Over the last three years, Built by Newport, a family-owned hardwood furniture manufacturer in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, has made significant investments in highly automated equipment and software, including four 5-axis CNC routers, a robotic finish sprayer, and automated software to service warehousing functions. (CNC stands for computer numerical control, which enables automated equipment to complete tasks to exact specifications.)

“These investments have really paid off,” said Julie Laforce, president and director of Organizational Development at the furniture manufacturer. “We’ve improved quality and service to our customers and created a safer environment for our workforce.”

Laforce said that investing in automation has long been part of Built by Newport’s company strategy as it strives to be the best employer in its region. “These changes allow us to enhance our capabilities and capacity using the workforce we have, resulting in the ability to enhance compensation for our team.

Built by Newport is a member of the Center’s Northern Forest Board Forum, a facilitated, peer-to-peer advisory group that brings leaders of wood product companies together to provide organizational development training and help them advance their businesses.

The Center also helped Built by Newport improve its organizational culture and make other enhancements in the last 10 years through the Center’s wood products innovation program.

“Automation is a key component of Built by Newport’s vision for both its immediate and long-range goals,” said Amy Robinson, business innovation advisor for the Center. “They’re making the kind of changes across the company that will help them remain competitive and continue to be one be one of the Northeast Kingdom’s most important employers.”