Cresent Opens New Quality Assurance Center

March 18, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on March 2007 Cresent Fine Furniture began operations in its newly renovated Quality Assurance Audit and Distribution Facility, or QuAAD, today.

The facility is located on the former Plant No. 2 campus of the Gallatin, Tenn.-based importer.

Director of Operations Taylor Condra said that “we are excited to be able to consolidate all of our domestic operations under one roof. We are even more thrilled that we were able to do so by redeveloping the finishing plant that we built in 1996. This 120,000-square-foot facility offers full finish capability and streamlines our quality assurance audit operations” for the family owned company.

Cresent engaged a team of industrial engineers to design a layout customized to its specific needs. The flow process is highly efficient, allowing two quality assurance inspectors to process more 100 items per day. The dining chair cell, for example, allows one person to assemble, level, inspect, touch up, wrap and carton more than 60 chairs daily.

“Our design team did a great job with the layout,” Condra said. “They were able to bring the efficient production mindset that we developed in over 50 years of manufacturing to the audit process which doubled our daily throughput capacity. The end result is more value for the consumer with fewer headaches for the retailer.”

“Our retail partners are interested in receiving and delivering furniture to the consumer, not re-manufacturing,” added Richard Tomkins, director of sales for Cresent. “Our new QuAAD facility enables us to ensure sourced product is ready for the home, with minimal deluxing from the retailer’s warehouse team. We are committed to partnering with retailers, not passing the buck.”

Cresent currently offers 8 collections including solid maple and solid mahogany as well as designs incorporating fancy veneers. Retailers can choose from mixed direct containers or warehouse delivery options, depending on their needs.

Cresent will introduce Chelsea, a casual lifestyle inspiration at next week’s High Point Market to complement eight existing collections in solid maple and mahogany, as well as in fancy veneers, available in mixed direct containers or through warehouse service.

Cresent’s High Point showroom is in Hamilton Square, space 204.