By: Deborah Johnson Wood
Spring Lake-based izzydesign recently announced the purchase of Sweetwater Products, a Grand Rapids furniture manufacturer with high-tech capabilities. Sweetwater's expertise with parametric information technology was one reason izzydesign brought the company aboard.
Parametric information technology allows designers to make design changes on the front end of the manufacturing process. Within seconds, the software applies those changes to every product drawing in the database. The technology allows manufacturers to produce custom goods, in this case office furniture, quickly, easily, and with virtually no extra costs.
"The industry is heading toward mass customization," says Chuck Saylor, izzydesign founder and owner. "It will allow us to fulfill the customer's needs and make it much easier, much faster, and much more cost effective."
Between now and December 31, Sweetwater will close its Grand Rapids plant and move its equipment and technologies to the Spring Lake headquarters. Sweetwater's owner, Brad Stevenson, will become izzy's director of operations.
Sweetwater's 30 employees will continue to work until the facility closes, and can then choose to work at izzydesign through placement by EmploymentGroup, an independent staffing company. That will bring izzy's employee base up to 130 in Michigan. A second manufacturing facility in Belton, TX employs 120.
"This is a great strategic marriage," Saylor says. "It's the right thing to do for izzy right now, and will easily add 10 to 15 percent growth within the next 12 months. I see great upside opportunities to add more jobs here in Spring Lake with this acquisition."
Source: Chuck Saylor, izzydesign; Clare Wade, Clare Wade Communications
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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