Hartford, Connecticut-based independent mattress manufacturer Gold Bond is celebrating 125 years in business this year. The fourth-generation, family-owned company continues to grow by defying trends and adhering to its core values — superior quality, exceptional service and on-site dealer training with Gold Bond’s principals.
“We use a very simple calculus — use quality American-made materials to make an exceptional mattress, price it right, deliver it promptly, do on-site training ourselves and be available to dealers and consumers at any time to answer questions or handle challenges,” said Gold Bond CEO Robert Naboicheck, whose grandfather started the business in 1899. “We are proud of what we have built and never forget the success is because of our dealers and our vendor partners, most of whom have been with us for many years.”
Gold Bond President Skip Naboicheck, the fourth generation to lead the business, added: “We’re able to do what we do, and for as long as we have, because of the invaluable relationships we’ve cultivated with our suppliers, retailers and employees,” he said. “Few businesses are fortunate enough to reach the 100-year mark, let alone remain in the same family. For that, I have to thank my great grandfather, Isadore, and his guiding values of quality, superior service and teamwork that continue to define the company today. My grandfather and father grew upon those values and vision over the decades, adding to the strength and success of our company.”
In 1899, Isadore Naboicheck began making handmade mattresses in a four-story brick building overlooking the Connecticut River in Hartford. According to a news release, Naboicheck manufactured mattresses that earned a reputation for comfort throughout the region and were marketed with the tagline, “Comfort and consistency. This is what we do.” By World War II, the company had blended its own cotton for 30 years and Gold Bond mattresses became a fixture along the East Coast, with clients ranging from prestigious establishments and leading universities to exclusive hotels like The Plaza and The Park Lane.
The generations that followed Isadore Naboicheck’s lead kept Gold Bond’s tradition of handmade craftsmanship and long-term vision in mattress manufacturing alive, the release said. In the mid-20th century, the company produced beds for some of the nation’s leading hotels. By the end of the millennia, Gold Bond was also known for the quality of its futon mattresses.
The Naboichecks attribute Gold Bond’s longevity and success to the following values:
- Excellence in craftsmanship: Gold Bond is committed to using only high-quality, proven materials in crafting its mattresses, from the layers of cotton and wool to the sturdy innersprings and border rods to the natural latex and steel box springs, company officials said. Gold Bond remains one of the few bedding manufacturers that still garnets its own cotton, ensuring quality control at every stage of its production process.
- Sturdy and long-lasting mattresses: Bob Naboicheck endorses Gold Bond signature two-sided mattress models by saying, “Two of something is better than one of something.” These durable mattresses have an extended lifespan.
- Superior service: The company’s CEO is consistently on the road, engaging with retailers and their sales teams, offering comprehensive education about Gold Bond and its product portfolio. This direct interaction provides insights into market challenges, enabling the company’s CEO and president to address the needs of its partners and customers, according to the release.
- Collaboration and employee satisfaction: The Naboichecks regard Gold Bond employees as integral members of their extended family. This mindset is credited with fostering loyalty among staff members, many of whom have remained with the company for more than 25 years. According to the company’s leaders, its customers benefit from products crafted by seasoned artisans, and its employees take pride in their roles and are connected to Gold Bond’s legacy and successes.
By adhering to the company’s core values, leveraging its time-honored strategies and production methods and following Isadore Naboicheck’s example, the current generation of the Naboicheck family is dedicated to building on the success of Gold Bond’s 125 years in the mattress industry.
