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All Homecrest’ s products are manufactured on site in Wadena, Minnesota, through a clear, strategic research and development process. Philip explains what it takes to create such innovative solutions.“ Our product development process begins by looking beyond the outdoor furniture industry. We closely monitor trends in other areas like interior design, architecture, materials, colors, and finishes to identify concepts that have not yet fully transitioned into outdoor environments. Our new product development team regularly brings new ideas to the table, evaluates them collaboratively, considers where the market is heading and how we can introduce new materials, technologies, or aesthetics while maintaining the quality and durability our customers expect. Our goal is not simply to follow outdoor trends but to anticipate where outdoor living is going next,” he shares.
Durability and performance
To support those ambitions operationally, Homecrest has recently made a significant investment in updating its ERP system. The new platform improves customer visibility, streamlines internal operations, and enhances the company’ s ability to respond quickly. Ultimately, this ensures that the team can deliver the level of service Homecrest customers have come to expect, while making the processes behind it more efficient.
Innovation in product development is influenced by what is happening in the wider market, and one of the strongest trends Homecrest is currently seeing in outdoor furniture is the growing use of all-weather poly and mixed-material designs.“ Consumers and designers are increasingly looking for outdoor furniture that combines durability and performance with the warmth and visual interest traditionally associated with indoor
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