Michael Crowell has been named executive director of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam and its CertiPUR-US program—succeeding Robert Duffy who is retiring.

Foam industry veteran Michael Crowell has been named executive director of the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam and its CertiPUR-US program. He succeeds Robert Duffy who is retiring.

Crowell has more than 40 years of senior management experience in the polyurethane foam industry, including technical, manufacturing, sales and marketing positions.

For the past 10 years, Crowell served as vice president of marketing and sales for Flexible Foam Products, where, among other duties, he had responsibility for government and industry product compliance. During the six years prior, he was vice president for automotive sales at Flexible Foam.

Earlier in his career, Crowell served as vice president for automotive sales as well as automotive corporate quality manager for Foamex International, now FXI. Crowell's career also included management and chemical engineering positions at Firestone Foam Products. 

Crowell known in the foam industry and among home furnishings companies through his service as a board member of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA).

"The CertiPUR-US program is growing exponentially," said Michael Crowell. "I'm excited to work with a program that is contributing value to both the bedding and upholstered furniture industries by providing science-based, credible answers to consumer questions about content and emissions."

According to the company, polyurethane foams that earn CertiPUR-US certification label are made without ozone-depleters, formaldehyde, PBDE flame retardants, prohibited phthalates, lead, mercury, heavy metals, and other materials of concern, and are low emissions for indoor air quality (less than .5 parts per million). Certified foams must also meet physical performance and durability standards. Certified foams are verified periodically through random testing.

U.S. foam producers offer CertiPUR-US certified foams and foam producers from Canada, China, Mexico and ltaly are also among those certifying foams.

For more information, please visit certipur.us.