The pressure for speed begins with the retailer and, indirectly, the consumer. The company uses six distribution sites nationwide and a fleet of 450 tractors and 900 trailers blankets the nation at least once a week to meet demand. We go to as many tech shows as we can, even outside our industry, to see if we can find things we can make work in this industry. No, I don't see any quick fixes for changing without a massive amount of investment. But we are constantly looking at those areas.
Companies do invest in labor-saving equipment in key areas.
When bar code readings are entered by computer there, each of its four area manufacturing facilities can access the inventory records by radio frequency to fill fabric orders. Another tool that will become just as important is data warehousing, Smith said. Using data warehousing software, field representatives and marketing staff can check instantly the rate of sales on pieces of furniture, the margin on sales and who's buying what across the country. It's not widespread yet, but I think more and more companies are looking at it. Computer-controlled saws and routers cut, shape, bore and finish wood parts more quickly and accurately than human hands, and electronic fabric cutters maximize yield.