Heather Miller
Specializing in high-end architectural and marine hardware, Lowe Hardware offers an expansive collection and custom designs for fine cabinetry, doors, and windows. But these aren’t your everyday fixtures. Their doorknobs, pulls, levers, hinges, and more grace everything from yachts to prestigious properties, hotels, and even billionaires’ homes.
As a family-run business in Maine since 1982, Lowe Hardware has grown from a few people working in the shop during the early days to 25 full-time employees today. Hand craftsmanship, longevity, and timeless aesthetics are a hallmark of Lowe Hardware. Meticulous quality checks and designing for durability ensure that every piece is both beautiful and functional.
“We stand out because we pay attention to the details,” says Elliot Lowe, Principal, Lowe Hardware. “Even if there’s a minor scratch, flaw, or imperfection that no one would ever see, we don’t let that go through. We have a lot of machining and engineering done on CNC machines. But, at the end of the day, each product goes through the hands of a human. Rather than automating that process, there is a human touch that makes us unique.”
Discovering new advantages with Autodesk Fusion Operations
The company’s success isn’t just about superior products—it’s also about how they’re made. About five years ago, Lowe Hardware adopted Autodesk Fusion and added Autodesk Fusion Operations last year to streamline their manufacturing process.
What began as a manual, spreadsheet-driven system has evolved into a state-of-the-art operation with Fusion Operations capable of handling Lowe Hardware’s more than 14,000 SKUs. One of their core challenges before adopting Fusion Operations was the visibility of production data in the actual orders.
“We used to have a FileMaker system to keep track of orders, using it to quote and ship,” Lowe says. “We were manually pulling data out of it to set a schedule, and it just wasn’t working. We got to the point where we could have 120 open orders and on that one order it might have 50 different SKUs—so you can do the math. We needed a better way to do it, and Fusion Operations has made a huge difference. Batch production will also be a really big deal for us moving forward, as well as figuring out how we can manufacture similar products together to help gain on our lead times.”
“With every product that needs to be made, we now have a thorough transparency on that process with Fusion Operations,” adds Haroon Waseem, design and development engineer, Lowe Hardware. “There are so many features that help me see when orders are due and digitally create production orders that were previously done manually. It frees us up for future opportunities and new business since we’re no longer trying to catch up or missing data.”
“Fusion Operations has transformed our process. We’ve reduced back orders from 36% to just 10% in six months. Soon that will be down to zero, and we won’t even have the problem of back orders anymore because we’re using Fusion Operations.”
—Elliot Lowe, Principal, Lowe Hardware
Gaining new efficiencies and automation with Fusion
Lowe Hardware’s use of Fusion and its Manufacturing Extension has also revolutionized its workflow with its extensive machinery, including 3-axis and 4-axis machines, two 5-axis machines, four turning centers, a 9-axis machine, and more. From intricate simulations to lights-out manufacturing, the platform allows for a seamless experience, ensuring that every project, whether a one-off custom order or a larger production run, is handled with the same level of precision.
“We have one 5-axis machine with an eight-station pallet pool that helps us with lights-out production,” Waseem says. “Simulating in Fusion with all our fixtures helps us set up the programs in a way that it can run unattended, especially at night if we have larger quantities to produce.”
“One of our machines has a bar feeder, and Fusion recently introduced better bar-pull handling,” he continues. “We go through tons of bars which we can just let run, and they are right there and ready in the morning.”
“5-axis machines are all about orientations, geometry, and seeing what the machine can do. With Fusion, we can really strategize to look at the tools and clearly view what’s possible. It unlocks a whole new dimension of machine strategies, especially with simultaneous, multi-access machining. The way we can machine now has made our products better.”
—Elliot Lowe, Principal, Lowe Hardware
Growing the business
With Lowe Hardware’s exponential growth over the last decade, they have simply outgrown their original shop. With a manufacturing facility opening this spring, Lowe Hardware is poised for even more growth—and Fusion and Fusion Operations will continue to play a key role.
“Currently, we don’t have a good layout…we’re too cramped and don’t have enough space to put everything,” Lowe says. “In my mind, the production floor should mimic how things flow through Fusion, Fusion Operations, and the different stages of the project. In our new space, we’ll now be able to align our physical and digital workflows. It’s an exciting time for us.”