Last time we purchased furniture it took weeks longer than our dealer told us and caused disruption and cost overruns. How can Teammates manage this process better?
Communicating the realistic time frame is critical. Commercial furniture is generally built to order. Manufacturers must process paperwork, secure raw materials, assemble and manufacture, pack and ship goods according to a fluctuating schedule. This schedule dictates what is known as the lead time. As furniture procurement professionals we are concerned with lead times meeting deadlines and have developed procedures and techniques to minimize the adverse impact that extensive lead times might bring to a project.
