Refining a Legacy: Versteel updates Companion Seating line ahead of 30th anniversary

Versteel announced a new chapter in the story of its iconic Companion seating collection.

First introduced in 1996, Companion marked a significant milestone for Versteel, as it was the metal furniture company’s first seating series. Nearly 30 years later, Companion’s familiar silhouette and trusted performance remain a fixture in public spaces across the country. While the design has stood the test of time, a closer look shows how Versteel continues to refine this collection to meet the ever-changing standards for sustainability, process control, and user comfort.

With durable steel construction and contoured seats and backs, Companion provides support while ensuring long-lasting performance in high-traffic spaces. Companion is a large family of seating options with expansive choices, inviting customization, and a cohesive aesthetic that suits public and learning spaces.

What began as a small collection of chairs has evolved into a comprehensive line that supports diverse environments and purposes. Stools were added to Companion a few years after its initial launch, followed later by bariatric and youth models, extending comfort and reliability to even more spaces and users.

More recently, Companion has undergone a series of thoughtful, behind-the-scenes updates that reinforce Versteel’s commitment to craftsmanship and American manufacturing. The distinctive urethane armcaps, once outsourced, are now molded entirely in-house by Versteel.

In addition to strengthening supply chain resilience, this transition has led to improvements in the armcaps themselves. The new urethane is more pliable, providing a comfortable, secure grip while retaining durability and cleanability. In-house production also enables the offering of a broader range of colors, providing designers with greater freedom to match or contrast with project palettes.

The urethane armcap option has also been added to Companion’s bariatric models, supporting use in healthcare and any setting where cleanability and comfort are essential.

Another update to Companion is to its wood components, which are now crafted by an American manufacturer with deep expertise in bent wood production. This partnership brings generations of skill and technical precision to each chair, delivering exceptional strength and consistency.

With this change, Companion joins a growing list of Versteel products sourced entirely in the United States. Aside from textiles, which vary by vendor and pattern selection, every material used in Companion is now procured within five hundred miles of Versteel’s Indiana facilities. This localized sourcing reduces transportation emissions while supporting a more circular and transparent supply chain.

Though these refinements may be subtle, they speak to the heart of Versteel’s philosophy: great design doesn’t just endure the test of time; it evolves with it. Companion remains true to its original promise of providing welcoming, durable, and easy-to-maintain seating for lobbies, waiting areas, healthcare settings, educational spaces, and beyond. With expanded options for designers and greater control over sourcing, Companion is more equipped than ever to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

“This collection has come a long way,” said Scott Schwinghammer, President of Versteel. “I’m proud of the team that continues to make it better over time. Companion it isn’t just a chair. It represents who we are and how we work.”