Robert Weed Corporation

Robert Weed Corporation

Analysis of raw materials reduces “stock out” risks for leading plywood supplier

About

Robert Weed Corporation is a Bristol, Indiana-based wholesale distributor and manufacturer of wood, composite, and associated products to the recreational vehicle (RV), manufactured housing (MH), cargo trailer, cabinetry, and furniture industries. The company’s operating facilities include over 763,000 square feet in Indiana and Idaho. In 2020, the company launched its Robert Weed 2.0 transformation initiative, an effort focused on innovation, growth, supply chain discipline, and employee and community support.

The Opportunity

Imported plywood is an important component for the Robert Weed Corporation product line. The company is pursuing strategic opportunities to better position Robert Weed within the global supply chain. To do so will require a new approach to planning, production, and sourcing of substrates necessary for fabrication. Robert Weed Corporation partnered with iNDustry Labs to develop the scenarios that will inform the new approach purchasing and production decisions.

iNDustry Labs Engagement

Over the course of five weeks, the iNDustry Labs team gathered and analyzed scientific and business data in order to determine relevant factors that influence the pricing fluctuation of plywood imports. Collaborating with supply chain staff during scenario analysis, the team worked through initial identification, extraction, and analysis of necessary production capacity and historical demand data. The team provided a report of historical demand for materials, and summarized production cutdown insights by substrate length, costs, and capacity.