LivingSpace Boards adds value to cut & edge services

Personalised service, unsurpassed technical know-how, quality products and short lead times are some to the important reasons why the companies and individuals who use the cut and edge and other value-adding services supplied by LivingSpace Boards keep coming back for more.
“It does not matter what time of day we arrive, the moment we walk through the door there is someone ready to assist you,” says Gavin Ryder of Kurve Designs, one of LivingSpace’s growing number of clients. “They don’t differentiate between our small custom design shop, and their larger customers who are looking for high volumes of boards.”
In a very short period their reputation for quality and quick turn-around times spread by word of mouth and the business began to grow.
The company provides a professional board upgrading and cut-and-edge service to shop fitters, kitchen and cabinet manufacturers, building contractors and sub-contractors, government tenders, installers, and furniture makers. But that is not all, Rodwell is a qualified and experienced cabinetmaker, which allows LivingSpace to offer value adding services like tongue and groove shaker doors, double-ups, finger grips, glass doors, rail and style products, hardware, pre-drilled cabinetry and design and installations.

“Our customers are our first priority and we all work hard to ensure that the factory is operating smoothly and producing the high-quality board components they expect,” comments Melanie. “Our competitive advantage is our technical and product knowledge, personalised service and ability to communicate with our clients to give them what they need.

“Unlike some of our competitors, when a customer places an order we can tell them exactly when it will be ready. We have excellent lead times of between two and four days for most orders because we are hands-on, plan well and know the progress of every order at all times,’ explains Rodwell.

The Walkers say the biggest problem facing any company is cash-flow. Their entrepreneurial journey is based on careful planning and service innovation. “Rodwell and I are both risk averse and we do not want to fall into the trap of having to service loans while the business is in its infancy. Our philosophy is to always build good relationships with our suppliers and we do this by paying all our accounts before the due date.”

The factory is presently equipped with an Altendorf panel saw and a Smartek edge bander. Rodwell says most clients cannot believe that the excellent quality of the edged boards they receive are produced by these two machines. “Quality is dependent on how you run your business,” he says. “We are a small company and invite our customers to come into the factory to see how and where we work. As far as possible we control our dust levels and ensure that the machines are well maintained at all times.”

Rodwell explains that the biggest factor contributing to the quality of their products is the technical skills of the machine operators. Mxolisi “Boy” Ndzala is the Altendorf operator who produces melamine or glossy boards with no obvious right or wrong face. Henry Arendse, who has recently been appointed factory foreman, is an expert on the edge-bander and the finish he produces with this small machine is comparable with machines that cost twice the price.

LivingSpace Boards is a family owned business that is gradually expanding its activities, and places great store on its responsibilities to its employees and long-term relationships with suppliers and customers.