About Us
Hughes Customat, Inc. began providing the St. Louis area with custom mat services in November 1974 when Gene Hughes started the business in the basement of their St. Louis home.
The fledgling business quickly outgrew the basement of the house, and Gene purchased his first building on North and South Road in University City, Mo. In the mid 1980s he purchased the building next door and moved everything a few feet to the north.
Hughes Customat, Inc. was the first company in the St. Louis area to specialize in mat service. Today, we are still completely dedicated to focusing on mat services. Many of our employees have been with us for more than 20 years. We continue to operate as a family business. We know that without our people, we do not have a company.
Now managed by the second generation, we continue to take pride in our work and provide excellent mat service to approximately 2000 properties and businesses.
Becky Hughes
Hughes Customat, Inc. was founded when Becky was a toddler and she has been a part of the company since the very beginning. It’s been said she learned to count and fold bar and shop towels at the age of 4 or 5. She worked for the company part-time during the summers while in high school and college, but never saw the family business as being a future career. After being out of college for a few years she came on board in March 2000 intending to stay a short time while figuring out “what she wanted to be when she grew up”. To her surprise and being able to fill some needs within the company, she stayed and has been leading Hughes Customat, Inc. as President since 2017
Along with a great team in place, Becky oversees day-to-day operations including vendor relations, customer relations, employee relations, budgeting, and business development. Even though day-to-day sales is no longer her main focus, she will do in-person consultations as time permits for prospective customers due to her knowledge and problem solving skills when it comes to matting
Becky is a graduate of the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies as well as earning an MBA from Lindenwood University. She completed the Executive Management Institute (EMI), a multi-year continuing education program for executives, managers, and owners in the industrial laundry industry. She served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Textile Rental Association from 2010-2019 and on the BOMA St. Louis Board of Directors for the 2018-2019 term.
Becky Hughes
President
“I love the relationships and dear friendships I have developed over the years with the customers, vendors and employees. As time goes on, I appreciate more every day the opportunity and absolute privilege to continue something started by my father more than 50 years ago.”
Matt Hughes
Matt officially joined Hughes Customat in 2007 after many summers working in the laundry department and delivering mats. He currently oversees marketing, graphic design and customer relations, but every now and then you may see him back in a truck out on delivery routes.
He’s the creative behind the designs for custom logo mat and all marketing materials, regularly using his knowledge from earning a bachelor of arts degree from Webster University. He is also involved in projects related to internal operations and participates in BOMA and IREM activities when time permits,
He enjoys working at Hughes Customat, Inc. because he is continuing his family legacy.
Matt Hughes
Marketing Manager, Vice President
“Being a part of the business my father started 45 years ago is a very special thing, and I am very proud to be a part of a family business.”
Gene Hughes
St. Louis native, Gene Hughes, founded Hughes Customat, Inc. in 1974. When the company first began Gene was responsible for not only selling the services and delivering the mats, but would then go home at night and clean them to be delivered to customers. These days, Gene advises management, checks the numbers and makes sure the entire operation is running smoothly and efficiently.
During his professional career, Gene was one of the founding members of the Dust Control Association (DCA), which is now a part of the Independent Textile Rental Association (ITRA). He also served as one of the first presidents of the Dust Control Association from 1986-1987. He also built a regionally recognizable name in “The Mat Man.”
In Gene’s free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife on their boat in Kentucky. The two of them enjoy taking several excursions each year. They also thoroughly enjoy spending time with their 4 grandchildren and make a point to spend as much time as possible with them.
Gene Hughes
Founder, CEO and Chairman
“I’m so proud to watch my children continue the company I started decades ago — and make it better.”
Community Involvement
- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) St. Louis Walk 2024 – Brighter Future Sponsor
- Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) St. Louis Dream Gala 2025-Emerald Sponsor
- Barnes-Jewish St. Peters & Progress West Foundation Ribbon Of Hope Community Sponsor 2022, 2023, 2024
- Buddy Fund Event Sponsor
VJs Fund Trivia Night Sponsor - BOMA St. Louis Annual Sliver Sponsor since 2016
- IREM St. Louis Industry Partner since 2002
- Boma Irem participation – Charity Golf outings, Trade shows