Fine Furniture Design Completes Major Enhancements To Manufacturing Operations
Furniture World News Desk on
3/15/2016
Fine Furniture Design has recently announced a $4-million investment in new equipment at its Shanghai, China, factory. The enhancements, which have been implemented over the past six months, include the installation of new computerized numerical control (CNC) equipment and a complete conversion of the finish line to water-based finishes.
“These new capabilities will improve our efficiencies and allow us to manufacture more environmentally friendly, on-trend products with extreme accuracy,” says Brian Ohlrich, president of Fine Furniture (Shanghai) Limited. “It also represents a significant investment, which reflects our ongoing commitment to a continued presence in China.”
The state-of-the-art CNC equipment includes multiple new lathes, mills and routers, thereby providing increased design capabilities, speed, precision and manufacturing consistency.
“By producing an incredible array of intricate and complex designs, the equipment broadens our capability to offer a wider assortment of products,” he says. “From intricate traditional carvings to clean and precise contemporary design elements, these machines do everything more efficiently. Reduced set up times allows for more customization while improving productivity and quality. Greater accuracy also means less waste, which ultimately benefits pricing.
“For example, CNC equipment can deliver the extreme precision required for a straight-plane veneered piece of furniture with complex miters, so our people can focus on providing the
personal, highly skilled touch that elevates our products and makes them distinctive in the marketplace,” Ohrich says.
The company also recently completed a full-scale conversion to water-based finishing, in keeping with new government standards. “From the research and planning stages through installation and testing, this has been an enormous undertaking,” Ohlrich adds. “In our search to find the highest quality finishing materials available, suppliers have told us that this is the most state-of-the-art water-based finish line that they have ever seen. We’re extremely proud of that appraisal.”
In addition to being environmentally friendly, the water-based finishes are clearer, more durable and easily repaired. Existing finishes also have been reformulated so that all furniture produced is now water-based.
“Throughout the conversion process we have completed extensive quality testing to assure that the new finishes meet our standards,” says Eric Graham, president of Fine Furniture Design. “To our customers and to the consumer, the new finishes will be virtually indistinguishable from the previous oil-based finishes.
“Improvements in water-based finishes and finishing equipment have come a long way in just the past few years,” he says. “We want our dealers to know that this is the most modern finish available in the industry today, and we hope that they are as excited as we are as we launch these more durable and environmentally friendly finishes.”
“To stay competitive in today’s market, it’s a matter of constantly reading the signs of what’s coming next,” Ohlrich says. “From trends and technology to government regulations, we are investing what it takes to stay several steps ahead. Our guiding mission is always to surpass where our competitors are, and we will never stop investing in areas that will advance our quality, efficiency and advantage in the industry.”
More about Fine Furniture Design: Fine Furniture Design is dedicated to the core principles of providing the best quality, craftsmanship and value in home furnishings today, with superior design and unequalled standards at every stage of manufacturing – from the forest to the stores. Creating precisely crafted case goods and upholstered furniture for homes around the world, its home furnishings are produced in its company-owned manufacturing operations in Shanghai, China. For more information, visit
www.ffdm.com.