About Us

SEPTEMBER 1978 – FOUNDING OF SOUTHERN ALUMINUM

Charlie Taylor, a leader in the aluminum industry for decades. His vision began with crafting his first product, Southern Piknik®, a line of picnic tables and benches designed utilizing stadium bleacher extrusions that he repurposed. This pivot in innovation started decades of product design using aluminum extrusions as the foundation of each linenless product.

1982 – REVOLUTIONIZING FOLDING TABLES

By the early ’80s, Southern Aluminum had become well known for their durable picnic tables. Mr. Taylor’s innovative mindset led to the creation of the Alulite® folding table. A first of its kind, lightweight folding table with all the strength and durability of his Southern Piknik® line.

1988 – FATHER & SON PAVE THE WAY

After a decade of remarkable growth, Southern Aluminum faced a challenge when its founder, Mr. Taylor, was diagnosed with cancer. Demonstrating true family commitment, Charlie’s son, Mark Taylor, returned to Magnolia, AR to support his father and the business. This partnership became a catalyst for Southern Aluminum’s expansion into new markets and the cultivation of a thriving culture of success.

Early 1990’s – SETTING THE STAGE

The 1990s marked a transformative era for Southern Aluminum, setting the stage for its emergence as an innovative industry leader. The Taylor family laid the foundation by hiring top talent who infused the company with creativity in product design, advanced sales strategies, and a strong brand image built on quality and exceptional customer service.

Late 1990’s – ENDLESS DESIGN POSSIBILITES

As the new millennium approached, Southern Aluminum faced significant changes after 20 years of operation. Following Mr. Taylor’s passing, Mark took the helm, scaling the company towards a production-centric operation and strengthening the breadth of product design to enhance the end users experience.

2000’s – HOSPITALITY DRIVEN

The 2000’s was marked by significant milestones and innovations for Southern Aluminum. We introduced the groundbreaking T2: Two-in-One meeting table, launched a dedicated Marketing and Brand division, and established ourselves as a powerhouse for hospitality furniture.

2010’s – INNOVATION LEADS THE WAY

With the growth of hospitality came equal growth in other markets such as Education, Military, Parks & Recreation, and Worship. Innovating in product design for all markets became a driving force to elevate the business over the competition. The company found creative ways to integrate more sustainable materials into product designs that complemented aluminum’s light weight, durable, and renewable features. Strategic customers co-collaborated to bring forward designs that became a mainstay in their business.

TODAY – LIVING OUR CORE VALUES

The success of Southern Aluminum ties back to the company’s core values and the culture that has thrived since Charlie Taylor opened its’ doors. The company’s rich history, sense of place, and the people behind the brand make Southern Aluminum unique and memorable to the industry. Now with a global footprint, the company continues to find ways to win and stay strategically ahead of the curve.