12 tips to create money-making products: WOOD 100 Strategies for Success

These leading innovators never take it easy on the job. Explore the approaches these WOOD 100 firms use for new <a href="https://shoppixy.com/i-tried-every-product-from-e-l-f-cosmetics-these-15-replaced-my-high/” title=”I Tried Every Product From e.l.f. Cosmetics—These 15 Replaced My High”>product development.

Steelcase, Grand Rapids, MI, claims its Brody WorkLounge is “the first and only microenvironment designed for the brain and the body,” helping users stay focused on what matters.

Introduced in 2015, the Brody WorkLounge stems from research indicating that during a normal day, workers or students “switch tasks every 3 minutes, get interrupted every 11 minutes and take 23 minutes to get back on task,” making sustained productivity difficult, Steelcase explained.

The piece belongs to the Intelligent Office suite of embedded technology. For instance, a sensor could trigger a red light around the chair’s edge to indicate occupancy, Steelcase noted.

Arbor Mills of Lockport, IL, a high‑end kitchen, bath and other cabinetry maker, has unified its interior cabinet organization solutions under the BIN brand. “This is an extensive systematic coordination of related accessories for cabinetry,” said president Daryl DelSasso.

The functional storage and workflow system streamlines a single drawer or a set of drawers and cabinets into organized solutions that can adapt as a user’s storage requirements change. It comprises 60 separate components for base, wall, tall cabinets and drawers.

Arbor Mills also upgraded its plant’s finishing capacity, investing in a multi‑component finishing system. Sales grew 8.3% in 2015.

Additional product ideas include:

The cabinet leader is also gaining recognition in the closet market, regularly launching new items. “Wellborn Cabinet continued key product development to meet the demands of our customers and the continued delivery and support of our product,” stated Krislyn Wellborn, PR/social media specialist.

The full‑service panel processor attributes its success to “our ability to maximize our manufacturing capabilities, and leverage our investments in technology that address emerging industry trends,” according to founder and president Andy Wilzoch. Building on the popularity of its Reflekt high‑gloss product, the company introduced two new lines—UltraMatte and Ion—without a major additional technology investment. “This allowed us stay a step ahead of our customers’ expectations as well as our industry rivals by introducing the new materials as they are gaining popularity as the latest trends in interior design,” he added.

The Maui Closet Co., Kahului, HI

President Debra Finkiewicz credits new product development with driving an 8.2% sales increase in 2015. As a maker of closets, wall beds, shoji‑style doors and more, she says the company is “always looking for new ways to design and manufacture. We refer to the new trends in products, and work to keep all in track with our clients needs.” To boost market visibility, Maui Closet wrapped its new installation van with photos of finished projects. “It is great advertising.”

TC Millwork Inc., Bensalem, PA

The store‑fixture maker created Smartwall, a UL‑listed display and perimeter wall system that uses thin wall standards and brackets to power shelves with low‑voltage LED lighting. “Those shelves are wireless to the end user, so there are no visible connections,” noted creative director Jeff Kubach.

Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, Stoddard, NH

The Manhattan Collection marks the company’s inaugural luxury wood flooring in a herringbone design. “We’ve seen an increased demand for patterned floors among our clients, though many want to use patterned flooring as a way to accent a particular room or design element in their home versus using patterned flooring throughout,” explained Dean Marcarelli, vice president & CMO.

The company, which focuses on historic wood mouldings, windows and doors, saw sales rise 9.1%. “We increased our sales focus on our high demand and unique ability products,” stated Nicole Aune, director of sales & marketing. The firm also examined items that fit this category, “and put high focus with our sales team on these products, as well as increased our marketing efforts.”

When introducing its new dental‑furniture line, A-dec reported that it worked with dental professionals to refine the pieces for better workflow and efficiency, adding integrated LED lighting and USB ports. “The furniture is an innovative fusion of technology and materials that will set the standard for the dental practice of the future,” said Ciarán Hynes, director of Dental Furniture Project Management. “It is designed to grow with the practice, and evolve along with technology and work styles.”

The firm has become the nation’s fastest‑growing concealed‑cabinet maker, offering products designed to hide firearms, jewelry and valuables, with a wide range of options.

Bush Business Furniture, Jamestown, NY

The contract‑furniture producer describes its Easy Office concept as an open‑office solution for groups ranging from one to 100 people. It is offered in seven pre‑packaged layouts, featuring pre‑installed connectors and available in straight or L‑desk configurations.

The firm keeps expanding its range of styles and finishes for peel‑and‑stick wood plank paneling, employed in both residential and commercial settings. Sales have risen steadily since the product’s 2012 launch. The success is prompting expansion into Michigan, with a planned $4.2 million investment in a distribution center.