You may never know what happens inside the plant to build the cabinets for your new kitchen, but it’s a source of pride for us. At UltraCraft, we are dedicated to continuous factory improvements in all areas. Sometimes it’s big things and sometimes it’s a series of little things that make a big difference. This was a big summer at our manufacturing plant. We’ve implemented some of our best ideas in line with our commitment to deliver our best work on time, every time, so your home improvement project will go as smoothly as possible. Here are a few we’re most excited about:
Customer Quality Advocate
The voices of our dealers, designers and homeowners have always been our guiding light because we want to understand their needs. To accomplish this, our operations, engineering, manufacturing and sales teams meet regularly to share feedback from you. These meetings often inspire factory improvements and pointed to a need for a Customer Quality Advocate. This dedicated new position reports to our Quality Manager and will give extra attention where it’s needed:
- Minimizing errors on Replacement Parts orders.
- Double-checking complex assemblies, like drawers.
- Increasing bore/dowel machine tolerance checks to hourly.
- Conducting additional checks-and-balances audits.
New Finish Engineer and Finish SWAT Team
Quality is in the details, and the finish of our products is no exception. In August, we brought on a Finish Engineer to up our game with new techniques and processes for wood finishes to achieve the very best for your new kitchen. We also launched a Finish SWAT Team to target factory improvements in cabinet finish quality. Together they will tackle key challenges:
- Reducing airborne particles that can contaminate a pristine finish.
- Adding protective padding to mitigate damage risks.
- Enhancing the inspection process.
VIP 2.0
Our commitment to excellence requires us to be flexible enough to add steps to our production process to make it better. We use Visual Inspection Process (VIP) as a cornerstone of our quality control measures. Now, we are stepping up to VIP 2.0 which includes Cart Audits to check color consistency before finished items arrive to our Accessory or Shipping departments, and additional signoffs for dimensions and colors before cabinets and parts are packaged. These signoffs are printed right onto the shop floor paperwork. An extra look for an extra layer of accuracy.
ICC Audit Triumph
UltraCraft’s quality management system has successfully passed the International Code Council (ICC) audit. The ICC is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions that include product evaluation, accreditation, technology, training, and certification. This achievement underscores our dedication to excellence in every facet of our operations.
An Attitude of Gratitude
In our factory, there are thousands of moving parts and processes and each one works in concert with all the others. Unless you work in manufacturing, little factory improvements like extra padding on a cart may not seem like much. But if it reduces the risk of a scratch or dent on the cabinet door we just hand-finished for you, to us it’s a big deal.
Thanks to everyone at UltraCraft who creates, implements and embraces changes for the better, to our dealers and designers who create such incredibly beautiful kitchens, and thanks to the homeowners who choose our cabinetry. It’s all for you. Keep cookin’ everyone!
What are you waiting for? Visit your local UltraCraft designer’s showroom today and spark a conversation!
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ultracurrent : an energetic flow of premium design ideas.
Here we’ll explore current design trends and ideas, look at UltraCraft products in ways they’ve not been presented before, and celebrate spaces created by UltraCraft kitchen and bath designers. We’ll build a reference library of ideas and information to inspire homeowners and professional designers to think outside the cabinet.
We’ll also introduce new products throughout the year. We enjoy living on the leading edge of fashion and function, and offering uncompromising quality, fit, and finish. Our in-house designers, engineers, and new-product developers are always searching for and creating better ways to bring you your dream kitchen…or even better than you can dream!
Hey UltraCraft kitchen designers…
Do you have professional-level photography of your outstanding kitchen designs? You can upload them to MasterBrand’s Media Hub and get them the recognition they deserve! Once there, other designers will inspired by your projects and your photos could be highlighted in our literature, and on our website and social media posts. Other dealers (only those NOT located in your state) would be allowed to use your photos as long as they credit you and your photographer every time they use your image. Please share your pictures. We love your work!
