To maintain its leading position in China’s fastgrowing furniture market, Kuka Home turned to Lectra for digital transformation of its design, development and production processes.
Digitalization allows Kuka to virtually design and develop a significant part of its products, and evaluate prototype feasibility and product quality in the early stages of product development. With an automated leather cutting process, Kuka achieves consistently high quality cut pieces without relying on operator skills, optimizes leather consumption and boosts efficiency.
Lectra proposed a smart manufacturing process incorporating DesignConcept, its virtual prototyping and product development solution, and Versalis, the automated leather cutting solution. Lectra also provided its professional services, based on 30 years of expertise, to ensure the success and continuous improvement of Kuka’s production process.
Kuka reached out to Lectra in its pursuit to put digital technology at the heart of its operations. “In the last few years we have been in discussions with many equipment manufacturers and carried out various trials. Lectra was more mature and more aligned with our current business model,” explains Mr. Pan Chaoping, Lean Production and Planning Management Director.
Implementing digitalized processes also enables Kuka to resolve a challenge experienced by many companies in the industry.
“As labor costs have spiraled, we are looking to increase the cost competitiveness of our furniture and increase manufacturing efficiency,” says Mr. Chaoping.
Kuka Home in over 2500 stores around the world
Founded in 1982 by Mr. Gu Yuhua, Kuka Home has become one of the biggest furniture manufacturers and brands in China. The company supplies a wide range of products, including leather and fabric sofas, upholstered beds and mattresses to over 2,500 branded stores. It also exports its products to over 120 countries and regions.