OEM vs ODM Furniture Manufacturing: What's the Difference, and Which One Do You Need?
Written by Andrius Misiunas, Founder & Commercial Director, WOODAIM.
Furniture brands looking for a manufacturer quickly run into two terms, OEM and ODM. They sound alike, but they describe two different ways of working, and the difference decides who owns the design.
What is OEM furniture manufacturing?
The brand brings the design. The manufacturer engineers, prototypes and produces it.
The design stays the brand's and isn't sold to anyone else. This suits design brands with their own collection.
What is ODM furniture manufacturing?
The manufacturer owns existing designs. A brand picks one, perhaps adjusts the finish or size, and sells it under its own label.
It is faster to market with less development cost, but it is not exclusive: other brands may sell the same piece.
OEM vs ODM side by side
| OEM | ODM | |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the design | The brand | The manufacturer |
| Exclusivity | Exclusive to the brand | Other brands may sell the same piece |
| Development time | Longer: engineering and prototyping come first | Shorter: the design already exists |
| Upfront cost | Higher: development is part of the project | Lower: development is already done |
| Control over details | Full control over every detail | Limited to adjustments such as finish or size |
| Best for | Design brands with their own collection | Brands that want a ready product under their label |
What if you only have an idea?
Many brands arrive with a strong idea but no production drawings. We do the technical development ourselves: joinery, dimensions and choice of wood.
The design stays yours. We turn it into something buildable, then build it.
Where does WOODAIM fit?
We are an OEM manufacturer for furniture brands, with no catalogue of our own. We make 50 to 500 pieces of a design, in repeat runs, under the brand's label.
We have worked this way with the Norwegian design brand Ygg&Lyng since 2019, producing their solid oak furniture in repeat batches.
Frequently asked questions
What does OEM mean in furniture manufacturing?
OEM (original equipment manufacturing) means the manufacturer builds furniture to the brand's own design, and the brand sells it under its own name. The design belongs to the brand.
What does ODM mean in furniture manufacturing?
ODM (original design manufacturing) means the manufacturer has already designed the furniture. A brand chooses a piece, often with small changes, and sells it under its own label.
Who owns the design in OEM manufacturing?
The brand. The manufacturer builds the design but does not sell it to anyone else.
Does WOODAIM offer ODM?
No. We don't have a catalogue of our own designs. We build to your design, and can do the technical development if you only have a sketch.
What is the minimum order?
It depends on the piece and the project. Our FAQ covers current order sizes.