Who's Who Feature: Matt Freeburg

Join us in getting to know TACO Seating Product Design Engineer Matt Freeburg.

In the marine industry, there’s a lot of work that goes into a boat’s upholstery long before the first stitch is sewn. Depending on the size and design of a boat, it takes a team of people to first develop a prototype pattern, which is then sent to Engineering to be digitized. This is where Product Design Engineer Matt Freeburg gets involved.

TACO Seating Product Design Engineer Matt Freeburg at his desk in the Largo, Florida production facility. 

With a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida, Freeburg came onboard in 2022 to put his CAD skills and previous industry experience to work at TACO Seating. On any given day, he is found hard at work digitizing physical patterns – creating 2D and 3D models of complete upholstery packages that will then go into production. This work involves formatting files for not only the upholstery, but also any foam or substrates related to the overall pattern for a specific boat.

The size and scope involved in this work is largely dependent on the boat, explained Freeburg.

“On the Scout 377 LXF, just the vinyl took almost a week,” said the Seminole, Florida native. “That’s the biggest boat I’ve come across so far.”

TACO Seating Product Design Engineer Matt Freeburg at the N-Hega Scanner, the first step in digitizing patterns for production.

Beyond digitizing files, Freeburg also works in managing and cleaning up customer Bill of Materials (BOM), working with vendors, and CNC router programming.

“My goal is to make the Engineering department as efficient and accurate as possible,” said Freeburg. “I do the best I can in that aspect.”

One of the things Freeburg appreciates most about TACO and its parent company Patrick Industries is its focus on work-life balance for team members. Outside of work, Freeburg spends much of his time training in the non-elite competitive rowing circuit, recreational cycling, and travel – important aspects of his life, along with his wife, Emily.

TACO Seating Product Design Engineer Matt Freeburg at the 2018 Head of the Hooch Regatta in Chattanooga, Tenn. Competing in the Men's Masters 1X ages 21 to 42, Freeburg finished 7th, respectively. 

“Work-life balance is the number one thing for me, personally, because I don’t want to get to being 60 years old and find out I missed a lot,” he said.

To be successful now and into the future at TACO, Freeburg said he is focused on bringing a positive attitude and always being open to assist others in need.

A mantra he picked up from a former coach that he applies daily is, “it never gets easier, you just get better.” 

We agree, Matt! Thank you for sharing your mantra and helping us learn about your role at TACO.