Streamlining Flooring Procurement for Cole Haan
Overview
Through an introduction by fellow affiliate of The MOB Scott Stolz of TTI Logistics, Earl Wasserman connected with Eric Korth to address a clear gap in the market: the need for a flooring partner free from unnecessary overhead, hidden specification agendas, and restrictive custom requirements. The goal was simple—deliver transparency, efficiency, and results without compromising design intent or performance.
The Challenge
Cole Haan required a flooring solution that:
- Avoided NYC-driven overhead and inflated costs
- Eliminated private labeling and opaque product identities
- Removed custom specifications and minimum production run constraints
- Balanced design intent, budget, performance, and availability
Traditional procurement models introduced friction, cost, and unnecessary complexity.
The Approach
Earl Wasserman responded immediately and transparently, establishing trust from the outset.
Key elements of the approach included:
- Complete Transparency
Full visibility into vendors, product identities, and pricing—no hidden agendas, no private labels. - Specification-Driven Solutions
Identification and sampling of new flooring specifications that directly aligned with Cole Haan’s design vision while meeting performance and budget requirements. - Direct Procurement Model
A streamlined, manufacturer-direct path that eliminated unnecessary layers of gross margin.
The Solution
The final flooring specifications:
- Removed custom and minimum production run barriers
- Improved overall product quality
- Offered reliable domestic availability
- Reduced lead-time risk while maintaining design integrity
This approach ensured flexibility and scalability for future projects.
Result
Cole Haan achieved meaningful cost savings through simplified procurement and cleaner specifications. More importantly, the process delivered exactly what was promised—clarity, trust, and results.
Eric Korth cited particular appreciation for the sense of trust and community delivered through The MOB, noting that all objectives were met smoothly and without friction.
Subsequent Value Engineering
In a subsequent value engineering initiative a year later, Earl Wasserman found a new domestic manufacturer who reduced Cole Haan’s wood floor cost by 33%, without sacrificing design intent or product quality.
Takeaway
By removing overhead, eliminating hidden agendas, and prioritizing transparency, this engagement demonstrated how modern flooring procurement can be both efficient and relationship-driven—without sacrificing quality or design intent.
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