History of Mats Inc.

Mats Inc. has been a trusted name in commercial flooring for more than 50 years, known for its entrance systems, specialty flooring, and design-forward surfaces. What began. as a small family business grew into a national brand serving diverse commercial environments across the country. This history highlights the company’s evolution from its earliest matting solutions to its modern position in the industry.

The Beginning of Mats Inc.

The origins of Mats Inc. trace back to a simple idea: create better, more reliable entrance solutions for everyday commercial use. Mats Inc. began in 1971 as a family-owned business built from the ground up by Bob and Catherine Schiffmann. Working out of their Braintree home, they sold early floor mats and entrance solutions directly to local businesses, focusing on cleanliness, safety, and performance. What started as a small operation quickly grew into a trusted provider of commercial flooring solutions across high traffic areas.

The Mats Inc. Vision

The original vision for Mats Inc. was to provide durable, easy-to-maintain products that improved the way customers moved through commercial spaces. The founders were committed to designing solutions that reduced dirt and moisture indoors, supported employee safety, and delivered reliable performance. This customer-first mindset shaped the company’s culture for decades.

First Products

In the early years, Mats Inc. introduced entrance mats designed to withstand heavy use and help businesses keep entryways clean by controlling dirt and debris tracked in from outdoors. As part of its entrance system solutions, the company also offered aluminum grilles and simple runners, with installation support. This focus on functional, versatile products set the foundation for Mats Inc.’s future specialty flooring categories.

Mats

Entrance mats were the first core offering, providing cleaner and safer access points for hospitals, schools, offices, and other industrial and commercial environments. These products were designed to trap dirt and moisture effectively, making facilities easier to maintain and improving overall cleanliness.

Tiles

Matting tiles introduced a modular approach, offering customers flexible installation and long-term durability. These tiles could be vacuumed or hosed clean, ensuring simple upkeep while maintaining high performance in high traffic areas. Their adaptability made them a natural addition to the growing product portfolio.

Commercial Flooring Applications

As the company expanded, Mats Inc. extended its solutions to meet the needs of industries requiring both safety and design flexibility. Their flooring solutions were built to support wellness, protect interiors, and withstand daily use in demanding environments.

Lobbies

Lobbies required durable systems that balanced aesthetics with functionality. Mats Inc. provided clean, visually consistent surfaces that managed moisture and reduced slip risks, helping businesses maintain an impressive and safe entry experience.

Entrances

Entrances remained the heart of the business, with multi-zoned systems designed to manage dirt, moisture, and heavy foot traffic. These high-performance entrance products were designed to support customer expectations and reduce long-term maintenance demands.

Logo Mats

Logo mats introduced a branded way to combine function and visual identity. Customers could reinforce their brand while keeping indoor spaces clean, ensuring entrances were both welcoming and practical.

How Did Mats Inc. Expand?

Mats Inc. expanded steadily throughout the 1980s and 1990s through new product lines, larger warehouses, and expanded national sales territories. As more employees and distribution centers were added, the company strengthened its ability to serve customers across diverse industries and meet growing commercial flooring needs.

Growth and Innovation

Innovation guided Mats Inc. as it entered new markets and introduced resilient flooring, stair treads, specialty flooring, and advanced entrance systems. The company continuously refined products designed for performance and long-term durability, ensuring they met the evolving expectations of architects, designers, and facility teams.

Mats Inc. Biggest Milestones

Major milestones included the early adoption of multi-zoned entrance systems, entry into the sports and contract flooring segments, and the acquisition of a 124,000-square-foot warehouse to support national growth. The company’s 2015 move into a new headquarters further demonstrated its long-term investment in people, products, and customer experience.

New Commercial Flooring Applications

New applications emerged as Mats Inc. expanded into hospitality, healthcare, corporate, and retail environments. Each solution was designed to handle demanding use cases, ensuring clean and safe interiors for customers and employees.

Contract Flooring

Contract flooring became a major growth area, offering materials like LVT, sheet vinyl, rubber flooring, linoleum, and bio-polyurethane. These surfaces supported high-traffic interiors and brought modern design options to spaces that needed durability.

Sports Flooring

Sports flooring introduced specialized surfacing for gyms, recreational environments, and athletic training facilities. Mats Inc. provided resilient floors designed to withstand impact while supporting athlete safety and long-term performance.

New Mats Inc. Products Launched Throughout the Years

Over the decades, Mats Inc. added flexible vinyl foot grilles, fibered plank grilles, new runners, walk-off systems, and a wide range of specialty flooring products. These additions helped customers find solutions built to meet unique performance needs.

Warehouse Expansion

The company expanded warehousing into Massachusetts, Georgia, and Minnesota to increase stocking depth and improve service nationwide. These facilities supported efficient distribution and made it easier for customers to find products quickly.

Partnerships

Mats Inc. formed strategic partnerships with premier global flooring manufacturers, becoming the exclusive North American distributor for design-forward brands like Bolon, PURLINE and Parador. These relationships strengthened the company’s position in the industry and expanded its offering of premium flooring solutions.

Leadership Through the Years

Leadership evolved from the Schiffmann family to seasoned executives who helped guide the business through significant growth. Barry Hume, hired in 1996 and later returning as President and CEO, played a key role in refining strategy and reinforcing the company’s commitment to quality and service. This leadership continuity helped Mats Inc maintain its core values while adapting to industry change.

The Values and Culture at Mats Inc.

Mats Inc. built a culture centered on integrity, customer relationships, and a commitment to service. The company emphasized clean, well-maintained spaces and solutions designed to improve safety, wellness, and long-term performance. Employees across the organization focused on supporting customers, ensuring products met strict standards and were easy for teams to maintain.

The Past Decade of Mats Inc.

In the last decade, Mats Inc. expanded its specialty flooring, contract flooring, and entrance systems while investing in digital tools and customer experience improvements. With more than 50 years in the industry, the company strengthened its reputation for reliability, versatility, and well-designed solutions built for both indoor and outdoor applications.

From Mats Inc. to Matter Surfaces

The transition from Mats Inc. to Matter Surfaces marked the next chapter in the company’s evolution as it unified products, teams, and digital experiences under one brand. This shift preserved the legacy of Mats Inc while giving customers an easier way to explore flooring solutions across all categories through a single, modern platform.

Mats Inc. Becomes a Commercial Flooring Brand

As part of the transition, Mats Inc. became a dedicated Matter Surfaces brand focused on entrance systems and high-performance matting. This purposeful and focused integration allowed customers to find products, request samples, and review specifications more easily, ensuring continuity of the Mats Inc. legacy within a broader, design-driven flooring portfolio.

Looking Ahead Into The Future of Mats Inc.

Looking forward, Mats Inc. continues as a trusted specialty brand within Matter Surfaces, committed to quality, sustainability, and customer-focused design. As the industry evolves, the legacy of Mats Inc. will continue influencing how Matter Surfaces develops and delivers flooring solutions for the next generation of commercial spaces.

Have questions about Mats Inc. products or offerings? Contact us and our team will be happy to assist with your project.