4 minute read
Take a seat
from March 2020
A sore back and an old sports car gave birth to a company that puts comfort at the forefront of the gaming industry
BY KERRY FRANCIS | PHOTOS BY BRIAN KAISER
Like many avid gamers, Thomas Klein spends a lot of time in front of his computer. Back in 2009, he was fed up with his office chair and started looking for a more comfortable option. In a moment of inspiration, he pulled the bucket seat out of an old sports car he was planning to get rid of and mounted it on the base of a chair. It made all the difference.
He started thinking about selling the product to other gamers. After finding some factories that were selling car seats, and others selling base parts, NEEDforSEAT was born. The German company had a beginning similar to Apple, as its first “factory” was in a garage.
The company’s transformation to a global name came when it worked with ESL, one of the world’s largest esports companies, to set up a tournament. When the NEEDforSEAT name appeared on the chairs used at the event, the chairs went viral in the gaming community.
“People saw the product and thought it looked cool,” said Thomas Hodik, chief operating officer of NEEDforSEAT USA The company’s growth took off quickly, and the U.S. office opened in Columbus in 2012.
Hodik credits the company’s success to its partnerships and customization. The company remains true to its roots, and continues to partner with the gaming industry. Fans can see some of those partnerships right here in Columbus, such as at Gaming Arena in Hilliard and GDEX, a gaming expo that takes place in Columbus every fall.
Customization is a big part of NEEDforSEAT’s business, and something that sets them apart. In addition to offering chairs based on the users height and weight, the company offers embroidery.
“There are many chair brands, but they don’t customize to the level we do,” Hodik said.
That customization can help individual streamers—both wellknown names and average joe—increase their profiles. The company can work with a gamer to commission a logo and get a chair made in a matter of weeks. The gamer then has their own brand repping them behind their back.
More than a chair
For avid gamers, a comfortable chair is a crucial piece of equipment. Hodik said that gamer culture is survival of the fittest, and being able to sit comfortably for eight hours or more is key to performance. To solve the problem, many gamers have tried to fit overstuffed recliners under their desks. NEEDforSEAT’s chairs were, quite literally, a better fit.
“This product has become a crucial part of the culture—both professional gamers and hobby gamers,” Hodik said. “People have seen the chairs on screen and didn’t realize it was a local company.”
Not just a game
While NEEDforSEAT’s chairs were designed for gamers, they can be used by anyone. The company has partnered with universities, including Ohio State and Harvard. Consumers can purchase Ohio State-branded chairs, or test them out in the university’s new gaming lab, which is equipped with 90 of NEEDforSEAT’s chairs.
Hodik said Harvard uses the chair in one of its labs. “They said, ‘We have a really fancy microscope and we want to have a really fancy chair.’”
He said their most interesting partner is the U.S. Navy’s submarine school that all Navy personnel attend. The sailors are learning how to use a submarine with an Xbox controller and custom chairs.
“We all need chairs, but we don’t think about it. Yet we shop for and compare mattresses,” Hodik said. “A chair is at least as important as a bed. Your body will thank you.”
What’s next
NEEDforSEAT is always looking to level up, and the company has plans to continue growing its business and products. New models for its most popular chairs are coming that will feature adjustable lumbar support.
“We’re always trying to find the best way to make people comfortable,” Hodik said. “You can sit in a chair for eight hours or more, and you need to be comfortable.”
They also are looking to add accessories that enhance the gaming experience. Currently, they’re working on a wireless seat quake—a device that connects with a game console and acts as a rumble pack system for the chair. “If I throw a grenade in the game, the chair will vibrate,” Hodik said. “It immerses you in the game.”
Hodik pointed out that the company stays true to its roots and focuses on the needs of the end users. “We’re very selective about what we do,” he said. “We’d never put a speaker in our chairs, because we cater to professional and ambitious gamers, and they use headsets.”
