About Us
Zelitee: Solid Hardwood Furniture – Operations, Process, and Sourcing Reality
Zelitee: Our Beginnings and Operating Model
Zelitee is a small, newly established woodworking workshop, currently in its first year of operation. We have chosen the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model to manage costs. Sales are conducted exclusively online through our website.
We produce high-utility, long-lasting solid wood furniture essentials such as dining tables, bookshelves, coffee tables, and storage cabinets. On our website, customers can customize basic parameters (like dimensions or finish color) before placing an order.
Material Selection and Sourcing Relationships
The quality of Zelitee products originates from our raw materials. We only use selected solid hardwoods: Oak, Walnut, Ash, and Maple. This choice is based on the known stability of these woods in typical home environments.
We work with a network of wood and component suppliers located in the United States. This is how we manage our supply chain:
Partnership with Large Lumber Suppliers: We purchase common wood species from volume suppliers such as Weyerhaeuser, Baillie Lumber, and Northwest Hardwoods to ensure basic and stable material availability.
Specialization with Millwork: For high-quality cuts and specialized lumber requirements, we collaborate with specialized millwork shops like Frank Miller Lumber and Baird Brothers.
Unique Materials: Figured or unique wood varieties are sourced from smaller suppliers like Bell Forest and Hearne Hardwoods.
Components: Mechanical fittings, including drawer slides, are selected from reliable U.S. manufacturers like Accuride, focusing on precision and stable functionality.
The Crafting Process: From Raw Lumber to Finished Piece
Zelitee’s production process focuses heavily on material integrity:
Wood Acclimation (Stabilization): This is a critical step. New lumber is brought into the workshop and held under controlled environmental conditions for several weeks until its internal moisture content reaches equilibrium. The purpose is to significantly minimize post-manufacture warping or movement once the product is in use.
Manufacturing and Assembly: Components are produced and assembled using a combination of craftsmanship and precise tooling.
Finishing: Products receive necessary protective coatings (such as oil or water-based lacquer) to enhance surface durability and moisture resistance.
Itemized Cost Transparency
With the D2C model, we implement a policy of clear cost transparency by distinctly separating our quotations into three core, non-aggregated cost components:
Material Cost: The actual cost of the hardwood (calculated by board foot) and components.
Production Cost: The direct labor cost (working time) for crafting, assembly, and finishing the product.
Freight Cost: The actual logistics cost from the workshop to the customer’s receiving location.
We provide this information so customers have a clear understanding of the value breakdown of the item.
Our Store
Address: 955 Vacationland Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Email: [email protected]
Support Time: Mon–Sun: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM EST
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