Original equipment manufacturers are rarely searching for a new material just for the sake of innovation.
They are usually trying to solve a recurring problem.
A wood component absorbs moisture. A board splits around a fastener. A painted surface needs to be refinished. An outdoor component rots before the rest of the product reaches the end of its service life.
The manufacturer replaces the part, processes the warranty claim and sends another piece of the same material into the same environment.
At some point, replacing the component is no longer the solution.
Changing the material is.
The Weakest Material Can Define the Entire Product
An OEM product may combine metal, polymers, hardware and wood into one finished system.
Even when most of the product remains fully functional, one deteriorated component can affect its appearance, performance and customer perception.
Wood components are particularly vulnerable when the finished product encounters:
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Rain and humidity
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Ground contact
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Repeated washing
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Refrigeration or condensation
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Saltwater or freshwater
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Insects
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Outdoor storage
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Industrial spills
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Heavy, repetitive use
Paint, stain and sealant can protect wood temporarily, but they also create additional manufacturing steps and future maintenance requirements.
For products expected to remain outside or around moisture, organic material may be the wrong starting point.
Artisan Is More Than a Standard Deck Board
Lumberock Artisan is an industrial plastic lumber line developed for commercial, manufacturing and specialized applications.
It is manufactured from high-density polyethylene and inorganic mineral fillers. The material contains no wood fiber or organic filler and resists water, rot, mold, mildew and insect damage.
Artisan does not need to be painted, stained or sealed. It will not splinter, and its color is present throughout the material rather than applied as a surface coating.
That makes it useful for OEMs seeking a consistent component that can tolerate environments where wood requires continual protection.
Start With a Standard Profile—or Develop Something More Specific
Not every OEM application needs a custom extrusion.
Artisan offers standard profiles including:
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1×4
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1×6
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1×10
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2×2
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2×4
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2×6
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2×8
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4×4
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Tongue-and-groove boards
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Groove-and-groove boards
Using an existing profile can simplify development and allow the manufacturer to evaluate the material before committing to a specialized design.
When a standard board does not meet the application, Lumberock can also explore custom shapes, sizes, lengths and colors.
The goal is not customization for its own sake. It is producing a component that integrates more efficiently into the finished product.
Where Can OEM Plastic Lumber Be Used?
Artisan can be considered for components used in:
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Commercial furniture
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Picnic tables and benches
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Animal stalls and enclosures
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Shipping and material-handling systems
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Pallets and dunnage
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Refrigeration applications
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Landscape products
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Athletic-field systems
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Fencing and partitions
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Marine and waterfront products
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Parks and recreation equipment
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Industrial carts and storage systems
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Outdoor equipment
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Custom fabricated assemblies
Each application must be evaluated for load, impact, temperature, expansion, fastening, fire performance and regulatory requirements.
Plastic lumber should not be treated as a dimensionally identical substitute for wood without engineering review. HDPE-based materials behave differently, particularly in stiffness and thermal expansion.
A successful material conversion accounts for those differences from the beginning.
Custom Color Can Become Part of the Product
OEM components do not always need to imitate wood.
A material can match an equipment line, reinforce a brand identity, identify product categories or help components blend into a particular environment.
Artisan is available in 12 standard colors, with additional custom colors available upon request.
Because the color runs throughout the material, normal cuts do not reveal an uncoordinated wood core beneath the surface.
OEMs should discuss color tolerances, order quantities and production requirements early in the development process. A custom color is most useful when it can be manufactured consistently and incorporated into the supply plan.
Fabrication Without an Entirely New Shop
Artisan can be cut and fabricated using familiar woodworking methods and standard tools, depending on the operation and profile.
That familiarity can make the transition from wood more practical for manufacturers. However, machining parameters, fastener selection, material movement and production tolerances should be validated during prototyping.
Drilling, routing or cutting any component can affect its performance. A sample that looks correct is not a substitute for application testing.
OEM development should include:
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Defining the component’s function
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Documenting loads and environmental exposure
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Selecting a standard or custom profile
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Evaluating fastening and assembly methods
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Accounting for expansion and contraction
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Producing and testing prototypes
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Confirming color and dimensional tolerances
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Establishing production quantities and supply requirements
The earlier the material supplier enters that process, the fewer assumptions must be corrected later.
Look Beyond Piece Price
Wood may have a lower initial component cost.
But OEM value should include more than the price of one board.
A complete comparison may consider:
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Painting or sealing operations
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Drying and curing time
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Rejected or warped lumber
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Moisture-related field failures
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Splitting around fasteners
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Warranty replacements
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Customer maintenance requirements
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Product downtime
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Expected service life
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End-of-life recyclability
Plastic lumber will not be the right answer for every component. But when the same wood part repeatedly fails for the same environmental reason, continuing to replace it may be the more expensive decision.
Design the Failure Out of the Product
The best warranty claim is the one that never has to be processed.
Lumberock Artisan gives OEMs a waterproof, rot-resistant and customizable material platform for products exposed to moisture, weather and demanding use.
Start with a standard board. Explore a custom profile. Test the application. Compare the complete lifecycle.
Most importantly, stop asking the same failed material to deliver a different result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lumberock manufacture custom plastic lumber profiles?
Yes. Custom shapes, sizes, lengths, colors and specialized applications are available, subject to manufacturing requirements and minimum quantities.
Can OEMs use standard Artisan boards?
Yes. Artisan offers numerous standard dimensional and tongue-and-groove profiles that may be suitable for OEM fabrication.
Can Artisan be machined like wood?
Artisan can be cut and fabricated using standard tools. All fabrication methods should be tested and validated for the specific component and production process.
Is Artisan structural lumber?
Do not assume that Artisan can replace structural wood on a one-for-one basis. The application must be evaluated using current product specifications and appropriate engineering.
Does Artisan require painting?
No. Artisan does not require painting, staining or sealing. Standard and custom colors are available.
What information should an OEM provide?
Useful starting information includes the component drawing, dimensions, annual volume, operating environment, anticipated loads, fastening method, color requirements and performance concerns with the current material.
Have a wood component that keeps failing? Send Lumberock your application requirements and explore a standard or custom Artisan solution.