We like to think of ourselves as a 'Company' but really - that would be a bit too formal. This product was designed by a Veterinary Technician whose 12 year old dog "November" had hip problems and couldn't get in or out of a car or bed. She knew it had to be light so you could just toss it next to the car door - let the dog in - and toss back in the car. It had to be weatherproof - dogs don't really mind the rain or the mud when they want to go out. It had to durable - the original has been run over in the driveway a few times - and though it looks beaten around the edges - November still easily climbs in and out of the Jeep Cherokee without any problem. The design also had to give the animal confidence to use it. The 20" width was designed for just that along with a 10" height. The animal had to feel no GIVE in the step and have confidence this was a SOLID object. This was all painstakingly accomplished in the 'COMPANY'S' backyard next to the pool, which the GYPSYPETSTEP easily floats in when production quarters get a little tight. She is a woman who loves animals and created this product with loving care. It's made right here in the U.S.A. with all U.S.A components, by our college educated employee's - she has a Master's degree in children's ed and my degree is English lit - we really don't have the time to ponder how far off the beaten trail we've come from out college career goals because we're too buzy making GYPSYPETSTEPS. Her lofty goal is to help aging canine's traverst the steep entrances of today's SUV's. That goal also included pricing these helpful steps at a cost everyone could afford. For all you cat lover's, we're working on something which should take the next 10 or 12 years because it's been extremely difficult to figure out exactly what cats want - their owners can't tell us and the cats aren't being too cooperative.