Bergen Upholstery recently celebrated its 74th year in the transportation refurbishing business . Founded in 1946 , this New Jersey-based company was the first to supply replacement seat covers and seat parts to the motor coach industry . Bergen is recognized as the leader in the North American motor coach and rail car replacement seating market .
The company was founded by Joseph Pokotilow , who learned the upholstery trade from his father , Benjamin . Family lore describes Benjamin , who was born in Russia , as the harness maker and carriage upholsterer to Tsar Nicholas II , before he immigrated to the US . Joseph ’ s entrepreneurial spirit and smart executive decisions allowed the company to grow from modest beginnings in a storefront to a staff of 20 and a 13,000 square foot facility .
Nancy Pokotilow Citti , Joseph ’ s daughter , joined Bergen in 1984 as a sales associate . Working alongside her father allowed for a seamless transition to lead the company , and in 1995 , upon Joseph ’ s retirement , she became President . Throughout the years , she has strived every day to continue Bergen ’ s tradition of excellence in quality , reliability , and superior customer service .
Ms . Citti has seen much change in the industry since she start-ed , and Bergen has changed with it . Along with manufacturing seat covers and supplying seat parts , they refurbish the entire interior of the motor coach , at their facility or onsite at the customer ’ s location . Bergen refurbishes driver seats , creates headrest covers with customer logos or marketing ads , and shampoos interiors . Responding to last year ’ s COVID-19 crisis Bergen developed PPE as barriers and sneeze shields for drivers and passengers . Ms . Citti believes that flexibility in a changing market is the way for her company to succeed . busride . com | BUSRIDE 57