Tuft & Needle Brand: What you need to know

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Why Choose Tuft & Needle?

Why Choose Tuft & Needle?

Tuft & Needle was founded in 2012 by Daehee Park and John-Thomas Marino, who had become friends while studying at Penn State. They believed there was a better way to make and sell mattresses. They wanted to give customers the ability to purchase mattresses without excessive markups and provide excellent customer service. Their goal was to improve the overall purchasing experience and provide their customers with transparency, unlike many competitors at the time. Tuft & Needle mattresses are known for delivering high quality at budget prices.

History

The initial idea to create a mattress company was sparked by John-Thomas. He had a negative experience purchasing a mattress that was overpriced, uncomfortable, and difficult to return, and he knew there had to be a better way.

When thinking about beginning the company, John-Thomas talked to his neighbor, a master upholsterer who was experienced in making mattresses. She invited him to spend some time working with her, and he learned how to make a mattress by hand.

The mattress he learned to make was simple. It included fabric, cotton, and cotton batting. It was sewn together with thread and needles and used a tufting style of workmanship. Tufting is a method where the thread ends up on the inside of a product, improving durability.

John-Thomas spoke with his friend from Penn State about his ideas. With backgrounds in software engineering, Daehee and John-Thomas started a simple website to see if people were interested in buying a mattress online. It turns out they were, and the company’s sales rose to 170 million within five years.

Founding and Milestones

Daehee and John-Thomas had first met at Penn State four years before founding Tuft & Needle. In 2012, Tuft & Needle was launched in Phoenix, Arizona. The entrepreneurs each invested $3,000 of their own money.

The founders of Tuft & Needle, Daehee Park (left) and John-Thomas Marino, seated outside their storefront

Only a year later, in 2013, Tuft & Needle reached $1 million in sales. This is also the year they hired their first staff member.

In 2014, Tuft & Needle began receiving press calling the company an “industry disruptor.” This year marked the launch of their first online competitor. Tuft & Needle’s first retail store opened in Phoenix, and the company expanded to 13 employees. This is also the first year Tuft & Needle developed and started using its T&N Adaptive Foam. They received favorable notice from Gizmodo, which called their product a “Product of the Future.”

By 2015 Tuft & Needle was receiving high marks for customer satisfaction. Their scores beat out companies such as Apple and Southwest, two companies renowned for high customer satisfaction. Revenue reached the $80 million mark, and by the end of the year, the staff had grown to 80.

In 2016 Tuft & Needle launched its second type of product, a pillow.

By 2017 the company’s revenue was $170 million. It opened new retail locations in Seattle, WA, Scottsdale, AZ, and Gilbert, AZ. Additionally, Tuft & Needle won the Entrepreneur’s Company Culture Award.

In 2018, Tuft & Needle launched several new products, including the Mint Mattress, linen sheets, and a down duvet. This is also the year it merged with Serta Simmons Bedding. The founders said the merger with Serta was able to elevate their mission and brought their combined experience in the bedding industry to 220 years.

In 2019 Tuft & Needle was certified as a great place to work and opened up three more retail locations in Raleigh, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; and Dallas, Texas.

Production and Manufacturing

Tuft & Needle offers a wide variety of products, most notably mattresses. The company provides multiple types of mattresses, including the T&N Original Mattress, the Mint Mattress, and the Hybrid Mattress. All Tuft & Needle mattresses feature T&N Adaptive Foam, which offers cooling comfort and bounce-back support.

Products

A woman lounges on a Tuft & Needle Original Mattress

The T&N Original Mattress features pressure relief and breathability. It includes Tuft & Needle’s patented T&N Adaptive Foam and over 6 inches of foundational support foam. This foam works to prevent body impressions while helping the sleeper stay cool. It contains Open-Cell Cooling Technology, allowing for air circulation within the mattress. The firmness level for this mattress is medium firm, and support is consistent throughout. The cover is made of plush and breathable material.

The Mint Mattress includes a washable cover and is designed for two sleepers. It is unique as it also contains 2 inches of denser T&N Adaptive Foam along with a ceramic cooling gel. The firmness level of this mattress is medium, and the cover is made of a knit material, making removal easy for washing. This mattress offers better support for edge-of-bed sleepers or those who have difficulty getting out of bed.

The Mint Mattress, like many other Tuft & Needle products, also features the UL GREENGUARD GOLD certification. This certification shows that the product is compliant with the strictest chemical emissions standards. Additionally, the Mint Mattress passes regulations for CertiPUR-US®. This shows that the foam used is low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and the product tested is free of known harmful chemicals.

