Tra-Con
Reliable Consultancy
CASE STUDY
OPTIMIZATION POWER
14% lower production cost –
with no change to the final look.
THE CONTEXT
The executive summary
CLIENT GOAL AND VISION
The client wants to launch a high-quality, stylish café table for the HORECA market...
MARKET PROBLEM
Busy venues need durable furniture at a reasonable price...
IMPACT DELIVERED
THE CHALLENGE
Target-to-cost alignment
The original design given to our engineering team was built for premium hospitality spaces. It used high-quality materials and detailed finishing.
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Veneered MDF top. Chosen for its weight and premium surface finish.
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Solid oak edge banding. Selected for durability and a quality feel.
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Aligning design with market value
After the first review, the manufacturing cost came back much higher than what the public space sector can accept. For cafés and bistros that work with tight budgets and need to order in large quantities, the original price made the product impossible to sell commercially.
The original design given to our engineering team was built for premium hospitality spaces. It used high-quality materials and detailed finishing.
The Risk: Without cost optimization, the production price was too high to compete. The product risked becoming too expensive for its target market.
MATERIAL OPTIMIZATION
Technical optimization steps
Instead of just sending a high quote, we worked closely with the client's design team. Our goal was to audit the design and find every possible saving without changing the look.
01
Material selection
Switching to chipboard brought immediate cost savings with no loss in quality. For these table sizes, it provides the same strength and stability as MDF. The change is completely invisible to the customer, and the table remains strong and rigid.
ENGINEERING NOTE: Structural integrity maintained at 100%
02
Optimized material yield
By reducing the table diameter by just 3 cm, we got more pieces from each chipboard sheet. This small change eliminated costly waste and lowered the price per unit – without affecting the look of the product.
RESULT: Maximized sheet yield – eliminated expensive material waste
03
Dimensional precision
Not all components are equally visible. Hidden structural parts – such as threaded inserts and internal connectors – work exactly the same whether made from solid brass or zinc-plated steel. The function is identical, but the cost is much lower. By using premium materials only where they can be seen and touched, the budget was focused where it matters most – on visual impact.
Alternative wood species selection
We also reviewed the wood species used for details. This reduced costs and protected the project from unpredictable material price changes. The look stays the same, but production is now cheaper and more consistent.
THE RESULTS
THE FINAL SCORECARD
-6%
COST REDUCTION
through material and geometric adjustments
-14%
TOTAL COST REDUCTION
Including alternative wood species selection
0
VISUAL IMPACT
Final product identical to premium prototype
Your partner in commercial success
TRA-CON works as the link between a designer's creative vision and the client's budget requirements.
Our value engineering approach is built on deep knowledge of materials, manufacturing processes, and a real commitment to our clients' success.
When a product is commercially viable, everyone benefits – the designer, the manufacturer, and the end customer.
WHAT WE BRING
- Manufacturing expertise
- Material knowledge
- Better sourcing
- Collaborative partnership
- Commercial success
WHAT YOU GET
- Lower production costs
- Original design quality
- Competitive market price
- Faster product launch
- A reliable partner
CONTACTS
Let's discuss the most efficient way to bring your furniture ideas to market.
Contact our furniture developer for a 20-minute cost-efficiency audit.
We will review your current production details and give you a clear, realistic cost comparison for manufacturing in Europe.
Contact our furniture developer, Agnė:
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