Success Stories
Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mat™ Spells Relief for Sore Backs
According to Edmonton's Tom Van der Weide, "The trademarked
name says it all, what it is and what it does."
In fact, Mr. Van der Weide's Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mat™ is
now the industry standard in retail outlets, manufacturing facilities,
hotels, hospitals, chemical and medical laboratories and product showrooms
across Canada. And to think, it all began behind a grocery counter.
Like
workers in many other industries, Mr. Van der Weide says that it is
not uncommon for those in the grocery trade to spend hours on
their feet every day. Standing for prolonged periods of time can
cause blood to pool in the lower extremities leading to fatigue. For
some,
it can also lead to painful disorders caused by jarring and stress
to the ankles, knees and spine. Thankfully, Mr. Van der Weide has
found a solution.
"The unique design of the Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mats™ promotes
frequent small contractions of the back and leg muscles," explains
Mr. Van der Weide. "Those small contractions stimulate blood flow
to the foot and leg muscles even while a person is standing in a stationary
position."
More circulation means less fatigue. However, the Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue
Mat™ is much more than ergonomically sound, according to Mr. Van
der Weide. Co-winner of the 1999 Manning Award for Innovation, he explains
that his mats also contribute to employee safety and morale.
"That's a bonus for employers given that happy workers often translate
into higher productivity, lower absenteeism and fewer Worker Compensation
claims."
The Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mat™ actually began its life in
Tom Van der Weide's 11 square meter garage. After experimenting with
a variety of materials, he hit upon a design that did the job so well
that the clerks in the store where he tested his prototype wouldn't let
him take it away.
In order to secure his intellectual property in the product, Mr. Van
der Weide sought the advice of his lawyer. Together, they decided that
rather than patenting his invention, they would protect the name only.
Mr. Van der Weide explains, "Even though some copycats have since
come onto the market — particularly in the United States — by
registering the Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mats™ name, we are able
to stay ahead of the competition by continually improving and adapting
our product."
In fact, after the original Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mat™ came
a more durable version and then one that was a little more aesthetically
pleasing. As word spread, requests began to come in for mats that worked
well in either a wet or dry environment. Then came the static-free mat
for high-tech manufacturing, the anti-microbial mat for hospitals, the
playground mat for children and many more. The mat is now offered in
a total of 78 different colours.
According to Mr. Van der Weide and son TJ, who now helps run
the business, the Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mat™ almost sells itself. The key,
they say, is continual improvement. And while their product has evolved
over the years and the company has long since outgrown the family garage,
father Tom Van der Weide notes that there is one constant: the highly
respected Comfort Plus Anti-Fatigue Mats™ name.
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