Naturepedic was founded in 2003 after SSA Board member Barry A. Cik researched available crib mattresses for his first grandchild and could not find a single crib mattress that was made without questionable chemicals, potential allergens or hazardous flame retardants. As a Board-Certified Environmental Engineer with a long-standing record of advocacy for safer products, Barry co-founded Naturepedic with his sons Jeff and Jason to offer parents better mattress options for their babies.
Over the past 16 years Naturepedic has grown from specializing in crib mattresses and baby sleep products to offering certified organic mattresses and accessories for the entire family. Starting with direct sales to consumers and a focus on baby, toddlers and kids stores, Naturepedic has since become an international marketer selling through hundreds of retail locations including brand name furniture stores, department stores and boutique sleep shops. This growing Naturepedic organic brand has emerged as a retail leader as well, by reaching discerning consumers in key markets with specialized Organic Mattress Galleries. Due to factory innovation and targeted marketing initiatives, Naturepedic is also able to offer direct-to-consumer and convenient bed-in-a-box organic options at a variety of mid and premium price points.
Over the years, Naturepedic has demonstrated its commitment to health, wellness and sustainability not only through the materials and manufacturing processes the company adopts, but also through verified, established and recognized certifications and awards, as well as effective outreach demonstrated through advocacy and memberships in quality organizations.
Naturepedic has passed numerous rigorous certification inspections to obtain such widely recognized certifications as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the Textile Exchange Organic Cotton Standard (OCS-100), the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), FSC, Rain Rorest Alliance , Made Safe, Greenguard, Sustainability Furnishings Council GOLD standard and more. Naturepedic has also received numerous rewards from recognized environmental groups. Naturepedic has also played a vital role in the business community and society at large by participating in groups such as the Specialty Sleep Association (SSA), the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
As much as Naturepedic has demonstrated the company to be a credible leader by embracing recognized and established organic standards, the company “goes beyond the standard organic requirements,” according to founder Barry Cik. “Prime examples are that we use no chemical flame retardants or flame barriers whatsoever. Also we use no glues and no adhesives in our mattresses” says Cik. “We pass FR testing using natural materials and construction techniques that fully comply with organic standards.” Cik notes that it is always fun to give factory tours to certifiers and guests who comment that they’ve never toured a mattress factory that is absent the odors and off-gassing common to factories that use petroleum-based foams, chemicals and glues.
With the company’s eye firmly on the needs and desires of today’s discerning consumer, Cik reminds the SSA that ‘ “healthy sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle, and Naturepedic is proud to offer the highest quality mattresses handmade by Amish craftspeople in Chagrin Falls, Ohio for the best night’s sleep.”