Roger Berkley graduated from Columbia University with a degree in American History that qualified him for either long term unemployment or near subsistence pay as a teacher. He tried the latter, but poverty made him break out in a rash, so he joined Weave Corporation as the fourth generation of his family in the weaving business. In the mid 1970's, Roger opened the upholstery fabrics division of Weave and the first two years provided significant comic relief to both employees and competitors (there were no customers, so they missed out on the fun). By the early 1980's, upholstery fabrics had become the dominant product category for Weave, supplanting neckties, drapery and apparel fabrics.
When the Consumer Product Safety Commission began developing a mandatory flammability standard for upholstered furniture and cover fabrics, Roger became a leading spokesman for the industry through the American Textile Manufacturers' Institute (of late sainted memory). Since then, Roger has continued to lead the industry efforts to evaluate and steer attempts to create standards for upholstery fabrics first as Chairman of the Upholstery Fabrics Committee ATMI, and, most recently, as the founding Chairman of the NTA Upholstery Fabrics Committee. "Not only do I get to work on issues of great import to our industry," said Roger, "but I get to ride that really neat Acela Express to DC a few times a year."
Today Weave Corporation designs, colors, weaves and imports high end fabrics for the decorative upholstery markets in the U.S. and overseas. Roger's daughter Sarah recently joined Weave and represents the fifth generation of the family in the field. Roger said, "We're going to keep doing this until one of the generations gets it right."
Roger has served in NTA leadership positions since 1999.
For December 18, 2005 Bergen (NJ) Record article about Mr. Berkley and Weave Corp., Click Here.