Our Story
Three decades of innovation, sustainability, and service excellence
Humble Beginnings
College Products began with an unconventional idea—founded over two decades ago by a dumpster-diving Resident Assistant who saw potential where others saw waste. That mindset still defines us today. Our diverse team brings together unique skills and perspectives to create the best dorm furnishings and appliances for universities nationwide. Innovation, efficiency, and safety remain at the core of our loft kits and MicroChill units.
From Dumpster Diver To Leader
In 1997, while working as a Resident Assistant at the University of South Dakota, company president Eric Hennings noticed usable student-built lofts being thrown away during move-out. Raised on a farm in Iowa with a strong belief in conservation and reuse, he saw opportunity in that waste. By salvaging and reselling the materials, he saved valuable resources while reducing time and costs for students and parents. That simple idea became the foundation of College Products.
The Rise Of The Lofted Bed
That summer, Eric repaired the salvaged lofts and created his first rentable inventory, which sold out when brought back to campus the following fall. Seeing the strong demand, he developed a reusable steel loft prototype that evolved into a patented, adjustable system compatible with beds across campuses nationwide. As the company grew and partnered with more schools, services expanded to include delivery, assembly, and collection. Today, College Products manages loft delivery and pickup at most partner schools, adding convenience for students and parents.
Chill Out With MICROCHILL
College Products expanded beyond lofts to include fridges and personal safes, eventually seeking a more eco-friendly appliance solution. This led to MicroChill®—the first brand to replace ozone-depleting Freon with a natural, environmentally safe alternative—making College Products its first national distributor. Today, with a focus on controlled growth, we partner with a select number of schools each year to maintain exceptional service standards. Want your school to join us? Contact us to learn more.
Our Green Promise
Our Environmental Commitment
To support a greener future, we pledge to:
- Reduce the carbon footprint of our operations
- Prioritize the health and safety of our employees, communities, and ecosystems
- Continuously improve the sustainability of our products and operations
- Use resources—including materials, energy, and water—efficiently and responsibly
How We Make a Difference
We take action by implementing the following initiatives:
Sustainable Operations & Energy Efficiency
- Geothermal heating and cooling in our offices and warehouses.
- Energy Star-rated appliances used and sold to promote energy efficiency.
- Automatic lighting sensors to reduce energy waste.
- Smart thermostat installation for optimized energy use.
Community & Customer Collaboration
- Partnering with universities and housing providers to promote sustainable living
- Educating students, faculty & staff about eco-friendly product choices and best practices
- Exploring new partnerships for eco-friendly product innovation
- Hosting awareness campaigns on reducing waste and energy consumption
Eco-Conscious Workplace & Employee Initiatives
- Sustainable commuting incentives for staff who carpool or use alternative transportation
- Fresh filtered water stations to reduce plastic bottle waste
- Transition to eco-friendly cleaning products for a safer workplace
- Go-to-paperless communication with customers and partners
Waste Reduction & Recycling
- 80% recyclable lofts and finish-free products to minimize waste
- Offering repair services over replacement to extend product lifecycles
- Comprehensive recycling program for paper, aluminum, cardboard, and steel
- Additional recycling bins placed throughout the facility to encourage participation
Our Team
We've learned some of the products on College Products through strong team partnership. We make our work and yours a success. From our knowledge of the products to our enthusiasm for every new partnership we build and maintain, you will see the value in partnering with College Products.
Eric Hennings
Founder/CEO
Dillon Hennings
Director of Operation
Kaitlyn Hennings
Financial Operation Assosiate
JT. F
Distribution & Sales Manager
Jordan B.
National Sales Manager
Aaron Q.
National Sales Manager
Veronica C.
Finance & Customer Service
Robbie C.
Marketing & Analytics Specialist
Jake S.
Director of Information Technology
Jon E.
National Project Manager
Austin F.
Campus Manger (Owa& Surrounding Area)
Deon M.
Campus Manger (Georgia-Alabama)By The Numbers: College Products' Impact On Campuses Around The USA
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+Partner Universities
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K+Students Served
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+Years in Business
