1. Client Background

• Local Canadian furniture suppliers quoted 16-week lead times, which would delay the start of the school year.
• Imported furniture from the U.S. was 30% over budget and lacked the durable, eco-friendly materials required by the district’s sustainability policies.

2. Customer Requirements & Project Objectives

1. Regulatory Compliance: Meet Canada’s CSA B181.1 ergonomic standards for student furniture, plus E1-grade emissions and FSC-certified wood requirements.
2. Functional Ergonomics:
   • Height-adjustable desks (24–32 inches) and chairs (14–18 inches) to accommodate students from grades 3 to 8.
   • Scratch-resistant, spill-proof work surfaces to withstand daily classroom use.
   • Built-in book storage compartments to reduce clutter.
    
3. Aesthetic & Durability: Neutral gray frames with light maple finishes (matching the district’s existing classroom decor) and powder-coated steel frames for long-term durability.
4. Timeline & Scale: Deliver 500 sets within 10 weeks, to be installed before the fall semester.

3. Customization & Design Process

• Ergonomic Validation: The height-adjustable range was finalized after testing with 20 students, confirming it supported proper posture for 8–13 year olds.
• Prototype Testing: A full desk-and-chair set was shipped to Toronto for a 2-week trial in a grade 5 classroom. Teachers noted: “The adjustable heights let every student sit comfortably, and the spill-proof surface cleaned up easily after art class.”
• 3D Rendering Alignment: MEI YI provided 3D layouts of 30 desks per classroom, confirming the design fit the district’s standard 80 sq. ft. classroom dimensions without overcrowding.

• 

4. Production & Quality Assurance

• Production Schedule:
  • Weeks 1–2: Sourced FSC-certified E1-grade maple, powder-coated steel frames, and spill-resistant laminate.
  • Weeks 3–9: Mass production (2 lines, 40 sets/week per line) with 3 full-time quality inspectors.
  • Week 10: Final inspection and protective packaging.
   
• Rigorous Quality Checks:
  1. Compliance Testing: 10% of sets were tested for CSA B181.1 ergonomic standards and E1 emissions—all passed.
  2. Functional Testing: Height adjustment mechanisms were cycle-tested 300 times; work surfaces were spill-tested with water and paint.
  3. Durability Testing: Frames were load-tested to 150kg, confirming stability for active students.

  4. 

   

5. Logistics & Delivery

• Packaging: Each set was flat-packed and wrapped in moisture-resistant film, with reinforced corners to protect the finish during cross-continental transit.
• Customs Clearance: Pre-submitted ISO/E1/FSC/CSA documents cleared the Port of Vancouver in 2 days, avoiding typical delays for uncertified goods.
• Final Delivery: The 500 sets arrived 1 day early (9.5 weeks total). MEI YI included a bilingual (English/French) assembly guide and a local Toronto contact for post-delivery support.

6. Customer Feedback & Project Results

• Student & Teacher Satisfaction: 92% of teachers reported improved student focus due to ergonomic seating; one grade 6 teacher noted: “The adjustable heights mean no more slouching, and the storage keeps our classrooms organized.”
• Durability Performance: After 2 months of daily use, no sets showed damage to frames or surfaces—critical for high-traffic K-12 environments.
• Cost & Timeline Wins: MEI YI’s pricing was 25% lower than U.S. imports, freeing up $50k in the district’s budget for classroom tech upgrades. The early delivery ensured classrooms were ready for the fall semester.
• Repeat Partnership: The district placed a follow-up order for 300 sets 8 weeks later, to upgrade 10 more classrooms in 2026.