Pros and Cons of NEXGEN Cabinet Doors in Tafisa Karisma Colours
Updated November 20, 2024
Are NEXGEN cabinet doors in Tafisa Karisma colours a product you should sell? Learn about the pros and cons of this product.
If you’re a contractor, cabinet maker, or part of the woodworking industry, you know how important it is to keep expanding your customer base. After all, doing a great job means you might not see repeat business from the same clients. One way to attract more customers is to offer options for every budget. You probably have the high-end and mid-range projects covered, but what about a quality choice for low-budget, high-volume projects? If you’re missing that, NEXGEN cabinet doors could be your answer.
At Cutting Edge, we’ve worked with NEXGEN cabinet doors for over five years, so we know them inside and out. With numerous suppliers, collections, and colour options, we want to focus on one specific collection: the Tafisa Karisma.
In this article, you’ll find:
- Pros of NEXGEN doors in Tafisa Karisma colours,
- Cons of NEXGEN doors in Tafisa Karisma colours,
- And whether NEXGEN doors from the Karisma collection are a product you should offer.
But first, here’s a quick refresher course on what NEXGEN doors are.
NEXGEN™ Doors Are a Wrapped Product
In 2016, Olon Industries Inc. trademarked the NEXGEN™ product line. Since then, they have remained the main producer and supplier of NEXGEN materials.
NEXGEN materials typically have an MDF core with either a TFL or polyester wrap, which makes the doors stable, high-quality, and cost-effective.
However, Tafisa® has developed its own product, similar to NEXGEN doors – the Karisma® collection.
Although Karisma doors don’t use the same TFL or polyester wraps as true NEXGEN doors, most people in the industry still refer to them as NEXGEN cabinet doors due to the similarities between products.
Now, let’s dive into the pros of this product.
Pros of NEXGEN Doors in Tafisa Karisma Colours
Unlike the other NEXGEN collections, Tafisa Karisma products do not come from Olon Industries. This leads to a unique set of pros and cons.
1. Low Minimum Order Quantity
Unlike Olon Industries, Tafisa has developed the Karisma collection to make it easily accessible. Where all products from Olon come with a hefty minimum order quantity (at least enough for 55 cabinet doors), Tafisa allows suppliers to order much less material each time. Their minimum order quantity is enough material for approximately 20 cabinet doors.
So why does this matter?
Their lower minimum order quantity means you can order all 14 wood grain options in each profile.
2. Stable and Durable
With the MDF core, Karisma products are as stable as the NEXGEN products from Olon Industries. The MDF core limits movement of the door over time – for example, warp, twist, expansion and contraction.
The paper wrap around the exterior of the MDF core offers limited scratch, heat and fade resistance; enough to make this product durable, but not as durable as the NEXGEN products from Olon. More about these limitations later!
3. Mimics Real Wood for a Lower Price
The Karisma collection mimics real wood with accurate textures, patterns and colours. And, thanks to the MDF core and paper wrap, they are much less expensive than wood doors – almost half the cost.
The MDF core provides the stability of wood with compressed, recycled wood fibres, while the paper wrap eliminates the need for expensive finishes.
However, this leads us to our first drawback of the Karisma material.
Cons of NEXGEN Cabinet Doors in Tafisa Karisma Colours
Because Tafisa focused on making the Karisma collection easy to sell and purchase, with a small minimum order quantity, their products have some unique drawbacks – starting with the cost.
1. Less Cost-Effective Than Other Products
By reducing the minimum order quantity, Tafisa has, in effect, reduced the efficiency of their factory. Thus, they had to increase the cost of the Karisma collection accordingly so they could still make a profit.
Tafisa Karisma products cost approximately $5 more per square foot than comparable products. When you quote on a high-volume, low-budget project, this price difference could make the difference between winning or losing the job.
2. Extended Lead Time on Some Colours and Profiles
At Cutting Edge, we stock six of the 14 colours in two profiles. Most other colours and profiles have a 2-4 week lead time instead of a 1-2 week lead time. The extra two weeks allow us enough time to bring the material in from our supplier.
However, due to lower demand for some profiles and colours (specifically the Beta profile), our suppliers no longer stock these materials at nearby warehouses. These options have a 6-8 week lead time as the material has to come from eastern Canada.
3. Less Durable Than Other NEXGEN Products
Finally, Tafisa uses paper wrap instead of the TFL or polyester wrap used by other suppliers. Although the paper wrap is still heat- and fade-resistant, it is less scratch-resistant than the other NEXGEN products.
Once you have installed the cabinet doors, they stand up well to everyday use. However, it is much easier to scratch, dent, or chip the cabinet doors during transit, unpacking and installing. To prevent damage, your team will need to handle Tafisa Karisma products more carefully than other NEXGEN products.
Should You Sell NEXGEN Cabinet Doors in Tafisa Karisma Colours?
So, should you display and sell Tafisa Karisma doors? The choice is yours.
Over the last year, our customers have found that the smaller minimum order quantity is a major benefit, allowing them to order any colour in any profile, including some decorative mouldings. This availability sets the Tafisa Karisma product line apart from other NEXGEN products.
And, even if you order a product with an extended lead time, that lead time is still comparable to the lead time for restocking other NEXGEN materials.
Learn About Pricing for Tafisa Karisma NEXGEN Cabinet Doors
Before you decide to bring on a new product line, you need to understand that product line completely. A lack of information or understanding will cost you money – whether due to mistakes or miscommunications, low-quality products, delays, or unhappy customers.
As you work to become a trusted installer, you can’t afford any of these issues.
So, now that Cutting Edge has explained the unique characteristics of Tafisa Karisma NEXGEN doors, it is time for you to take the next step so you can make a fully informed and smart decision. Learn how much NEXGEN cabinet doors in Tafisa Karisma colours cost.
