Design expertise
Genesis Products, which was recently ranked #34 in the FDMC 300 ranking, can do this not just because of its manufacturing capabilities, which are clearly substantial, but also because of its in-house design and engineering acumen.
Customers who work within the Genesis Interiors team focus on a Consult, Curate and Construct process where they can choose from a vast range of materials, colors, styles, construction techniques, etc., and this diversity of offerings is really where Genesis Product’s product managers and design team comes into play. Not just to show them what is available, but, perhaps, also to generate new ideas.
Phyllis Beyers, product manager for decorative surfaces and design at Genesis, and host of the Web video series, Friday Flatlay (see below), said that one of the strengths of the company is the deep knowledge of available products and how those products can best be used to serve its customers.
To keep up to date, Beyers meets with Genesis Product’s suppliers throughout the year to review new product offerings, design trends and materials. Trade shows such as Neocon and KBIS also offer design trend inspirations.
“It is important to gain product knowledge on all of our suppliers,” she said, “how their materials perform? What are they good at? What is their niche if there is one? The goal is to become a product expert and take that knowledge back to Genesis Products to determine how to use the materials and how to incorporate them into our manufacturing processes that make sense.”
This is especially true if a customer has specific needs, she said. For example, “If they want water holdout or they want to be able to miter-fold material, or any number of needs, we have specific materials that we can offer that makes sense from a production standpoint and a warranty standpoint for our customers,” Beyers said. “We really try to guide them and give them the best options without being biased.”
