The History of SSI

History

Seating Services Incorporated was established in 1994 as a manufacturers representative for one of the major bleacher manufacturers. SSi had decided advantages over most sales reps..

Diane Cotroneo Cooke, President/CEO, was employed by that same manufacturer for close to 10 years. At various and over lapping times she was Head of Engineering, Director of Installations and National Sales Manager. Back in the days of the 2 man engineering department she was a draftsman obtaining an in-depth knowledge of bleacher construction. Don Care, PE, came out of retirement to train her. He also passed along his love of bleachers.

In 1992 Tim Cooke joined the management staff of the same manufacturer. Having had almost 20 years in steel fabrication, plant and office management and sales he was an immediate asset to the company.

In the spring of 1994 Diane left the company, for health reasons. At that time Tim became the Sales Manager. In late summer of that year Diane was asked by 2 of the owners to consider representing them in Western New York and Western Pennsylvania. Missing her bleacher work, she said yes and proceeded with incorporation.

Although Diane’s background was engineering, and she was not a salesman, the company grew quite quickly. Architects and owners alike had come to depend on her bleacher and code knowledge, honesty, and true faith in her products. She was also able to become a dealer for an injection molded stadium chair that was imported from the UK. The work became overwhelming. The process of hiring someone with seating knowledge to assist her, ended with the hiring of Tim. The bleacher manufacturer did some internal shuffling to accommodate the unexpected resignation quite nicely.

Today

Seating Services has expanded to become a manufacturer of both our Blow Molded and Injection Molded stadium chairs, bringing the fabrication of the steel columns and seat supports in-house. This has brought our Q.C. and scheduling directly under our control.

Since 2006, due to an increase in chair manufacturing, Seating Services no longer sells & installs Bleachers. Seating Services with 2 seating experts on staff manufactures, sells and installs stadium chairs. Our chairs are designed & built to fit almost any Major Manufacturers stands, as well as concrete, steel decking & wood.

SSi also sells & installs Press Boxes and does rework to existing bleachers and grandstands.

Layout, design, sales and installation have led the company to employ up to 16 full-time employees during the ever lengthening “season”. We’ve installed chairs as far away as Mobile, AL & Georgetown, Barbados, WI. We’ve delivered chairs as far away as Honduras.

Seating Services Incorporated is a New York State Registered WBE. As EEO employers hiring men and women of all nationalities and races, the only criteria for continued employment is the ability to install the products well; with pride and a professional image.

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