Mat Zero Case Study
Published 11th June 2026
Supporting Mat Zero’s Journey from Product Vision to Manufacture
A collaborative partnership built around innovation, technical development and flexible manufacturing.
Mat Zero was founded with a clear purpose: to create a smarter, more efficient way to keep people warm.
Led by Founder and Designer Sri Hollema, Mat Zero has developed an innovative heated mat designed to provide targeted warmth where traditional heating may not be practical, accessible or efficient. The product reflects Sri’s strong design thinking, technical understanding and commitment to creating solutions with real-world impact.
By the time Mat Zero began working with Redwood TTM, the concept was already well considered. Sri and the Mat Zero team understood the core elements the product would need to bring together, including textiles, insulation and welded construction. What they needed was a manufacturing partner that could help develop those ideas further, explore the practical production requirements and support the transition from concept to manufacture.
Redwood’s role was to work alongside Mat Zero, combining Sri’s product vision with Redwood’s manufacturing knowledge, technical experience and flexible approach to product development.
The challenge: finding the right manufacturing partner
For Mat Zero, finding the right UK manufacturing partner was an important step.
This was not a case of handing over a fixed template and simply asking a supplier to produce it. The product was still developing, and Sri wanted a partner that could collaborate, advise and help refine the manufacturing approach as the design progressed.
Sri explained:
“We were looking for manufacturers to grow with us and learn from, in order to improve our product.”
Redwood stood out because of its quality, professionalism and willingness to engage with the development process.
“Redwood really stood out to us in terms of quality, professionalism and willingness to actually develop the product as well.”
This collaborative mindset was essential. Mat Zero had the product purpose, design direction and technical ambition. Redwood was able to support that with practical manufacturing input and an understanding of how the product could be made effectively.
From design thinking to production detail
Sri brought a clear vision for the product and a strong understanding of what it needed to achieve.
The development process involved taking that vision and working through the practical details of production. Sri shared early ideas and sketches, while Redwood’s team helped translate those into samples, drawings and manufacturing solutions.
This gave Mat Zero the opportunity to test ideas, review construction methods and refine the product without losing sight of the original design intent.
Sri described the process positively:
“In terms of taking the design vision into reality, it was really smooth and a real joy to work with.”
Redwood’s technical team supported the process by helping turn creative and functional ideas into practical manufacturing steps. This included considering how materials would be joined, how the product would be constructed and how changes could be accommodated as the design developed.
Open, honest and supportive collaboration
A key part of the partnership was transparency.
Sri already had product-design experience, but working with Redwood gave Mat Zero additional insight into manufacturing processes and what would be required to produce the product consistently.
Sri said:
“Redwood were very open and honest about how things work, which was really great. The transparency was really good for building trust.”
This helped create a working relationship where ideas could be discussed openly and both sides could contribute their expertise.
Mat Zero brought the innovation and product ambition. Redwood helped support the next stage by offering practical advice, technical input and honest guidance on what could work in production.
Flexibility during early-stage growth
For an innovative product, development does not always move straight into high-volume production.
Mat Zero needed the ability to start with samples and smaller production quantities while the product continued to evolve and demand grew. Redwood’s flexible approach helped make this possible.
Sri explained:
“You need to start with a few samples and low volume in order to get there. That has been really great because not a lot of manufacturers allow that flexibility.”
This flexibility gave Mat Zero room to develop at the right pace, without being forced into a rigid manufacturing model too early.
It also meant design changes could be considered and implemented as the product progressed.
Building repairability into the product
Repairability is an important part of Mat Zero’s design thinking.
Rather than creating a product that must be discarded when a component needs replacing, the design has been developed with longevity in mind.
Sri explained:
“In terms of the design, we’ve made it repairable. That’s an important feature for us.”
Redwood supported this principle by helping accommodate repairability within the manufacturing approach. This ensured that the product’s construction aligned with Mat Zero’s wider values and practical performance requirements.
Material selection was also part of the collaborative process, with samples reviewed and considered before decisions were made.
The outcome
The relationship between Mat Zero and Redwood has developed from early-stage conversations into manufacturing support.
Mat Zero continues to lead with a strong purpose, thoughtful design and a clear understanding of the impact its product can have. Redwood has supported that journey by contributing technical manufacturing knowledge, flexible production support and practical development input.
Sri described Redwood as:
“Supportive, professional and helpful.”
She has also recommended Redwood to others working on design and manufacturing projects.
“If it is something else for another design or another project, then absolutely, I would recommend Redwood.”
A balanced partnership
Mat Zero’s success is rooted in Sri Hollema’s innovation, design expertise and commitment to creating a product with genuine purpose.
Redwood’s role has been to support that vision with manufacturing insight, technical development and the flexibility needed to help move the product forward.
Together, the partnership shows how strong product design and practical manufacturing knowledge can work side by side to support innovation.
About Mat Zero
Mat Zero develops heated mats designed to provide targeted warmth in a more efficient and adaptable way.
The product is built around practical use, repairability and the idea of warming the person rather than the surrounding space. Its development reflects a wider commitment to thoughtful, purpose-led design.
About Redwood TTM
Redwood TTM supports businesses with specialist textile manufacturing, technical product development and flexible production solutions.
Working with customers from early-stage concepts through to manufacture, Redwood helps turn strong product ideas into practical, production-ready solutions while respecting the design vision behind them.
