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Raising the bar, reaping the rewards
SOFO Kitchens, in Port Coquitlam BC, decreases rendering time while increasing their closing rate with the implementation of VORTEK Spaces 3D rendering software.
Perhaps every cabinet maker with a dream in their heart imagines their future-self outfitting the country’s most expensive waterfront penthouse in gorgeous rift oak, walnut veneer and maple wood detail. For Radu Soos, who founded SOFO Kitchens in 2008 out of his purposefully-tidied garage; this is precisely what came to be.
Just 9 years later, with a long list of satisfied clients under their belt, the team at SOFO Kitchens shows no sign of slowing down. Maintaining a small family-oriented company vibe, combined with a strong emphasis on innovation – this is a team that works together and stays together. With a “Take care of the client and the money will take care of itself!” philosophy and a 99% referral-based work stream, this company’s closing strategy warrants a closer look.
“We use testimonials and word of mouth. VORTEK Spaces helps us close sales because people are so impressed with the way it looks. It’s just more professional, so it makes us look good.”
Yohiaki Ogata, Project Manager
When asked how they manage to attract and win such a high-volume of projects without spending on advertising, the company’s Project Manager Yoshiaki Ogata explained: “We use testimonials and word of mouth. VORTEK Spaces helps us close sales because people are so impressed with the way it looks. It’s just more professional, so it makes us look good.”
Ogata began using VORTEK Spaces as a rendering tool in summer 2016 and hasn’t looked back. The projects are drafted in Cabinet Vision and imported into VORTEK Spaces to create impressive renderings that take just seconds to appear on screen. From there, changes to materials and colors are made by selecting from the large and growing material library.
“It’s great. We wouldn’t go back. It’s easy to manage the angles and colors, easier to change the lighting. And it really brings out the features of a design like nothing else.”
Ogata takes advantage of the complete range of lighting profiles and camera effects to create images that outshine what the competition is showing their potential clients. When asked how buyers react to the renderings created in VORTEK Spaces, Ogata describes: “They love it. It really gets the ‘Wow that’s so great! I get to choose!’ reaction. It’s the ability to change the finishes that they love so much.”
Ogata typically presents a project with 3 different finish options. “I usually create 3 images with different color and finish options and the clients are very happy. So many of our clients are ‘visual’ people – they need to see what it’s really going to look like. And they really like knowing they have different options.”
Where some designers might, for the sake of efficiency and time-saving, shy away from producing multiple high-quality images with different finish options, Ogata knows better. “I would say with VORTEK Spaces I save about 50% of the time I used to spend creating renderings.”
Ogata looks forward to diving into the video capability of the software and leveraging the 360˚ views to further set the company apart from the competition.
With SOFO Kitchens on a customer service winning-streak on Houzz.com since 2014, it’s no surprise they’re unwilling to do less when they can so easily do more. This simple philosophy, along with a team ethic based on mutual support, drives results even the most “visual” person can clearly see.
Find out more about VORTEK Spaces >
About the Company
Name: SOFO Kitchens, Ltd.
Business: High-end Cabinet Manufacturer
Website: sofokitchens.com
Benefits achieved
- 50% decrease in time spent producing renderings
- Ability to easily change materials and finishes
- Ability to highlight design elements with use of lighting profiles and camera effects
- Higher closing rate achieved with high-quality renderings and multiple options
Comments
“We use testimonials and word of mouth. VORTEK Spaces helps us close sales because people are so impressed with the way it looks. It’s just more professional, so it makes us look good.”
Yohiaki Ogata, Project Manager