DBJ Furniture Limited, where anything less than near-perfection is unacceptable.

2024/11/04   |   Auckland   |   New Zealand

DBJ Furniture Limited specialized in high-end and custom cabinetry and really focus on the top-end commercial and residential sector - highly custom and bespoke cabinetry from kitchen right through to wine cellars, bathrooms, garage cabinets, TV rooms, media rooms, all that sort of stuff.

Paul Walkinton is one of the co-owners and managing directors at DBJ Furniture Limited in Auckland, New Zealand. When Walkinton discovered DBJ Furniture, he recognized an opportunity to contribute his management expertise. The business was at a scale that necessitated professional management and was lacking in modern technology and systems pertaining to programming drawings at the time of his takeover. With an aging CNC machine and edge bander, Walkinton saw a chance to make significant investments and elevate the company to a new level. "We've always operated in the high end of the manufacturing business with cabinetry. Typically, our clients are architects, builders- or interior designers, but we also do some work for private individuals. Often, we are building to the sites and to specific site measures so our cabinets can be very different sizes and shapes." 

The company was developed really to fit a niche in New Zealand. Today, DBJ do highly customized new build with respect to cabinetry and is one of the largest subcontractors in the region in the cabinetry sector.

Craftsmanship, perfection, and innovation

DBJ Furniture Limited is highly dedicated to merging technology with traditional hand craftsmanship, embodying values of craftsmanship, perfection, and innovation. Their work extensively involves solid timber, including the creation of unique solid timber handles. And a significant use of brass, much of which is manufactured in-house, except for components requiring welding.

Diverse materiality is a hallmark of DBJ's approach, incorporating various timber veneers and solid timber. Since around 2008 to 2010, there has been a noticeable increase in popularity for these materials in New Zealand, although trends fluctuate. However, brass is viewed as a timeless material, valued for its classical appeal and durability, suggesting it will remain in use for years to come. The company's dedication to employing a wide range of materials testifies to their commitment to quality and innovation in their projects.

In New Zealand, the architects, and interior designers they collaborate with continually push the boundaries of design, producing remarkable and innovative creations. DBJ Furniture aims to be at the forefront of innovation, particularly in integrating technology with traditional craftsmanship. The technology they employ includes extensive use of CNC programming to enhance detail, a technique that has significantly evolved over the past five years. This fusion ensures that their end clients, alongside architects and interior designers, know exactly what they're getting.

”It is important that as DBJ that we are delivering quality product and with that comes the need to get technology. For us our HOMAG edge bander EDGETEQ S-200 is an important part of our process here at DBJ. Our edge bander does both laser edge bander and PVC and PUR glue", explains Paul Walkinton. And he continues: "So, it's just a good example when we invested in our edge bander of providing a luxury product at relatively low cost. I think that the fine eye can see in luxury brands, the difference between other kitchens or other pieces of cabinetry and I think technology and machinery helps with process as well. Very fine details around edge banding with no glue lines, CNC to millimeter perfect, all that sort of stuff really helps us with quality."

All in one – The HOMAG airTec edge bander EDGETEQ S-200

DBJ Furniture's previous Edge Brander was a BRANDT model, which performed exceedingly well. However, reflecting their status as a luxury brand and their desire to lead in technological innovation, they sought to enhance the quality of their finishes. In pursuit of advancements, DBJ Furniture collaborated closely with his partner in Auckland to discuss the transition to a HOMAG edge bander with airTec technology. Because a significant advantage of this new technology was the airTec system, which operates without glue, reducing mess and moreover environmental impact by eliminating odors—factors crucial to DBJ’s operations in New Zealand. This edge bander, capable of utilizing airTec, PVC Glue, and PUR Glue, broadened DBJ Furniture's capabilities across a wide range of materials, from melamine and acrylics with airTec to wood veneer requiring tectum, with seamless switching between glues.

For DBJ Furniture, investing in machinery is akin to investing in a partnership, emphasizing the importance of support, quality, and responsive service. Quick and effective service, a deep understanding of the product, and direct access to knowledgeable contacts for queries are paramount.

Given the precision of the EDGETEQ S-200 and DBJ’s stringent quality standards, considerable effort is invested in training staff to make meticulous adjustments, ensuring flawless operation. This thorough understanding of the machinery is not just a requirement but a cornerstone of DBJ’s luxury brand ethos, where anything less than near-perfection is unacceptable.

“One of the other attributes I really like about AirTec is that it's really good with high humidity and moisture. In fact we did a test with airTec on some black melamine and we left it outside for a month and then we got it in there was no damage at all to it so we put it in the sink overnight and then took it out again no damage and no water ingress. I think details like that it's really important.”

Durability and the longevity of materials are critical

DBJ Furniture operates within the unique marine environment of New Zealand, where many of the luxury homes they furnish are situated directly on the waterfront. Durability and the longevity of materials are critical considerations in these settings. To this end, DBJ primarily utilizes laser tape in conjunction with their HOMAG airTec technology, a choice that has become increasingly advantageous as the range of available colors has expanded significantly. Whereas three to five years ago, the palette for new melamine colors and woodgrain finishes was limited to basic hues like black, white, and anthracite, there is now a broad spectrum of colors being employed. The use of laser tape with airTec technology ensures a superior finish without the visible glue lines that can mar the appearance on certain colors, enhancing the durability against moisture—making it particularly suited for use in bathrooms and vanities.

Additionally, the last three to four years have seen the introduction of soft touch acrylics into the market, which also benefit from the application of edge tape via airTec. These products, notable for their fine, soft texture, can be finished with 1.2mm edge tape that seamlessly blends with the original material, creating an indistinguishably integrated appearance.

For DBJ Furniture, investing in the latest machinery and technology is a priority, as they strive to remain at the cutting edge of industry advancements. They are aware of the rapid pace at which technology evolves and are committed to being at the forefront of these changes. DBJ is transparent with their clients about the machinery they utilize and the reasons for its use. This openness is not about increasing costs but is centered on fulfilling their promise to provide luxurious, beautifully finished cabinetry that meets their high standards of perfection.

In terms of special projects, DBJ Furniture was quite fortunate in Auckland due to the presence of large golf course developments occurring about an hour and a half north of Auckland. There had been many offshore sections sold in that area, which were significantly nourishing the high end of the market in and around Auckland at that time. A lot of architectural building companies had a lot of work up there, and DBJ Furniture had the good fortune to capitalize on this economic influx.

One notable aspect of this trend was the influx of overseas clients, who brought with them a variety of unique demands for the local interior designers and architects, and consequently for DBJ Furniture to fulfill in construction. These international clients introduced diverse perspectives in terms of size, scale, and finished aesthetics in various rooms, enriching the design and construction landscape with their international standards and expectations. DBJ Furniture observed that their overseas clients also introduced a broad array of materials into the rooms. In addition to brass and steel, stone elements, leather materials, and similar finishes were incorporated, significantly expanding the traditional cabinetry scope beyond wood veneers or solid timber. This diversity in finishes, textures, and shapes greatly broadened their perspective. Being part of this innovative process, alongside their clients as well as architects and interior designers, was an exciting development for DBJ Furniture.

Paul Walkinton: “We've upgraded our machinery. We're very vocal, as I've said, with our client base, talking to them, discussing with them what we offer, project management, lots of different, the ability to manufacture things that other people will shy away from. So yeah, our brand is very well regarded here in Auckland and throughout New Zealand for the top end manufacturing and we're really proud of that.”