Meanwhile, the Hybrid Mattress includes a high level of support with its responsive foam. In fact, it includes five layers of foam. It features 1 inch of nano coil springs and 6 inches of pocket springs. The firmness level of this mattress is medium soft. The edges are firmer along the outside, and the cover is quilted, providing extra durability. The mattress is specifically designed to prevent the development of indentations from body weight over time.

Tuft & Needle sells mattress accessories, including a mattress protector and mattress topper. A mattress topper assists when a mattress feels too firm, while a mattress protector ensures that the mattress remains stain-free and in good condition.

The mattress protector protects a mattress against stains. Tuft & Needle says that, unlike some protectors, this one will not cause crinkling sounds during the night. While the mattress protector fits snugly, removal is quick and easy when it needs a wash.

The mattress topper is marketed for those who want a softer feel to their mattress. The mattress topper is reported to assist with relieving pressure points throughout the body. Tuft & Needle mattress toppers are compatible with other mattress brands.

Tuft & Needle does not only sell mattresses. The company has also branched out to include a wellness category of items that help sleep and well-being work together. Under this category, they sell items such as the Loftie Alarm Clock. This alarm clock helps users wake up more naturally, using a two-phase alarm system. Additionally, it offers white noise, stories, sound baths, a nightlight, and Bluetooth speaker functionality.

Tuft & Needle also sells a white noise machine. This white noise machine is 98% more efficient than a box fan and features adjustable tone and volume.

Meditation can improve sleep quality. Tuft & Needle sells meditation cushions that allow users to practice meditation more comfortably and relieve pressure points.

The skincare line of products from Tuft & Needle includes pillow sprays, dark spot sleeping cream, and overnight recovery balm, among others.

Finally, Tuft & Needle sells furniture. Under their furniture category, they sell items from bed frames and headboards to dog beds. Their dog bed has a foam base similar to the material included in Tuft & Needle mattresses.

A popular-selling item within this category includes the Essential Platform Bed Frame. It can be used in a variety of settings, and a headboard is optional. It includes a powder-coated steel frame and has 7 inches of clearance, allowing for under-bed storage.

Tuft & Needle sells a nightstand that features a minimalist design made from hardwood. It is meant to be compact yet adds a small amount of storage space.

Manufacturing

Tuft & Needle mattresses are produced in the United States of America. After the company’s merger with Serta Simmons Bedding, Serta began producing its mattresses.

A production worker sews a seam in a Tuft & Needle mattress

Key Facts

As consumers think about how to choose the right mattress, many consider the materials and chemicals it contains. All Tuft & Needle mattresses are produced without any known harmful chemicals. Many Tuft & Needle products feature the UL GREENGUARD GOLD certification and pass regulations for CertiPUR-US®.

The name Tuft & Needle was inspired by John-Thomas’s initial first experience learning to make a mattress. He made it by hand and used a large tufting needle. The founders chose this name because it sounded authentic yet timeless.

Tuft & Needle consistently receives high marks for customer service. People often comment about prompt responses from customer service and hassle-free return experiences.

Tuft & Needle recently launched a program for parents called the “Sleep Ambassador Program.” This program is meant to help parents improve their sleep wellness.

Parents who are chosen to participate in the program receive a one-on-one sleep consultation via video, a Tuft & Needle Mint Mattress with accessories included, a white noise machine, and a personal health tracking device, among other sleep-enhancing tools.

Warranty Information

Tuft & Needle mattresses, mattress toppers, and dog beds feature a 100-night sleep trial. If consumers are not happy with their Tuft & Needle purchase within that period, they can return the product for a full refund.

Additionally, Tuft & Needle offers a 10-year limited warranty. This warranty covers the original purchaser of the mattress for defects caused by defective materials or workmanship.

Check Out More Tuft & Needle From WakeUpSleepyHead

WakeUpSleepHead has more information about Tuft & Needle to explore, including reviews and product roundups.

Tuft & Needle Product Reviews

You can find our reviews of different tuft and needle products here.

Tuft & Needle Product Roundups

Check out our product roundups of Tuft & Needle mattresses. You can compare and contrast the company’s different mattress options as well as compare them against other top brands.

Tuft & Needle Press Releases

Tuft & Needle has press releases published on media platforms such as Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and Consumer Reports. These press releases have focused on a variety of topics, including the opening of Tuft & Needle’s first retail store, to their merger with Serta.