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About Us

Since 1983, Cruze has served the upholstered furniture manufacturing industry with expertise in software development, technology and system support. An unmatched ability to customize software to client specifications, incorporate leading edge technology and provide seamless hardware and software support has placed Cruze at the forefront of technology leadership in the upholstery industry. Decades of hands-on experience combine to give clients the resources and knowledge they need to succeed by applying technology to the manufacturing process.

The Cruze approach is straightforward and defined by a few guiding principles.

Every client is unique. We customize our software to your process, because we know that’s what makes you successful.
Hands-on implementation leads to success. We come to you. We spend time with your managers, supervisors and plant personnel to implement our system.
Software should work for you – not the other way around. Our software is highly integrated and designed specifically for furniture manufacturing.
Turnkey service and support. This has always been our business model. We want to free your team up to do what they do best.

Our President

Byron Williamson joined Cruze as a programmer in 1986, just after earning his B.S. in Computer Science from East Tennessee State University. Founded in 1979 by Buddy Cruze, the company began as a family-owned business providing technology solutions to small businesses. Byron quickly rose through the ranks into leadership at Cruze, eventually assuming the role as president. In 2007, he became owner and has now run the business for nearly 20 years. Byron maintains the same philosophy from the company’s founding – to be a full-source solution for small businesses. He seeks to develop relationships with customers that are meaningful to both entities. “For us, it’s not about the number of installations. We don’t want just any customer. We want the right customer, where we can be a vested partner in the growth and success of the business.” That expertise comes from over 30 years of being in the field and observing issues that companies face in the daily operations of furniture manufacturing. “I know the industry and the nuances of the business they deal with every day – the way they maintain inventory, pay their employees, order materials and – at the end of the day – make a profit.”

"We solve complex business problems economically and with a turnkey implementation. What customers are buying is a confidence in me and my team that we can implement our solution and make it work in their environment"

Byron Williamson President,
Cruze Furniture Technologies

Our Founder

“I’ll fix it myself!” Buddy Cruze had had enough. In 1978, he purchased a mini computer to help run his specialty pallet manufacturing company. He soon found himself dealing with three different companies in his attempts to make the computer work. In frustration, Buddy dismissed the vendors and went to work learning to program the computer himself. He remembered thinking, “If this is how the computer business works, there must be great opportunity for someone who can do it better.” In the spring of 1979, Cruze Computer Systems was born. Buddy’s business premise was simple: When you buy a computer from me, I’ll take care of everything – the hardware, the software, the service and even the business forms. It was a model that resonated with small business owners in East Tennessee, and Cruze Computer Systems grew steadilyBuddy’s engineering background and common-sense approach to problem solving provided credibility with a variety of manufacturing and wholesale distribution companies. Using business analysis and computer automation, he guided each one to greater efficiency and increased profitability.. Forty years later, the company Buddy started is still going strong. Computer hardware is no longer the size of refrigerators, and software technology has evolved far beyond what he could have imagined in 1979.
"When you buy a computer from me, I’ll take care of everything – the hardware, the software, the service and even the business forms." Buddy Cruze, 1979
But the premise remains much the same. Cruze Computer Systems’ sole focus is solving business problems by customizing our ERP system to the needs of upholstered furniture manufacturer clients. Most software companies last only a few years before they lose focus, fail or move on to other things. Not Cruze. 40 years is a milestone we’re celebrating by executing every day the business model set in place by our founder. It’s in our DNA.

Products

Cruze Furniture Technologies is a leader in the upholstered furniture manufacturing space with a comprehensive offering of industry specific software and leading edge technology customized to address your needs.The latest version of ERP software for the upholstered furniture manufacturing industry from the team at Cruze gives you the flexibility and control you need. Cruze Control supports daily operations such as order entry, inventory management, multi-level bill of material, production scheduling, purchasing, billing, and payroll through a seamless, fully integrated platform. Optional features like remote order entry for customers and sales reps, customer portal for order tracking, EDI interfaces and web applications deliver added efficiencies and convenience for customers. We incorporate all kinds of technology in the plant such as overhead displays with images and notes for quality control, electronic scales for accurate fabric inventory, and cameras to capture work in process and finished goods at packing. Scanners, tablets, and mobile devices are strategically integrated to give you the up to the minute information you need. Our experience tells us we have it covered but every manufacturer is a little different. We modify our system to fit you because your ideas and experience make our solution even better!

