50 Years of Innovation

Today, we lead the industry in design and manufacturing bathing solutions for people of all abilities. But it wasn’t always this way.

In 1969, we were founded as Component Structures, Inc., producing industry standard bathing products such as bathtubs for new home construction. Gary Multanen joined as plant manager, eventually rose to the role of CEO and, 10 years later, purchased the company, changing its name to Bestbath.

By the early 1980s, Bestbath was thriving and growing. But one day, while visiting his aging mother, Gary had an epiphany that would change the course of our history. For months, she had struggled to get in and out her shower. Stepping over the tub, she felt at risk of slipping and falling. Gary knew that he and his team could fix her problem. He headed home to get to work.

The next 25 years resulted in some of the industry’s greatest product advancements. From the creation of the multi-piece tub replacement barrier-free shower in 1993 to the design of our award-winning 90-degree corner showers in 2016, we’ve led the industry in both design and manufacturing innovation.

Trailblazing new products is one thing. Convincing others of your vision for the future is entirely another. So Gary and his small, passionate sales team hit the road, crisscrossing the country sharing our innovations with the industry. They attended trade shows. They gave seminars. They created devotees.

The result? We grew, adding dozens of employees, expanding into a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, and growing a network of 500 retail and installation partners across North America. Today, our products are found in homes, universities and corporate campuses in every U.S. state and Canadian province. Because of our work, tens of thousands of people have enjoyed safer bathing experiences — often without even realizing it.

Importantly, even after 50 years, our commitment to innovation continues. Under the the leadership of Megan and Jay Multanen, Bestbath continues to develop showers, bathtubs, and other products that not only make bathing easier for customers but also make specifying and installing them easier for building professionals.

We’re now recognized as a leader — perhaps the leader — in accessible bathrooms. We don’t just manufacture the highest quality composite baths and showers, we create bathrooms that can be used comfortably and safely by everyone, no matter their age or ability.

A lot has changed in 50 years. But what hasn’t changed is what’s most important: our dedication to improving the lives of our employees, partners, and customers.