bags and upholstery for military vehicles of all types – trucks, planes, tanks, ships and Jeeps.
Naugahyde continued to gain in popularity during the postwar boom of the 1950s. With improved quality and a vastly increased color palette, it revolutionized the footwear, clothing and luggage industries, while continuing its domination of vinyl-coated fabrics of all kinds.
Although Naugahyde was already a household name by the 1960s, a marketing campaign engineered by famed Madison Avenue adman George Lois launched it into the stratosphere. It featured the Nauga, a fictional and mythical creature that was said to shed its “hyde (with no harm to itself), to provide the world with Naugahyde, The Cruelty-Free Fabric.” Spokesmen for the campaign included Johnny Carson, and the Nauga character even appeared on The Tonight Show, as well as in the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame parade in New York City.
As part of the ad campaign, Nauga dolls were produced and offered for $1 with the purchase of a Naugahyde-covered recliner chair. These original dolls are now collectors’ items, and authentic Nauga dolls can still be purchased on the Naugahyde website.
In the decades since the Nauga campaign, Naugahyde has continued its focus on innovation, greatly expanding uses for the product by increasing the amount of colors and finishes available, while improving performance such as flame-resistance and anti-microbial properties.
“We are pleased to celebrate this significant milestone and Naugahyde’s legacy of product innovation and outstanding quality. We look forward to building on our rich history of American-made products and long-standing reputation for durability and performance,” said Howard Curd, Chairman and CEO.
And that philosophy of innovation and quality continues today, with Uniroyal continuing its reign as a global leader in vinyl-coated fabrics and soft-trim technologies. Earlier this year, the company introduced Casablanca, a new linen-textured, vinyl-coated fabric combining the look and feel of linen with the performance of Naugahyde. Casablanca was developed specifically for the hospitality, contract, marine and healthcare markets and features enhanced biocide properties and the Advanced Beauty Gard® top coat finish.
To honor the 80th anniversary of Naugahyde, Uniroyal Global will release a commemorative Nauga doll, and will celebrate the auspicious occasion with employees at a reception in Stoughton, Wisconsin on November 12, 2016.
About Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.:
Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc., (OTCQB: UNIR) through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells vinyl coated fabrics products that have applications in the automotive and non-automotive transportation, indoor/outdoor furniture, commercial and hospitality seating, healthcare facilities, and athletic equipment primarily in North America and Europe. The company’s products in the automotive industry are used primarily in seating, door panels, head and arm rests, security shades, and trim components. Its non-automotive applications include outdoor seating for utility and sports vehicles, and sheeting used in medical, nuclear protection, personal protection, moisture barriers, pool liners, pram and nursery, movie screen, and decorative surface applications. The company offers its products primarily under the Naugahyde®, BeautyGard®, Flameblocker™, Spirit Millennium®, Ambla®, Amblon®, Velbex®, Cirroflex®, Plastolene® and Vynide® brands. It also offers sensor products directly to manufacturers, dealers, and end users.
Forward Looking Statements:
Except for statements of historical fact, certain statements contained in this document are intended to constitute forward-looking statements under the securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. Such statements generally refer to the future and may, but do not necessarily, include the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “planned,” “estimated” and “potential” and words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based on Uniroyal Global Engineered Products, Inc.’s current expectations. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements made by the Company are not guarantees of future performance and that a variety of factors could cause the Company´s actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the Company´s forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties which may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company´s business include, but are not limited to, uncertainties relating to economic conditions, customer plans and commitments, the pricing and availability of equipment, materials and inventories, technological developments, performance issues with suppliers, economic growth, delays in testing of new products, the Company’s ability to successfully integrate acquired operations, the Company’s dependence on key personnel, the Company’s ability to protect its intellectual property rights, the effectiveness of cost-reduction plans, rapid technology changes and the highly competitive environment in which the Company operates. Additional risk factors that could adversely affect the Company’s performance are set forth in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made.
