EBC attendees will visit Traum Woodworking's current seam bursting plant and the new larger operation that is about to be completed.
Springs, Colorado-Traum Woodworking is undergoing a major transformational change as it prepares to open its doors to attendees at its executive briefing on September 9. In June, the construction and woodworking company changed its name from Woodshop Millworks to Traum Woodworking. At the same time, Traum launched a new website-traumwoodworking.com-to support wider rebranding activities.
Soon, the company will transfer its cabinet manufacturing and finishing operations to a refurbished 28,000 square foot facility, which also includes a separate building finishing department. Each of these coordination activities was carried out under the direction of Nick Colley, who acquired the company more than three years ago. Since then, Kohli has laid the foundation for the company's growth with its 30 years of solid reputation in producing high-quality custom wood products.
Kohli said that during his tenure as the owner, the company's annual sales only tripled and the number of employees increased from 9 to 21. "Our goal is that after the new factory is fully opened in 2022, the number of employees will reach about 28 to 30," Kohli said. The best layout plan EBC tour will include staying in the company's current cramped facilities and the new factory that is about to be completed . The two buildings are about 10 minutes apart. Kohli said that Traum Woodworking's scale far exceeds its current 11,000 square foot factory. The plan calls for continuing to use it to make doors and door frames. The new facility will be dedicated to laying veneer, cabinet making and finishing.
Kohli said that finishes are a focus of Traum's products. "We like wood. We rarely use laminate, almost never," he said. "In most cases, we are veneers for the interior of the cabinets. Many of our customers require us to finish the veneers that match the interior and exterior. We also use solid edges on the cabinets. These are not available in many other companies. Process. On the one hand, it reduces our efficiency, but I think for a long time in the future, products will look better than we only use veneer edge banding or edge banding materials. I think this is our relationship with the high-end market One thing that really distinguishes many companies."
The finishing department is located in a separate building less than 15 feet from the main facility. "It has a separate loading area and is completely enclosed, so we can prevent dust from entering our finishes," Kohli said, adding, "Now, we are doing more and more high-gloss finishes." The new facility was once the location of the electronic road sign business. Kohli said that COVID and supply chain related issues, coupled with the booming construction activity in the area, were the main factors delaying the completion of the project.
"I think this is problematic in many ways," Kohli said. "At the front end of the process, the construction department was supported because there are too many constructions going on here. Then the time to review the drawings was several weeks longer than expected. Then it took longer because designers and architects were criticized. It took a long time to make design changes. So, it took a long time. After the drawings were finally approved, we experienced an order backlog. The ordering time for the electrical busway to provide three-phase power to the entire workshop was 10 to 12 weeks. Construction is booming The fact of development has caused delays in the supply chain." Converting the structure to manufacturing wood products includes opening up space. "There are five separate units. We cut a 12-foot opening in the wall and stretched it all the way down so that there is a good flow of people into the store," Kohli said.
In addition to the bus lanes, the project also includes the installation of Niederman dust collectors, new "bright" lighting, automatic sprinkler systems, compressed air ducts, and ADA-compliant bathrooms and restrooms.
Las Vegas shopping spree Kohli and his team participated in the recent AWFS Fair in Las Vegas. They paid a deposit on the Borke broadband sander and purchased Innerergy ERP software to simplify the company's operations from order entry and inventory to manufacturing and transportation. Appropriate consideration is being given to invest in a new molding machine, a flat-plate CNC nesting milling machine and a rubber wheel for the veneer department. The key equipment currently used by Traum includes Holz-Her Triathalon edge banding machine, SCM panel saw, Biesse pod and rail CNC router, Kuper splicing machine and Italpresse veneer press.
"I rely on people around me who have more experience in the industry to help me choose the machine," Kohli said. "I give the final decision based on the budget, but I let my team look at the specifications to decide what is best for the store."
"Living in Trauma" Traum Woodworking's high-end projects include commercial and residential properties. Broadmoor's refurbished Pourtales library is a shining example of the company's handmade work. Before acquiring Woodworks Millshop, Kohli worked at Traum Safe, a company his mother founded in New York City. He pointed out that Traum means dream in German. This is the name his mother chose because she was fortunate enough to be educated in Germany. "My mother grew up in India and was able to get a scholarship to go to school in Germany," Kohli said. "She obtained a PhD in biochemistry and then decided to come to the United States. She has always dreamed of owning her own company, so Traum is a match made in heaven when it comes to naming her company." Traum Safe focuses on "Swiss vault technology" and There is a showroom on New York’s famous Fifth Avenue. In order to better meet the needs of high-end customers, Traum Safe cooperated with Traum Woodworking to provide customized wood surrounds for safes, cabinets for hiding safes or closets for safe deposits or the complete structure of the room. "Having a showroom in New York allows us to have a project manager, who also allows us to better access other projects on the market," Coley said. "In addition, we have a long-term relationship with security customers, so from this perspective, there are many synergies." Now, Kohli himself is also traumatized. He is very much looking forward to the launch and operation of the new facility, which will make his company more advanced. Floors. Note: EBC's factory tour on September 9 will also include a stop at the manufacturing learning laboratory, which is better known as the "The MiLL" National Training Center.
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Rich Christianson is the owner of Richson Media LLC, a communications company based in Chicago that focuses on the industrial woodworking industry. Rich is the former long-term editorial director and associate publisher of Woodworking Network. During his nearly 35-year career, Rich has visited more than 250 woodworking industries in North America, Europe and Asia, and has written numerous articles on woodworking technology, design and supply trends. He has also directed and promoted dozens of woodworking trade shows, conferences and seminars, including cabinet and closet conferences and expos, and Canada's largest woodworking exhibition, woodworking machinery and supply conferences and expos.
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