Developing new products is both an exhilarating and an exhausting challenge for a manufacturer. Determining what works, what doesn’t, and then bringing a product successfully to market is about 40% art, 40% science, and 80% luck (okay, so I wasn’t a math major, but you get my point).
About two years ago, some of our clients began using faux wicker furnishings, and encouraging us to get into that business.
We listened. We did some market research. We learned that the market was already over-crowded with dozens of importers, reps, and dealers, and we said, “No thanks”.
Then about one year ago, we started getting feedback from our clients who had purchased faux wicker furnishings. Some of the comments included: “In less than a year, the cushions are trash”. “The weave is unraveling and there is no warranty”. “The furniture is really uncomfortable”. “The floor glides wore out (or fell off) and are not replaceable”. “The frames are coming apart”.
We listened. A light bulb went on over our heads. WOW! There is a place for us in that market! That was exhilarating. Now comes the exhausting part.
Our first challenge was to find a manufacturing partner for the wicker. Our search found 472 worldwide possibilities. We needed to find an experienced and stable international partner, ISO 9000 certified…one that would manufacture products engineered by us for installation in high-traffic public areas. And we did!
At about this time, we decided that the non-wicker items (cushions, metal legs, metal trim, wood trim) would be manufactured by us locally to allow our clients the opportunity to specify fabrics and finishes on a project-specific basis.
Now we needed designs to manufacture. We were very lucky to have input from a long-time client and from a boutique Southern California design firm.
Hundreds of hours of design and engineering time later we are almost ready. Prototypes are being fine-tuned, details are being finalized, and soon you will see the results. When you do, let us hear from you, because we listen!
