Why is everything at IKEA cheap?
IKEA is a Swedish furniture company that is popular for its wide range of low-cost home furnishing products. The company has been in existence for over seven decades and has revolutionized the furniture industry with their innovative and cost-efficient production methods. Over the years, many have wondered how IKEA is able to keep prices for customers at such a low level. The answer lies in their manufacturing process, which heavily relies on bulk production.Economy of Scale: How IKEA’s mass production saves money
Production costs include the price of raw materials, labor, and the use of machinery. The larger the quantity of production, the lesser the price per unit will be. This concept is called economy of scale, and it is one of the key principles that guide IKEA’s production methods. By mass producing their furniture components, the company is able to achieve significant reductions in costs per unit, making the completed furniture cheaper for the customer. This mass production method is just one of the many reasons why IKEA is able to sell their products at lower prices compared to their competitors.Advantages of Bulk Production in Furniture Making
Bulk production comes with numerous advantages for furniture makers. These include:- Cut costs: As mentioned earlier, bulk production reduces production costs which enable the company to sell their products at lower prices.
- Reduced production time: Mass producing furniture components saves time, enabling IKEA to complete orders much faster.
- Less wastage: With bulk production, IKEA is able to optimize their production process, reducing the amount of wastage.
- Consistent quality control: By producing large quantities of furniture components, IKEA can maintain a consistent level of quality on all their products.
Why IKEA’s Manufacturing Process is Crucial for Low Prices
Most traditional furniture makers rely on handcrafting, which can be time-consuming and expensive. On the other hand, IKEA’s production process is highly automated. With the help of machines, they are able to produce large volumes of furniture components at a cheap rate. The production process is also highly standardized, ensuring consistency across all their products. When it comes to furniture, IKEA’s manufacturing process is crucial for low prices.Exploring IKEA’s Large-Scale Production Techniques
IKEA’s production process typically starts with a designer creating a prototype. Once the prototype is approved, it is sent to IKEA’s manufacturers to be mass-produced. The mass production process involves the following steps:- Cutting: The raw materials, usually particleboard, MDF, or other engineered wood, are cut into required sizes and shapes using computer-controlled machines.
- Drilling: Holes are drilled using a pneumatic drill press.
- Edging: The edges of the furniture components are treated by a machine that applies adhesive edging strips.
- Assembly: The components are assembled using pre-made connectors or traditional fasteners like screws.
- Finishing: The finished furniture pieces go through a quality control check before being packaged and shipped to stores.