Company Description – Braam’s Woodcraft Inc. (operating as Braam’s Custom Cabinets) originated in St. Thomas, Ontario, and now operates from multiple locations, including a 47,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in St. Thomas and two showrooms in London and Oakville. The company designs, manufactures, and installs custom cabinets, doors, painted and stained panels, islands, corbels, and related cabinetry for retail customers, custom builders, and developers.  

Homeowners and contractors choose Braam’s for its top-quality products and comprehensive support throughout the process. Braam’s clientele spans cottage country in the Muskoka region, the Greater Toronto Area, London, and Southwestern Ontario, as well as U.S. locations, including New York, Boston, South Carolina, and Florida. 

Project Description – Through the Digital Modernization Adoption Plan (DMAP), Braam’s identified inefficiencies in its manual, paper-based workflows, limited communication, and siloed teams, which caused frequent errors and delays. With DCC’s support, Braam’s implemented digital asset tracking with RFID technology, IoT sensors, and ERP integration, providing real-time access to digital, engineer-adjusted drawings. A key aspect of the modernization plan is replacing all paper drawings with fully digitized versions. These advancements streamline information sharing, improve accuracy, and reduce errors, driving productivity and profitability. 

Project Impact & Potential Outcomes – As a result of DCC’s support, Braam’s has already secured six new clients in Canada and internationally, achieving incremental sales of $3.9 million in Canada alone while creating and retaining seven jobs. The transition from paper to digital, paired with IoT integration for CNC machines, has reduced cutting errors, waste, and disposal costs by over 20%. Job completion times have improved by 25%, decreasing from 16 weeks to 12 weeks, and installation costs and time have also been reduced by 25%. These improvements are projected to boost profits by 50% by the end of the next fiscal year. 

Additionally, employee training on new technology has enhanced workforce value, leading to higher wages and benefits, which support the local economy. New hires, skilled in technology, will begin at higher wages, aligning with the company’s modernization. Improved efficiency and productivity enable Braam’s to focus on expanding its U.S. export market. Ongoing ERP and design program implementation will complete the transition to a paperless environment, supported by continuous staff training.