Off the beaten path

Abstract

This company review focuses on Smith Brothers of Berne Inc, based in rural Indiana. Berne was established by Swiss immigrants with a tradition of hard work and enterprise, and Smith Brothers of Berne is one of three furniture companies started by the Berne community. Two brothers with the surname Lehman now run the company and in 1992-93 tripled the size of the company plant that now has 175 employees producing 40,000 pieces of furniture annually. Fabric choice numbers 800 and leather is available in a further 50 choices. The company employs marketing techniques that ensure a captive audience by filling a hotel ballroom with their furniture then inviting and paying for dealers to attend. The accent is on communication rather than order gathering and families are invited to the show. Manufacturing process changes are discussed in the article, started in 2000 the changes focus on continuous material flows, defect prevention, and increases in velocity of production.