One of the worst problems many companies are living with today is the global supply chain crisis that has occurred after the Covid-19 pandemic. The rapid and unexpected rebound of demand has led to chaos, resulting in delays and shortages of goods.
Therefore, if you want to receive the custom wood products you ordered on time, you should rely on a manufacturer in your own country.
Let’s discuss the topic in the following article.
Custom wood products: why you should choose an American or a European manufacturer
Today, relying on Asian suppliers for finished products is a great risk. This problem is explained in detail in this video from WION:
Producing in your own country—whether in Europe or the U.S.—is not only possible but also a great advantage in terms of:
- quality
- cost optimization
- shortening lead time
- possibility of customization
Creating custom wood products is not easy, as wood manufacturing processes are quite complicated. Each essence has specific characteristics and structural limits that require knowledge, competency, and advanced machines and tools. Moreover, as wood moves, you must consider its specific tolerances to create precise and functional final products.
Also, the moisture level of the logs is important to avoid breakage and ensure a clean milling process and high dimensional stability.
If wood has a high percentage of humidity, shape and volume may warp over time. You need special drying chambers to ensure the correct degree of exsiccation before production.
Only a U.S. or European multinational wood manufacturing company that:
- operates exclusively in the timber sector
- knows the raw material very well
- invests a lot in the latest machinery
can create premium custom wood products.
Also consider the importance of communicating constantly with your partner
Your supplier should be at your disposal whenever necessary, especially during the design phase, when it is crucial to work together to:
- find the best solutions to give shape to your project
- identify possible problems and issues
- look for ways to solve them
Distance can therefore be a problem.
Choosing a supplier in your own country will make communication easier, avoiding misunderstanding and possible problems resulting in unexpected costs and longer delivery times.
How can a European Union or U.S. supplier let you have your wood products on time?
Receiving your custom wooden components on time is critical to start selling them as scheduled and begin recovering your investment.
Waiting even six or seven months to get them can be a serious problem for your and your clients’ business and profits.
Choosing a multiplant manufacturing company with production plants in both Europe and the U.S. lets you get your products on time, as if some major damage occurs at one of the plants, it can quickly switch production to another plant without any negative consequences for clients.
You should also ensure that your supplier has an internal warehouse where the raw material is stored: if the supplier must buy it externally, lead time will be longer.
Some suppliers can also provide customizable private stocking solutions, manufacturing custom wood products in advance and storing them in their warehouses. In this way, delivery will be virtually instantaneous.
Moreover, whereas most manufacturers use multipurpose production equipment, a U.S./European reliable supplier will be able to set up dedicated production lines to fit the specific needs of each custom wood product.
Dedicated production lines let the wood maker produce wooden components in small lots and apply the desired finish on demand.
It means that:
- you won’t need an expensive warehouse, as the supplier will produce only when required
- you can create half-processed wooden products
- and then complete the finishing process according to market trends and customers’ requirements with a higher probability of success
Since 1937, Minelli S.p.A. has ensured perfection in the quality and design of each product manufactured, relying on the experience of our employees, the most innovative tools, and consolidated wood manufacturing processes.
We use only the latest generation of customized and made-for-purpose CNC machines that provide consistent dimensional and finishing results even at a very high production volume.
Many of our machines are unique and custom-made.
We developed our own Manufacturing Execution System (MES) so that our planning department can have an accurate estimation of production at each stage: this is essential for accurate cost estimation during the pilot period, comprehensive management of overall production lead time, and being able to react timely to any inconvenience that may occur.
In case any problems occur, our product managers receive instant notification so that they can take the necessary measures to ensure precision and punctuality.
We have production plants in both Europe and the U.S., and we can provide customizable private stocking solutions to guarantee just in time delivery.
Moreover, our internal R&D department constantly observes the market to develop innovative finishing options according to actual demand.
If you are looking for premium custom wood products, don’t hesitate to contact us! Our experts will be glad to evaluate your plan and help shape your idea.
