Supply Chain for a small cabinet/furniture maker

[richard6299]

Hi. What is the supply chain (sort of what does it look like) for a small-scale cabinet/furniture maker? Can you identify any examples of wood suppliers that would act as supply chain? Thanks.

 

[beech1948]

errrr.

Can you explain a bit more about what you envisage.....for example:-

are you a small cabinet maker of quality furniture who turns out 12 pieces a year.....if so you don't really need a supply chain

are you a small cabinetry maker working to a set patterns who turns out say 100 items a month, or 200, or 300....

You see the issue. The only supply chain provision I have seen has been into "factory" style production where the smallest unit of supply was a fully loaded artic .....

Al

 

[Rhossydd]

errrr.
Can you explain a bit more about what you envisage..

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/boxes-making-joints-with-machinery-t96083.html
Here we go again.

 

[richard6299]

errrr.
Can you explain a bit more about what you envisage..

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/boxes-making-joints-with-machinery-t96083.html
Here we go again.

What do you mean "Here we go again? What the hell do you mean?

 

[doctor Bob]

Hi. What is the supply chain (sort of what does it look like) for a small-scale cabinet/furniture maker?

you make it then try and sell it for a price, or you are asked to make it and you quote a price which is accepted or refused.

I prefer the latter

 

[richard6299]

errrr.

Can you explain a bit more about what you envisage.....for example:-

are you a small cabinet maker of quality furniture who turns out 12 pieces a year.....if so you don't really need a supply chain

are you a small cabinetry maker working to a set patterns who turns out say 100 items a month, or 200, or 300....

You see the issue. The only supply chain provision I have seen has been into "factory" style production where the smallest unit of supply was a fully loaded artic .....

Al

Well, everybody has a some sort of supply chain, even the hobbyist does, in some form.

Now, as for my circumstances, let me add a bit more detail. I'm wanting to make "boxes" - they will be expected to have some styling. Because they could be marketed as furniture, or at least they could be seen as a form of furniture.

So, I'm seeing my business as somewhat akin to a furniture business, particularly in terms of styling and of course I'll be seeking wood suppliers that, well, are suitable with where I'm at.

I might be expecting to sell say 20-30 boxes a week. Say I managed 20. If the box was 300mm high with 300mm sides each box would need a board 1.2m x 300mm. So, I'd need 24metres of the wood, per week

I ask myself who (probably some wholesaler) carries all the different types of wood that I could use to style my boxes - who is set up to form part of my (sort of furniture business) supply chain. And I don't feel I know know. I'm seeking a lead.

I suppose an answer could well be in a Google search "Wood wholesalers". But, never-the-less, I'm asking on this forum. I would also expect a supplier to be able to talk or even advise on wood selection for furniture -obviously not house DIY construction. Thanks.

 

[Adam9453]

Google timber yards in your local area and go to them with a list of the woods you are looking to purchase plus sizes and volumes. I'm sure you will get an answer.
I think you've got some odd answers to your question because most people would have written "where can I buy wood wholesale in county whichever" rather than asking about supply chains. You can usually find any part, material or information by googling a specific accurate question. Keep it simple

 

[custard]

I would also expect a supplier to be able to talk or even advise on wood selection for furniture

Rarely works like that, most timber yards would either look vacant and shrug, or "talk their own book" i.e. recommend what they happen to be trying to shift. Sure, there's the odd exception, talk to Hamish at Timberline and you're talking to one of the finest cabinet makers in the country, but there aren't many yards with a Hamish!

Seriously, when you're sourcing timber go into it on the basis that you know what you want and they know what they've got, blurring those lines rarely has a happy ending.

 

[adidat]

This all seems like back of a fag packet stuff?


Do you have orders for 20-30 boxes a week?

Adidat

 

[richard6299]

I feel "gobsmacked" that a small furniture or cabinet maker would phone up his local "timber yard" to get wood for his creations.

Because I always associate timber yards with wood specifically for building construction.

I thought there would be some dedicated furniture-manufacturer suppliers. Seems not then.

 

[Adam9453]

Look for hardwood suppliers and you'll find what you need

 

[custard]

Every yard is different, I can only speak for the South East but at one end you've got Timberline who specialise in very expensive exotics, then you'll get Surrey Timbers or Yandles with exotics plus good quality temperate zone hardwoods, then yards like Tylers or English Woodlands who do their own kilning and are more focussed on temperate hardwoods but in slightly higher volumes. All of these serve the furniture maker to a greater or lesser extent, plus I'll keep in contact with a dozen or more smaller yards across Dorest, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex in case something interesting comes along. Where I wouldn't bother going is any of the DIY sheds or national chains of joinery specialists.

By the way, I might phone a yard first before visiting, but in almost all cases I'll pick individual waney edged boards from the "boulle" against a cutting list or to put into stock.

