The Furniture Manufacturers Association (FMA) traces its history back to 1881. A group, with this name, was organized in Grand Rapids to:

-obtain equitable freight rates from the railroads

-protect members from disreputable furniture dealers

-obtain reasonable insurance rates

-protect the Grand Rapids furniture label

-and set uniform wage rates.

This association was not very active during the early years and few records were kept. Following the massive labor strikes of 1911, however, the association reorganized and retained staff to pursue the Group's interests. The members formed the FMA Warehouse Company in 1920 to negotiate, as a block, for equitable rates with the various railroads. In addition, this group loaded rail cars for the members. As time went on the Warehouse Co. expanded into providing supplies for the manufacturers, with profits used to offset costs generated by the Manufacturers Association. The directories of the two organizations were tightly inter-locked.

During this same period, the FMA was active in protecting the "Grand Rapids Made" trademark. A series of successful suits were prosecuted against retailers who used "Grand Rapids" in either their names or their advertising without having any Grand Rapids made furniture in their stocks. Also during this period the FMA successfully defended itself against federal anti-trust charges.

Following World War II the FMA also began to concentrate on the problem of the dwindling number of skilled furniture makers. The association began efforts to both recruit and train people for work as furniture makers. During the 1950s these efforts expanded to include providing continuing education for people already employed in the industry. Another effort during this period was collection, assimilation and analysis of market information, to assist members in establishing production goals. These data included economic trends, raw material prices and availability and wage costs.

Another dimension of the FMA was its market function in promoting Grand Rapids made furniture. This included the predominantly semi-annual markets in Grand Rapids, as well as a whole series of promotional literature and press releases on the city, furniture, furniture industry and personalities involved. During the late 1950s, two films were made documenting the industry, one for "Industries on Parade" and the other for the "Arlene Francis Home Show," on television.

In 1981 the FMA celebrated its centennial with an exhibit of furniture similar to the furniture market exhibits that ended in the early 1960s. The association continues to be an advocate for the industry today, but has expanded its membership to include furniture makers and related industries from West Michigan rather than just Grand Rapids.