ManufacturingNEXT Facility Tour

ManufacturingNEXT Facility Tour at  Comfort Research

Come join us at Comfort Research in person! Please be aware that space is limited, so if you are no longer able to join us after signing up...please let Anna Grace know (agrace@myinforum.org). This group bring us great opportunities for more in-person opportunities in networking and plant tours.

Company Overview

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan and established over 25 years ago, Comfort Research (CR) has manufacturing sites in Grand Rapids, MI, Lewisburg, TN, Tremonton, UT, and Tarboro, NC. Comfort Research is a product design and manufacturing company, based in the heart of West Michigan. Creators of the Big Joe® and Big Joe Lux® brands, we are revolutionizing affordable furniture in the indoor, outdoor and pool product markets by developing innovative products that deliver greater comfort, design aesthetics and value.

Bio’s:

 Chip George has been with Comfort Research since the beginning as a Founder, Co-owner, and Ambassador of Awesome! Chip and his partner in business, Matt Jung, started on this wild ride when they were back at Hope College. It was all the humble beginnings of recognizing there was a market for comfortable seating and not just inadequate old bean bags. Universities around the state were filled with prospective customers eager for an affordable, durable, and comfortable place to lounge. It took some lots of innovation, some hand stitching and an occasional missed class, but soon the Fuf, foam-based product, could be found underneath college kids across Michigan… and that’s where Big Joe® brand was born!

Ann Mason has been with Comfort Research as Head of Supply Chain and Operations since late 2022. She brings with her over 20 years of experience within the Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering and Contract Sales space. Comfort Research’s Core Values of “Find a Better Way, Do the Right Thing, and Expect the Best” were the key principles that brought her to the business and align directly with her continuous improvement focus and team-building passion. Throughout her career she has helped to shape strategic vision and create autonomously driven teams, while driving business growth and empowering people development.

 Paul Takken has been a key asset at Comfort Research for nearly 15 years, serving as the Core Technologies Expert and the official Automation Guru! His extensive tenure with the company highlights his expertise in technology, automation, and finding a better way. Playing a crucial role in advancing Comfort Research's technological capabilities and efficiency, his contributions have been integral to the company's growth and innovation. Paul is a Master at “Doing a lot with a little” when it comes to innnovation and efficiency.

ManufacturingNEXT Affinity Group

Group Leadership

Amanda Murray

Kelly Springer

Chelsea Whiteside