Ever wonder what happens to your store fixture before it makes it to your store? Here's a peek at the process. While no two plants are exactly the same, fixture manufacturing plants generally include the following departments and processes:

Design/Engineering/Programming

Draftsmen, computer operators, and engineers create computer-aided fixture designs (CAD) based on specifications provided. This is the area where prototypes are developed, and creativity is tested against real life demands. Once a design or prototype is approved by the customer, engineering provides detailed shop drawings based on the plant's manufacturing capabilities. Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software or computer operators program the computer controlled machinery to produce the parts as designed.

Estimating

Estimators review proposed specifications and drawings to determine the cost of raw materials, labor, technology, etc. required to complete the job. If the project is offered on a bid basis, then a bid is submitted to the customer. Once the bid is accepted, the materials are ordered, and the labor is scheduled. Not all jobs are awarded by bid, some store fixture manufacturers have standard parts that they produce at set prices and terms. Some jobs are awarded at cost-plus or on long-term negotiated contracts based on an ongoing relationship and past performance.

Receiving

Raw materials and components are delivered to the plant through Receiving. Often, depending on the plant layout and work flow, finished store fixtures and/or value-added components are loaded and shipped from the same area.

Production

High-volume production equipment saws, cuts, routes, laminates, edgebands, sands, shears, stamps, punches, and welds the various pieces to the proper dimensions and configurations.

Finishing

Once the various pieces or components of the fixture have been produced, finishes like paints, stains, plating, waxes, oils, and other decorative or protective coatings are employed to enhance the appearance and serviceability of the materials. The finishing process may span several days to allow for drying time between applications. The laminating process applies a finished overlay such as HPL (high pressure laminate), TFM (thermally-fused melamine), vinyl, foils, veneers, and other materials onto a substrate. Particleboard and MDF (medium density fiberboard) are common substrates used in store fixtures. Pre-laminating refers to applying the laminate overlay to a flat substrate panel before cutting and routing operations. Post-laminating applies the finishing material to surfaces and edges after the fixture's structural components are assembled. Post-forming is the process where HPL is heated, formed, and adhered to a shaped substrate material.

Assembly

After the various pieces of a fixture are shaped and finished, they proceed to assembly, where they are constructed into the finished product. In the case of millwork, perimeters, or large fixtures, the final stages of the assembly may be completed during installation on the job site.

Packaging and Shipping

In preparation for shipping, fixtures, components, and hardware must be wrapped, and installation instructions and a packing slip attached. Packaging may include palletizing, crating, bubble or peanut packing, shrink wrap, or blanket wrap. Once packaged, the unit is transported either to the Finished Goods Storage area or to Shipping. When the finished, packaged fixture(s) are loaded on the delivery truck, the manufacturing process is complete.

Finished Goods Storage

When the fixtures are ready before the shipping date, they are stored, by job, until the delivery date. During extremely busy times this storage may be rented capacity off-site from the production facility.