The brothers behind Made Rite Bedding might be new to the industry but their ambition is old school.
Brothers Ryan and Michael Rowden didn’t plan on being in the sleep products industry. But now that they’re at the helm of 79-year-old company Made Rite Bedding as president and vice president, respectively — it’s a natural fit, thanks to their backgrounds.
Founded in 1946 by Jack Stricker, Made Rite Bedding was acquired in 2022 by Michael and Ryan’s father, Todd Rowden, and his business partner, James Oakley. By day, Todd Rowen and Oakley are partners at global law firm Taft, and by night, are investors under their firm Oak Row Investments LLC.
“Our ownership and management team are our most unique feature,” Michael says. “We come from the professional service world — in particular, public accounting, engineering, legal and finance.” Ryan has a master’s degree in accounting and Michael has a degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Illinois.
But there’s a personal connection to manufacturing, too. “Both the Rowden and Oakley families have proud Michigan roots with parents, brothers, aunts and uncles who worked the factory lines of our once great automotive industry,” Ryan says. “Our goal is to bring these two worlds together with the highest-tier customer service, combined with the core understanding that our production capabilities must be second to none.”
pause during a visit to Turkey to visit suppliers and check out machinery.
Since acquiring Made Rite, the new ownership has been busy. They manufacture mattresses for universities, government customers, institutions and medical facilities in Franklin Park, Illinois. In September 2022, Made Rite acquired Sleep Artisan, a maker of handcrafted natural latex pillows they brought from California to Chicago to diversify their product lines. In April 2024, Made Rite acquired two foam fabricating plants, (now Made Rite Foam) in Russellville, Alabama, and Dumas, Mississippi. With recent closures in the industry, Made Rite Foam started a quilting program for mattress manufacturers that faced a supply chain disruption.
“Whether it’s a student, someone at home or a patient at a medical facility using our bed or our products, it’s going to help them live a better life,” Ryan says. “If I make you a better mattress and you can sleep an extra hour, that’s going to directly contribute to your well-being. And that’s super fulfilling.”
The brothers share a symbiotic approach to work. “I go out there and try to find the business, and Mike is my rock,” Ryan says. “He helps me on a day-to-day basis get the different aspects completed and packaged and ready to go for our customers.”
As for the future, Ryan has a clear goal: “What I’m hoping to do with Made Rite is grow us to where we’re not only servicing customers but other mattress manufacturers in the industry. We can do that with our foam products, our quilted products and our selling.”
No matter the line of business, one belief is universal: “Always take care of your customers,” Michael says. “Without them, you have no business.”
