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Premier Custom-Built Embraces Digital Transformation While Preserving Old-School Craftsmanship
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Application Development Platforms
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management
- Analytics & Modeling - Real Time Analytics
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Quality Assurance
- Business Operation
Use Cases
- Digital Twin
- Predictive Maintenance
- Remote Collaboration
Services
- Cloud Planning, Design & Implementation Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
- System Integration
The Challenge
Pennsylvania furniture manufacturer Premier Custom-Built makes custom cabinetry for luxury homes and yachts, designing every job from scratch. The engineering team was looking to create a paperless manufacturing floor, aiming to migrate the product specs currently in 3-ring binders to 3D CAD models. Premier was also seeking a way to automate repetitive design tasks to speed up time to market.
About The Customer
Premier Custom-Built is a luxury furniture manufacturer based in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country or Amish Country. The company specializes in custom cabinetry for luxury homes and yachts, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship. Founded in 1991 by Marlin Horst, the company is now led by his son, Sheldon Horst. Premier Custom-Built has a rich history of using technology to enhance its operations, as evidenced by their makeshift museum of obsolete technology. The company is deeply rooted in the region's centuries-old tradition of woodworking, originally fostered by Swiss-German immigrants. Premier Custom-Built aims to preserve this craftsmanship while integrating modern technology to operate more effectively.
The Solution
At the center of Premier Custom-Built's digital transformation strategy is cloud-native Onshape, PTC’s product development platform that unites advanced CAD tools with built-in data management, real-time collaboration, and business analytics. Onshape has become a central part of Premier's IT department, bringing engineering and IT together to design and develop products collaboratively. The use of FeatureScript, Onshape’s open-source programming language, has allowed Premier to create more than 50 custom cabinet features, automating repetitive tasks and giving engineers more time to focus on innovation. Onshape Configurations also enable Premier to quickly modify cabinet designs based on customer preferences, making the design process more efficient.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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