BERKELEY, Calif.–Founded here in 1984, The Companion Group has returned to its birthplace, having opened its new corporate headquarters here at 9th and Gilman streets. It previously had offices first in Oakland and then Emeryville, Calif. The company also has a warehouse in Hayward, Calif., and an office in Hong Kong.
The housewares company, which designs and manufactures grilling, pizza-making and other cooking and outdoor living products, also updated its logo to reflect the company’s sharpened focus on the cookware/bakeware category, a company spokesperson said.
“It’s such a good feeling to be working again in Berkeley after all these years. I am a sixties kind of guy, so being smack-dab in the middle of this incredibly unique, diverse community truly appeals to me and to our dedicated staff, many of whom are also Berkeley residents,” said Chuck Adams, founder and chief executive officer. “Doug [Fielding, founder] and I see this move as an important step in strengthening the mission of our company: to continually grow our business with consistent innovative product design while also providing a comfortable, dynamic workplace built with a thoughtful eye towards our impact on the local and global environment.”
Adams and Fielding started the business selling chimney-style charcoal starters to local retailers door-to-door. Now, the company has grown with a brand portfolio that includes Charcoal Companion, Steven Raichlen Best of Barbecue, pizzacraft and Planet Barbecue.