Metal provides a level of strength and longevity other materials simply can’t match.
That’s why it’s used in almost everything around us -- from structural support beams of skyscrapers to even your bed frame.
Just like finding the right mattress, finding the right metal bed frame manufacturer is something you want to get right the first time.
5 Considerations for Selecting a Metal Bed Frame Manufacturer
When vetting a bed frame manufacturer, there are a few factors to consider before signing on any dotted line, such as:
- Experience
- Manufacturing processes for durability
- Capabilities
- Location
- Quality control
Experience
This is a no-brainer, but it can be overlooked.
While a metal manufacturer may say it can handle fabricating your bed frame, if it lacks the wisdom of experience, how confident can you be that your bed frames will look and function exactly as they should?
Even if the manufacturer has never made a bed frame before, its work fabricating similar products -- be it angle iron structures or appliance interior framework -- does mean something. Creating a frame that meets size and weight requirements is nothing new.
It’s also important to ask about the experience level of your manufacturer’s staff. A veteran staff will be able to more than take on making your bed frames, no matter what issues come up.
Manufacturing Process for Durability
Your customer will likely have their bed frame long after they replace the bed and boxspring set.
Your bed frames should be built to last.
For the strongest metal bed frames, welding is your best bet.
Frame joints welded together are stronger. That’s because unlike bolting, welding does not create any holes in a metal piece, compromising its integrity. Welding is also permanent. What’s more, welding can be extremely precise.
When discussing welding with your metal manufacturer, ask about:
- Weld joint geometry
- Weld test parameters
- Weld finishing, such as grinding
Location
The first rule in real estate -- location, location, location -- also applies to your metal bed frame manufacturer.
Where your bed frame manufacturer is operating from has big impacts on the rest of your business. Location is one of the biggest drivers in overall production costs.
Working with a domestic metal manufacturer means:
- Shorter lead times
- Lower transportation costs
- Faster response to shifts in market demand
- Accessibility
Beware: Even though overseas metal manufacturing may seem appealing with its low costs, you may end up negating any savings though production delays and transportation costs.
Resource: Explore other ways offshore manufacturing hurts your bottom line and hits your customers’ wallets.
Versatility
Customer preferences can change at the drop of a hat.
Working with a full-service metal fabricator that boasts wide-ranging capabilities means you’ll be able to produce bed frames that meet new market demands.
As we’re seeing now, customers aren’t always looking for a floor-level framework that’s covered by a boxspring skirt. New trends in interior design show that consumers are turning to furniture that is functional.
Popular metal bed frame styles, such as platform or trundle, are now going beyond supporting a mattress to providing extra storage or sitting space in a room.
With the right metal bed base manufacturer, your products will not only be able to evolve with the market, but also meet and exceed new consumer expectations.
Quality Control
The bed frames you produce should be something you’re proud of and would use yourself.
A bed frame manufacturer plays a direct role in the overall quality of your finished product.
The best time to explain your expectation for finished pieces is before entering a partnership. During those initial conversations, you can identify your requirements for bed frame quality and ask about a manufacturer’s:
- Familiarity with current testing standards
- Certifications
- Inspection processes and documentation availability
- Testing parameters for raw materials and finished products
Investigating a metal manufacturer's quality control practices before partnering up saves you from the headache of dealing with defective final products.
Finding Your Metal Bed Frame Manufacturer
Partnering with a metal manufacturer on any project is a big commitment. And it does take time to find one that’s the right fit.
With a metal bed base manufacturer that meets these five criteria, you’ll never lose sleep over the product you’re creating together.
