Companion Seating Evolves Ahead of 30th Anniversary
Since its debut in 1996, Companion has been a pillar of the Versteel product offering and a trusted seating solution across contract environments. As Versteel’s first-ever seating series, Companion helped establish the company’s reputation for durable, American-made furniture that performs in public and learning spaces. Nearly three decades later, Companion seating stands the test of time and continues to evolve to meet the ever changing standards of sustainability, process control, and user comfort.
Launching Companion was a big moment for us. It marked our first step into seating, and we knew we had something special. Companion was designed with real intention, showcasing our quality American manufacturing while filling a need as a complement to our tables. Thirty years on, it’s still relevant. It’s still delivering.
Scott Schwinghammer, President and CEO
Designed for Endurance
With durable steel construction and contoured seats and backs, Companion is a comprehensive seating series designed and built to perform in education, healthcare, workplace, and civic spaces. Its familiar silhouette and enduring comfort make it a go-to choice for designers who need flexibility without compromising durability and aesthetics. From standard chairs to stools, bariatric models, and youth seating, Companion is designed to accommodate a wide range of users and applications.
With this expansive offering and thoughtful design, Companion delivers:
- Long-term comfort and support
- Cleanability and durability for high-use spaces
- An abundance of functional and aesthetic options for customization
- Various material combinations to match any aesthetic
- A cohesive aesthetic across multiple seating styles
Evolving a Classic
What began as a small collection of chairs has grown into a comprehensive line supporting diverse environments and purposes. Stools were added to Companion a few years after its initial launch, followed later by bariatric and youth models, extending comfort and reliability to even more spaces and users.
Thirty years later, Companion continues to evolve. Most recently, the series has undergone a series of thoughtful, behind-the-scenes updates that reinforce Versteel’s commitment to American manufacturing, sustainable sourcing, and continual improvement.
The most recent updates to Companion include:
- In-house molding of urethane armcaps for greater comfort, color flexibility, and supply chain control
- Expanded armcap option to bariatric models for improved comfort and cleanability in healthcare settings
- New sourcing partnership for bent wood components with a U.S. manufacturer known for technical precision
- All materials now sourced domestically within 500 miles of Versteel’s Indiana facilities (excluding textiles)
Thoughtful Updates, Inside and Out
The transition to in-house molding of urethane armcaps improves both product quality and supply chain resiliencies. The new urethane formulation is softer and more pliable, providing a comfortable, secure grip while retaining durability and cleanability. In-house production also makes it possible to offer a wider range of colors, giving designers greater freedom to match or contrast with project palettes.
This urethane armcap option has been extended to Companion’s bariatric models, supporting use in healthcare and any setting where cleanability and comfort are essential.
In addition to the urethane armcaps, Versteel has shifted production to a new American manufacturing partner for Companion’s bent wood components. This partnership brings generations of skill and technical precision to each chair, ensuring exceptional strength and consistency.
Together, these updates make up an important chapter in the ongoing story of Companion.
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Proudly Made in the USA
Companion has always been built with American craftsmanship at its core. Versteel continues to manufacture Companion’s metal components in-house at its Indiana facilities, where every product is held to the highest standards of quality and performance. With these recent changes, Companion joins a growing list of Versteel products sourced entirely in the United States. Aside from textiles, which vary by vendor and pattern selection, every material used in Companion is now procured within five hundred miles of Versteel’s Indiana facilities. By sourcing materials domestically and bringing more processes under one roof, Versteel reduces transportation emissions, increases transparency, and enhances product consistency.
Rooted in Values
Though these refinements may be subtle, they speak to the heart of Versteel’s philosophy: great design doesn’t just endure the test of time; it evolves with it. Companion remains true to its original promise of providing welcoming, durable, and easy-to-maintain seating for lobbies, waiting areas, healthcare settings, educational spaces, and beyond. With expanded options for designers and greater control over sourcing, Companion is more equipped than ever to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
Our StoryThis collection has come a long way,” continues Schwinghammer. “I’m proud of the team that continues to make it better over time. Companion isn’t just a chair; It represents who we are and how we work.
Companion is available on the Versteel extension for CET, providing users with intuitive tools to design and customize their projects. Select chairs are available on Versteel’s Quickship program, which ships within ten business days.
Explore the expansive Companion collection and its vast design solutions:
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