 

[RobinBHM]

Whst type of timber are you planning to use? it would be helpful to know to advise suitable suppliers.

Are you wanting to buy sawn timber or machined?

Based on the timber usage you have outlined, you would be buying about 0.2m3 per week, about £300 value as a rough guide for a mid price hardwood.

There are indeed timber suppliers that sell to furniture manufacturers.
Cheers Robin

 

[Jelly]

I don't want to sound harsh, but you're coming across as quite inexperienced (at least as far as the timber industry is concerned), and that could really bite you in the behind.

Things to consider:

• Timber is a commodity, prices and supply fluctuate frequently and this is more pronounced in the rarer more visually striking timbers.
• Timber is a natural material, each time you buy you'll have to accept defects and variations which can make a significant difference to the useability of individual boards.
• Trees are round, so the mill only gets a few wide boards from each tree, which then attract a price premium.
• To maximise the board width many hardwoods are sold with one or both waney (natural) edges, and will taper in width.
• Timber will react to environmental conditions, a board bought dead straight can easily warp before you get to use it, even with the best storage and acclimatisation techniques.
• The timber industry has a lot of standard practices which are not obvious:
  • The size given includes sawing and planing allowances, so the real dimensions are slightly smaller.
  • Sizes stated are subject to tolerances of anywhere from±0.5mm to ±2mm depending on product and supplier.
  • Hardwoods are sold by volume and priced in varying thicknesses (thicker attracts a price premium), standard widths and lengths are not common.
  • Softwood is sold standard sizes by in both linear metres and in "packs" of a fixed volume (which may or may not be a fixed length).
  • Unless you pay for your material to be machined to an agreed specification, it won't be in a ready to use state, and will require straightening, thicknessing and surface planing.
• Laminating smaller boards into bigger ones may be more cost effective, but requires skill to achieve good aesthetic results.
• Bulk buying from Sawmills, Importers or Large Merchants will give the best prices, but requires storage space (for say a 4.8m×1.2m×0.8m "Pack", and the capital to cover that outlay.
• Unless you use common materials like oak or softwood, constant supply can't be guaranteed, you may well need to build relationships with several merchants or importers to ensure it.

I'd urge you to do the following:

• Come up with a confirmed design, make prototypes and drill down the exact materials needed to make your product, including losses to sawing, shaping etc.
• Think about the volume you can sell, realistically.
• Consider the production techniques you want to use, and how much of the milling and preparation you can do in house; be honest with yourself about the availability of space and capital for machinery, assembly areas, services (like compressed air and dustvextraction) and stock in your work area.
• Go to suppliers and get quotes for a set spec of material, explaining the volumes you want to buy on an ongoing basis.

 

[Rhossydd]

What do you mean "Here we go again? What the hell do you mean?

Another 'how do I start a woodworking business?' thread.
It's all too frequent here.

 

[acewoodturner]

Richard
You come across as someone who hasnt worked with wood before and has no experience in either buying wood or selling items made from wood. Theres a bit of a learning curve to be travelled and I suggest a few days going through the posts on the forum and picking up some good information from a lot of experienced and knowledgable members here. When you are a bit clearer on what you are trying to achieve and can tailor you questions to be a bit more specific, you may end up with some answers that help you achieve your goal. Questions related to starting a wood based business pop up here regularly and there have been many excellent answers. Your very broad questions will only annoy members as you come across as someone who has no knowledge or experience and the idea of making boxes out of wood and selling them for a profit has suddenly just popped into your head whilst having a few beers with your mates in the pub! Try doing some homework first.

Mike

 

[Logger]

Ivthink timber yards act as both, so no need or market for a separate dedicated place for cabinet makers.

As an example, i went down to my timber yard this week to pick up timber for 2 oak doors and a staircase spending a fair bit and and a guy was buying a half metre length of oak and a small bit of a fence post for some reason. May well have been running oak through bandsaw to make a load of oak veneer.

The timber yard was only too happy to deal with him so a good yard can cover pretty much all your needs.

 

[Zeddedhed]

Timber yard is a phrase that I've always associated with somewhere like Covers or Alsford Timber - much closer to a builders merchant.

Having said that, I can't think of a better name for a place like Morgans or JW timber here in Kent.

Timberline is neither - it's the equivalent of a crack den to an addict.

 

[richard6299]

What do you mean "Here we go again? What the hell do you mean?

Another 'how do I start a woodworking business?' thread.
It's all too frequent here.

Okay, understood. But, why cannot "non technical" enquiries be seen as an opportunity by UKWorkshop? And a separate section be made for such.

 

[kdampney]

If you have a look at the other thread, your-first-timber-yard-visit-t96684.html that may have some useful not-too-technical info.