Mark Fuller, one of about 125 employees at Mahoning Valley-based Gasser Chair, welds a chair part. Gasser makes all of its furniture at its Liberty Township and Holmes County, Ohio, facilities.
By Karl Henkel
khenkel@vindy.com
LIBERTY
Anyone headed to the new Horseshoe Casino that opens in Cleveland should glance twice before taking a seat for a game of blackjack or a hand of poker.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the chairs or stools, but because they’re a homemade product.
Built right here in the Mahoning Valley, Gasser Chair Co. Inc. is the
official supplier of 2,855 slot and table-game seats at the Horseshoe Casino.
But it’s not the first large-scale furniture order Gasser has worked on.
For the past 66 years, the company has landed big contracts and has provided seating for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, Las Vegas casinos and even local establishments such as Leo’s Ristorante in Howland, Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman, Alberini’s, The Avalon Club and Holiday Inn Boardman.
The success of their products, however, isn’t overlooked by the company, especially in an industry based solely on opinions.
“It’s a very subjective thing,” said Mark Gasser, president. “What’s comfortable for me may not be comfortable for you.”
And comfort, Gasser said, is the name of the game.
The success of Gasser’s chairs isn’t necessarily based on the flashiness of the upholstery or the size of the chair. Though those characteristics matter, it’s how long a person will sit in the chair.
Gasser Chair Co. discovered that early, after a 1960s meeting between George Gasser and Bill Harrah, founder of Harrah’s Casino. The two discovered the longer a gambler stays in a chair, the more likely he or she is to continue playing — and spending money.
“Comfort is a big item,” Mark Gasser said. “Next to your waitress or casino attendant, the furniture is the next thing the customer comes in contact with.”
Gasser has found a way to stand out from competitors. It starts with their in-home service, which allows the company to tailor specific chair styles and fabrics to meet the demands of its customers.
The chairs are completed constructed and furnished at either the company’s 100,000-square foot Logan Way location or at its 45,000-square foot facility in Holmes County.
This includes taking aluminum extrusions from Struthers-based Astro Shapes and Youngstown-based Aerolite Extrusion Co. and forming them into chair frames, backings and bases.
But even that isn’t a trivial task.
Mark Gasser said one of the biggest problems customers reported with chairs is the difficulty for which it is to move, especially those seats with round, halo bases.
When tilted, that base digs into the carpeting or floor, making the chair more difficult to move.
That’s why Gasser now makes all of its halo bases with a slight upward bend.
It’s modifications such as those that make providing furniture a six-month process, though the time line can get even longer.
Building the furniture for large-scale casino projects has taken as long as two years, Mark Gasser said.
“We don’t make furniture for everyone,” he said. “We make it for people who appreciate quality and attention to detail.”
Comments
Theyre hiring, for 9 bux an hour, if youre interested in wandering to the middle of the hood for a job...
I hardly think the Logan Swim club neighborhood is considered the "middle of the hood"...
Congratulations Gasser Chair - keep up the good work you do in the community as well!
Isn't it amazing how even a positive article, from good people in the valley bringing jobs and ecomonic opportunities, can elicit a negative response (i.e. middle of the hood). Pshaw to all that. Open your eyes, your ears, and your mind and see the good these people are doing. I'm proud of this local company!! Congratulations is well deserved!
Ok, i drive through this area quite a bit, and logan avenue is not a good street, and its certainly not worth rolling through for 9 bux an hour....
Hey losers, no one is begging "you" to get a job with this company...close up your trap.... yap. At least they stay here in the valley! I have known this family for over 40 years. They could have left this valley at anytime for a multitude of reasons. Don't even drive Logan if you're that "scared" ya bunch of whiners.
How ridiculous...a local company using other local companies for thier product and hiring locally at $9 an hour and some of you have nothing but negative responses.
It just makes no sense to me.
Gasser Chair Company is a postive for this area and have done some wonderful things for people.
Shame on you people.
Another place for the working poor to barely make it, yippeee
Sounds as if Danikytn is one whom would rather collect $400 a week unemployment or some other hand-out, instead of making $400 a week working..Also one who believes he is owed something in life.. Probably living in moms basement waiting for a fortune 100 company to open up an office on Federal street so he could make 80k for a 30 hour work week with his brand new Liberal Arts degree..
A great company owned by a great, long time local family. I wish them continuing success.
The manufacturing location has never produced a negative news article in recent memory. Logan Avenue pavement may have some surface defects but it is safe to travel. Like Market Street and Glenwood Avenue, if you stay on those roads and do not venture onto the side streets you'll do well.
Thank you for backing up Gasser Chair. Some people just don't understand how hard they work. Gasser is bringing more jobs to the valley.