Project Description
Retail & Contract CMF
Color Materials Finishes
Research, Design & Development
Select Brands: Herman Miller, Trading Spaces, Martha Stewart Whalen Furniture
Retailers: Costco, Staples, Home Depot
Best-Seller: Herman Miller CMF
DESIGNED IN SUCCESS
The Challenge
Product line complexity and costs were not in line with profitability. Certain color materials finishes were not selling in enough volume frequently enough to make it worth continuing to support stocking, but large clients had standardized on them and expected service. Challenged with cutting the color materials finishes SKU count down significantly without upsetting too many interior designers and clients.
The Solution
Through careful planning and redesign, the SKU count was reduced down from 600 to 300 SKUs, 80 of which were new bridge designs that helped clients move from the older, slow-moving styles. All materials were re-designed for mass customization and non-obsolescence – meaning they were engineered to be able to be discontinued but easily recreated from core components. The program was so well received that it achieved year one revenue in six months.