Press Release

Thayer Coggin Partners with Cruze Furniture Technologies to Position for Future Growth

Family-owned business to implement Cruze Control software for improved operational efficiency

August 29, 2022 (KNOXVILLE, TN) Cruze Furniture Technologies has announced an agreement with Thayer Coggin, Inc., for implementation of the Cruze Control enterprise resource planning (ERP) system at the company’s workshops in High Point, N.C. Entering its 70th year in business, Thayer Coggin will leverage the software to support its continued growth in the home furnishings market. Thayer Coggin is known industry-wide for creating high-quality, handcrafted pieces featuring contemporary and unique designs. The company invests in creating made-to-order upholstered furniture engineered and manufactured to last for generations. Each piece is bench-made by a single craftsperson and made in the U.S. to ensure continuity in both quality and design. “We have wonderful craftspeople and strive to create an environment where people want to come to work every day,” said Royale Coggin Wiggin, president and CEO of Thayer Coggin. “Partnering with Cruze supports this goal and will help sustain our growth into the future.” Before partnering with Cruze, Thayer Coggin was running its business on an operating system it had been using for decades. The company was concerned about long-term sustainability and a potential shortage of programmers available to service the system. Eventually, growth outpaced the technology, and the need for a new ERP solution became clear. “We found we were doing things inefficiently, and we reached a point that we could no longer band-aid or duct tape our legacy system to do what we needed it to do,” said Wiggin. “Cruze took time to listen and were willing to adjust the software to accommodate the production flow our employees were accustomed to, but in a system with the tools we need to maximize our efficiency and operations.” Thayer Coggin had been familiar with Cruze Furniture Technologies, knowing several companies that had implemented the Cruze Control platform with successful outcomes. “We met with the team at Cruze, visited a reference site and spoke with other Cruze customers,” said Wiggin. “We were extremely impressed with the people, the company and the product.” Thayer Coggin will leverage Cruze Control for data analytics of order histories, sales and shipment data and more. With inventory control built into the programming, the system will help the business manage production, scheduling and order entry. Digital storage will mean less paper and easier access for all employees. “Because the technology is Windows-based, it will be user-friendly and present less of a learning curve for our employees,” said Wiggin. “And because it is designed with the nuances of upholstered furniture manufacturing in mind, Cruze Control will support the intricacies of customization that accompany our business.”
About Cruze Furniture Technologies Cruze Furniture Technologies is a leader in upholstered furniture manufacturing with a comprehensive offering of custom software, leading-edge technology and seamless hardware and software support. A full-source solution provider since 1979, Cruze designs and develops systems to support production and business operations for clients. Decades of hands-on experience give Cruze the knowledge and expertise to solve complex business problems in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
About Thayer Coggin Since 1953, Thayer Coggin has carved out a distinct identity in the home furnishings market through a commitment to timeless modern design. Through founder Thayer Coggin’s vision and Distinguished Design Award honoree Milo Baughman’s creations, Thayer Coggin has amassed a collection in some of the most recognizable furniture designs in the world. To learn more, visit www.thayercoggin.com

HomeStretch Selects Cruze Furniture Technologies to Scale with Growth of Operations

Cruze Control Platform Offers Automated, Customized Workflow for Furniture Manufacturing

April 9, 2020 (KNOXVILLE, TN) – Cruze Furniture Technologies announced today that it has partnered with HomeStretch, Inc., for implementation of its Cruze Control software at the company’s northeast Mississippi-based manufacturing facility. Specializing in production of upholstered motion furniture, HomeStretch manufactures top-quality pieces by investing in superior materials assembled entirely in the USA. The manufacturer maintains 100 percent of its inventory in stock, meaning up to 14,000 pieces are ready to ship at any time. “If a retailer needs furniture immediately, we’re prepared to ship it today,” said Rod Whitlock, Operations Manager. After facing limitations with its legacy accounting system, HomeStretch sought a solution capable of scaling with the growth and complexities of its high-transaction business. Whitlock researched a number of ERP systems and conducted a user analysis to define desired features and capabilities. Cruze offered advantages in being specifically designed for furniture manufacturing, as well as customizing its software to match the manufacturer’s workflow. Cruze also provides technical resources to assist in implementation and training, ensuring the solution is a custom fit to the business. “Everyone says they customize, but in truth that typically means that any change to the core software has to work for everyone else too,” said Whitlock. “At Cruze, they will find a way to customize the software to our needs; they are known for doing what they say they’ll do in a timely manner.” HomeStretch will leverage Cruze Control for real-time feedback on plant production and scheduling. Key features include automation of the plant’s master schedule, as well as automated order entry for the sales team. Cruze will also help HomeStretch track and maintain customer service records, among other key initiatives. “We have a documented scope of work, and Cruze has committed to seeing it through,” said Whitlock. “The Cruze platform is flexible enough to accommodate our growth and will grow with us. It’s a good investment and a great partnership.”
About HomeStretch HomeStretch is a domestic manufacturer of upholstered reclining furniture, available to the public through authorized retailers only. The company’s mission is to provide consumers with a high quality product at a compelling value. Based in northeast Mississippi, HomeStretch opened its doors in early 2010 under the direction of a team of industry veterans with a long history of furniture manufacturing experience. For more information, visit homestretchfurniture.com.
About Cruze Furniture Technologies
Cruze Furniture Technologies is a leader in upholstered furniture manufacturing with a comprehensive offering of custom software, leading-edge technology and seamless hardware and software support. A full-source solution provider since 1979, Cruze designs and develops systems to support production and business operations for clients. Decades of hands-on experience give Cruze the knowledge and expertise to solve complex business problems in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

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