Sauder Offers Remake Of Erie's Original Table

This is the reproduction of Erie Sauder’s first ready-to-assemble table, complete with replica packaging.– courtesy photo At the urging of a national discount store chain, Sauder Woodworking is offering a special, limited-production edition of the table that created an industry.

Sauder company officials displayed the table, first introduced in 1951, at the 2009 Las Vegas Market, one of the nation’s top furniture industry showcases.

At the show, they were approached by buyers from the discount chain, who suggested making replicas “because they believe the design is in tune with today’s marketplace,” said Kevin Sauder, company president and chief executive officer.

Original

After creating Sauder Woodworking in 1934, Erie Sauder, company founder, began making value-priced occasional tables from waste scraps of the fine woods he used for custom cabinets and church pews.

A traveling salesman spotted the inexpensive tables in 1940, and generated an order for 25,000. Erie and his workers responded to the challenge, and production began.

Then in 1951, Erie came up with the idea for a table that could be sold as a flat package and then assembled in the home by the consumer, without woodworking tools. His idea was patented in 1953.

That original design was manufactured for 15 years.

Reproduction

The reproduction is made of solid cherry, which are scraps from Sauder Manufacturing. Sauder Manufacturing makes church pews and contract seating.

Production will be limited to 500 numbered units, and will be sold only through a website and the Sauder Store and Outlet.

Erie’s sons, Maynard, company chairman, and Myrl, senior research engineer, and Erie’s grandson, Kevin signed each table.

The reproduction table is packed with the original assembly instructions and labels.

“My grandfather invented the RTA industry with this design, and our replica is a tangible way to celebrate a landmark anniversary year for the company.

“The table’s go-anywhere good looks and function-oriented design make it as appealing and useful in the 21st century as it was in the 20th.”