Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | May 18, 2026 | wbjournal.com a small business," said Maddalene. "We've made a conscious effort to keep our New England roots, even as we've grown and expanded across the world." at emphasis on company culture was echoed by Vice President of Product Development and Pack- aging Holly Rozzen and Design Director Christina Carrozza, who both described Berkshire as having a family feeling, aligned with Madd- alene's mission of providing comfort and warmth to as many people as possible. Maddalene's favorite part of BY GREIGH CLOWARD Special to WBJ B erkshire Blanket & Home Co. relocated its head- quarters from Ware to Worcester in September, a move the company says positions it to rapidly expand while gaining access to a broader workforce, stronger transportation connections, and a growing business environment. e relocation comes as Worcester increasingly works to attract compa- nies looking beyond Greater Boston for room to grow. Berkshire lead- ers said the city's location, infra- structure, and talent pool made it a natural fit for the company's next phase. "Worcester's upwards trajecto- ry and positive environment" helped solidify the decision, said Scott Maddalene, Berkshire's CEO and president. e company's growth comes during steady expansion in the home goods industry. Driven by demand for sustainable and innovative products, the global market for home goods is expected to hit $2 trillion by 2028, averaging about 5% growth each year, accord- ing to industry data provider Allied Market Research. Business expansion Founded in 1993 in Ware, Berk- shire has evolved from a regional blanket manufacturer into a global home goods company. e business rebranded from Berk- shire Blanket to Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. to reflect its broader product offerings. e company has tripled in size over the past five years and is aiming to double again over the next five years through diversification, inter- national expansion, and a continued focus on quality, said Maddalene. Berkshire is expanding its reach in markets including Europe, South America, Asia, and Aus- tralia. Worcester offers advantages that support those ambitions, he said. Compared to Ware, the city provides access to a larger regional talent pool, allowing Berkshire to recruit employees from Worcester and sur- rounding communities as it grows. "ere's a breadth of talent in Worcester," said Timothy Murray, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of access to trans- portation, ability to draw from talent, and a diverse workforce sets Worcester apart." As the second-largest city in New England, Worcester has colleges, universities, transpor- tation access, and a growing housing market to help businesses attract employers, Murray said. Berkshire is making a deliberate effort to hire locally while accommo- dating employees and collaborators traveling from all around the world. Worcester's access to highways, airports, and hospitality infrastructure has made collaboration with global manufac- turing partners more effi- cient, said Maddalene. Keeping New England roots amid globalization Berkshire employs 88 people and produces more than 50 million units annually across its product catego- ries. While manufacturing takes place in North Carolina, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Africa, product design and development remain centered in New England. "e company still has the feel of PHOTOS | COURTESY OF BERKSHIRE BLANKET & HOME CO. Growing globally in Worcester Scott Maddalene, CEO and president of Berkshire Blanket Berkshire Blanket relocates to Worcester to fuel next phase of growth Berkshire Blanket & Home Co. moved from Ware to Worcester's Glass Tower at 446 Main St.

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