Scaling Craftsmanship: How The Horizon Group, Inc. Automated Their Sanding Tasks

The Horizon Group, Inc. needed to remove monotonous, repetitive tasks from their skilled craftsmen to increase production capacity without increasing their total headcount. They spent years searching for a solution, finding that “out-of-the-box” options didn’t fit their needs, while custom third-party builds were either too expensive or risked becoming rigid “legacy systems” that would be hard to update.

The project began with a web search that led The Horizon Group, Inc. to Vention. The process was highly communicative; a sales representative worked through a series of conversations to design a system that fit their specific budget and physical shop constraints. A key design phase involved adding a linear rail to ensure the robot could cover the necessary distance. To refine the deployment, the team added a 6mm pad to the actuator to better absorb height differences and prevent the tool from digging into edges.

The Horizon Group, Inc.’s transition to automation has successfully redirected its skilled builders from repetitive, monotonous tasks toward complex fabrication. While the team does not currently track specific percentages, they have confirmed that the automated sanding mesh offers superior longevity and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional equipment. The system has proven particularly effective for high-volume batches of uniform wood and solid-surface material panels, allowing the custom and finishing departments to maintain production levels without increasing headcount or relying on rigid legacy systems.