New Tech Making Inroads

Acuity Insurance published a blog post about new technologies in the cabinetry industry, and we wanted to share a couple of the highlights:

Customers have always wanted to experience the space they’re planning, and increasing popularity and decreasing costs are bringing virtual reality (VR) technology into the design process.

Companies such as IKEA and Lowe’s are now rolling out VR in their stores, and this trend can easily be brought into your cabinet or furniture shop as well.

By allowing customers to put on VR glasses and “move” around in a computer-generated image, customers come far closer to what it will be like when they walk into their new kitchen. You can add touch to the experience by placing different materials in the area, allowing the customer to touch the countertop material and feel the difference between laminated wood, Corian, or granite countertops.

New materials are also making their way into shops. This began years ago when environmental concerns and the cost of solid wood items led to more demand for new materials. Bamboo is gaining acceptance not only for flooring, but also for furniture, cabinets, musical instruments and more. Wood plastic composite (WPC) is also on the rise. WPC is often made from recycled material, which reduces waste for landfills and the need to cut real trees. Many WPC products can be ordered to size, reducing the machining time within your shop. WPC can help you save money by reducing tooling, setup cost and the need to add equipment.

Read the entire blog post.