Businesses are constantly looking for ways to meet growing customer demands, streamline operations, and prepare for the future. Fabuwood Cabinetry Corp., the largest and fastest-growing semi-custom kitchen cabinet maker in the U.S., has mastered these goals. In this blog, we break down their Acumatica Case Study.
Delivering kitchen cabinets in just five days—compared to the typical delivery time of 1-2 months—sets Fabuwood apart. Their success lies in a combination of technological innovation and operational efficiency. This blog will explain how Fabuwood overcame challenges, implemented the right solutions, and positioned itself for ongoing growth, offering valuable insights for other companies seeking a similar transformation.
Challenge: Outgrowing QuickBooks and Siloed Systems
Like many startups, Fabuwood began with QuickBooks for accounting. However, as the business grew, limitations quickly surfaced:
- Corrupted Data: QuickBooks couldn’t maintain data integrity at scale.
- Disconnected Systems: Manufacturing, finance, and inventory systems operated in silos, making it difficult to get a complete picture of operations.
- Manual Processes: The team relied heavily on manual data entry, which slowed productivity.
According to Chief Technology Officer Sendy Stern, “We realized we had hit the ceiling with QuickBooks. There were no controls, no MRP capabilities, and the data was often corrupted.”
As customer demands increased, it became clear that Fabuwood needed a scalable, integrated ERP system to unify data, automate processes, and support its rapid growth.
Solution: Acumatica Manufacturing Edition
Fabuwood evaluated 10 ERP solutions, including Oracle NetSuite, but ultimately selected Acumatica Manufacturing Edition due to its flexibility, scalability, and user-friendly design. The ability to integrate 15+ third-party applications was another key factor in their decision.
- Integrated Platform: With Acumatica, Fabuwood unified finance, manufacturing, and operations, creating a single source of truth.
- Materials Resource Planning (MRP): The MRP capabilities improved purchasing accuracy and reduced material costs.
- Open APIs: Acumatica’s xRP platform enabled easy customization and seamless integration with existing tools, including Fabuwood’s proprietary EZ Pricing system.
“Our development team liked Acumatica’s flexibility and ease of integration,” Stern said. “Acumatica delivers exactly what we need—quickly and efficiently.”
Implementation Success: Going Live in Just Five Months
ERP implementations can take up to a year, but Fabuwood defied the odds by going live in just five months. While we were NOT the implementation partners on this, they credit this success to:
- Thorough Testing: Fabuwood’s team rigorously tested over 120 operational steps to ensure a smooth transition.
- Collaboration: Their internal team worked closely with their Acumatica partner, streamlining integrations with existing tools.
“We did a lot of testing and rehearsals,” Stern recalled. “When we went live, everything was perfect, and the balance sheets matched.”
Key Results and Business Benefits
Since deploying Acumatica Manufacturing Edition, Fabuwood has experienced significant improvements across multiple areas:
- Data Integrity and Automation:
Fabuwood eliminated corrupted data and automated manual processes. They now use barcodes and backflushing processes to manage thousands of daily transactions without errors. - Real-Time Data Visibility:
Employees gained access to clean, real-time data for better decision-making. Custom dashboards and KPI reports empowered staff to analyze data without relying on IT. - Faster Manufacturing Operations:
With Acumatica’s MRP functionality, Fabuwood optimized material planning and tracked costs more effectively, leading to significant savings. - Seamless Integration of Tools:
The EZ Pricing tool—essential for Fabuwood’s success—now syncs with Acumatica to provide accurate pricing, inventory levels, and delivery timelines. - Improved Employee Adoption:
Acumatica’s user-friendly interface and no-code tools allowed employees from finance to operations to quickly adopt the system, increasing productivity.
Fabuwood’s Competitive Edge: Faster Deliveries, Greater Growth
A major differentiator for Fabuwood is its ability to deliver semi-custom kitchen cabinets within five days. This speed, achieved with the help of Acumatica, is especially impressive given the supply chain disruptions experienced during the pandemic.
“Our focus on speed to market and technology drives everything we do,” said Joel Epstein, Co-Founder and COO. “In the time other companies make decisions, we’ve already executed—and that’s thanks to Acumatica.”
Fabuwood’s reliance on advanced ERP technology allows them to respond faster to market demands and position themselves for future growth.
Future Growth with Acumatica
With Acumatica at the core of its operations, Fabuwood is poised for expansion. The company plans to open new satellite locations across the U.S., confident that its technology infrastructure can support continued growth.
“We’re not slowing down anytime soon,” Epstein said. “Acumatica delivers everything we need to grow, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
What Other Manufacturers Can Learn from Fabuwood’s Success
Fabuwood’s transformation offers valuable lessons for manufacturers seeking to scale efficiently:
- Invest in Scalable Technology: Outgrowing systems like QuickBooks is inevitable—having a flexible ERP ensures you’re ready to scale.
- Unify Operations for Better Visibility: Centralized data promotes faster decision-making and reduces errors.
- Automate Manual Processes: Automation saves time and allows your team to focus on value-added tasks.
- Prioritize User-Friendly Systems: A system that employees can easily adopt drives long-term success.
- Collaborate with the Right Partners: Choosing an ERP provider that offers excellent support can make all the difference.
The Power of Technology in Manufacturing Growth
Fabuwood’s journey demonstrates how the right ERP system can drive operational efficiency, speed to market, and long-term scalability. With Acumatica Manufacturing Edition at its core, Fabuwood continues to lead the way in the kitchen cabinetry industry, setting the standard for fast delivery and customer satisfaction.
If your business is facing similar challenges with outdated systems, consider following in Fabuwood’s footsteps. A modern ERP solution like Acumatica could be the key to unlocking your next phase of growth.