Sauder Closets, a division of Sauder Building Products and Sauder Woodworking Co., showcased its latest innovations and product developments earlier this year at the International Builders Show (IBS) held at the end of February at the Las Vegas Convention Center and the 2024 Closets Conference & Expo, held April 17-19 at the Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Expo attendees saw new finishes plus learned more about Sauder’s new manufacturing processes and designs that Chad Arndt, national sales manager, says show the company’s commitment to bringing top-of-the-line products to market.

Aiming to diversify its offerings beyond the popular white finish, Sauder introduced two new finishes for its closet line—Ashton Oak and Modern Grey—which complement its current finishes Glacier White, Spiced Mahogany, and Slate Rift. Also, the company has invested in a small batch manufacturing process for its cabinet and closet products, allowing for more flexibility in customizing orders and meeting specific customer requirements. This move is expected to enhance the overall customer experience and offer a broader range of choices.
 

The small batch line has two cells consisting of the SCM Morbidelli x200 - Nesting CNC Machining Center with robotic arms to move material and the SCM Flextore EL for material storage.

Sauder Closets plans to move from side mount to undermount soft-close slides.

Another major innovation for Sauder is the change in its drawer design. Moving from side-mount to undermount soft-close slides, the new drawers provide enhanced durability and a smoother user experience, Arndt says. The company’s approach includes a linen polypropylene material for the drawer, enabling the addition of larger drawer sizes, such as a potential 36-inch drawer in the future.

“We created a process for our cabinetry division, where it makes a miter fold drawer. So, basically, we take a stick of moulding, and we miter fold that in a machine we built at Sauder,” Arndt explains. “To build a drawer. It’s got a half-inch drawer bottom in it; it’s fully wrapped. So, the mouldings wrap around the drawer bottom, and then we clamp it and pin nail it, but every joint and the whole groove is glued.

“It’s a very robust drawer,” he adds. “So, we’ll be switching from side mount to undermount soft close slides, which is a much nicer application, easier to install. It’s going to be a much more durable drawer.”

Additionally, Sauder featured a Whole Home concept at the Expo, emphasizing that their products extended beyond closets and into various spaces within a home. Booth displays ranged from entertainment walls to closet solutions, offering a comprehensive look at the company’s diverse product portfolio.

Education and training 
Along with its investment in the manufacturing process, the company invests in education and training for its dealers with its new Closets Training Program.

The program is an intense, three-day seminar held on-site in the Archbold plant’s training center. Led by Eric Marshall of The Closets Training Institute, attendees participate in training for several days and tour Sauder’s manufacturing plants to better understand the company’s manufacturing processes and capabilities.

Learn more about Sauder at sauderclosets.com.