Client Background
The choice of budding vase vendors was one of the key issues of a concept store-based home decor distributor operating in the United Kingdom, which offers curated floral and lifestyle in the form of products to concept stores and interior designers. The vendor was seeking a reliable glass budding vase producer to make tailor-made small glass vases conforming to various client brand ideas such as minimalist and Nordic inspired and high-end gift lines.
Upon the visit to various manufacturers, the novice vase producer decided to cooperate with Mosteb as the production partner. This choice was informed by the fact that we have previously experienced success in small format glassware, the ability to flexibly customize, and maintain quality control, and effective communication with European customers.
Challenges
Two specific problems are often observed when it comes to creating bespoke budding vases with which certain brand ideas match:
- Exact Size, Proportion and Glass Thickness Control: Budding vases are small in size and proportion and balance is therefore of great essence. The client demanded a reduced size of silhouette with a bit of weighted bottom to secure stability but make the glass walls slender to have a sleek appearance. This balance was always to be obtained throughout the production without any distortion or uneven thickness of the mold unless the design of the mold and control of the processes were taken care of.
- Surface Finish/ Visual Consistency between Variants: To fit the collections of various customers, the vendor requested having the finishes such as clear, light amber, and frosted glass. It was difficult to have constant color tone, translucency and surface smoothness in small batches and repeat orders, in part due to the fact that the visual differences are more evident on small glass objects.
Result
To resolve these problems, Mosteb took a very-detailed, team-work approach. Throughout the project, we liaised with the upcoming vase vendor, starting with design discussion, until the actual production process, where every customization aspect was ensured to fit the target brand positioning.
Our attentively sampled processes, process modulations, and ongoing communication enabled us to produce high quality budding vases that were worthy of the visual and functional expectations of the clients of the vendor. The end products were accepted well in the UK market and assisted the vendor in reinforcing a rapport between them and their retailers.
How We Did It
- Pre-Production Work (Solution planning): To get a clear picture of the target market, scenarios of use, and design references, we began with serious discussions. On these inputs, we have suggested appropriate glass structures, base weight ratios, and finishing to compromise aesthetics, stability, and cost.
- Sample Production and Feedback Modification: First samples were made and submitted to the vendor. Following the feedbacks – through minor height alterations, addition of base thickness and adjustments to frost effects, etc. – we adjusted the molds and finishing procedures until they were fully approved.
- Mass Production and Cost Optimization: Once we got the sample approval, we streamlined the use of moulds, batch planning and accepted materials to ensure that the costs did not exceed and the quality was not compromised. Throughout the manufacturing process, we were updating regularly, sending photos, and inspectorial comments, making the process transparent.
- Continuous communication and Time-sensitive delivery: We were in close communication with the developing vase vendor throughout the entire process, asking questions and making changes in a timely manner. The schedule on production was well handled to guarantee timely delivery and customer satisfaction.
