After working for Component Structures Inc. for nine years, Gary Multanen and a group of investors purchased the company in 1981.  He and his wife, Susan bought the company two years later and Gary has been the CEO steering the company’s direction ever since.  For six years the company focused on manufacturing bathing products for the modular home industry while also offering custom fabrication services.  Although the firm’s revenue grew, Gary was not satisfied with the bottom-line profitability.  Against the advice of suppliers, bankers, consultants and company managers, Gary chose to focus solely on bathing products and abandon the custom fabrication business.

About this time, Gary was assisting his aging mother and trying to accommodate her desire to safely remain in her own home.  A modification to her existing home was necessary - a bathing system that could accommodate the needs of seniors.  While considering the options, Gary realized there was a significant gap in the market, and in 1995, began developing a line of safe, accessible bathing units for home remodels.  These multi-piece showers, designed to be installed in a single day, allow contractors and homeowners to benefit from significantly reduced construction time.

In support of their growth, Best Bath has benefited greatly from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) products and services.  They received one SBA 7a loan and two SBA 504 loans.   Best Bath has also relied on business development counseling from the Idaho Small Business Development Center.

Best Bath experienced challenging times during the recent national recession.  Although their revenue decreased slightly during this period, Best Bath made the investment and commitment to expand the dealer network to better serve the residential market.  As the economy has recovered, this decision has proven to be very wise and has yielded an increased growth in revenue, an increase in employees from 79 in 2010 to the current level of 96 employees, and an increase in their dealers from 347 to 490 across the United States and Canada.

Even though they work hard every day, community service is paramount to the Multanens.  Gary is a major contributor to The Hope House; a charter member of the Sunrise Rotary in Boise; and has served on many local government boards.  Best Bath supports all Habitat for Humanity projects in Ada County with donated products.

Best Bath is a community small business:  built in the community, hiring locals from the community, contributing products to the community and giving back to the community. They appreciate having the SBA help them fulfill their dreams.