Meet the Onebest Furniture Solid Surface Skill Makers Series-Mike Chen

Meet our maker - Mike Chen, Polish Worker and Workshop Manager

1. What is your role at Isomi and how long have you worked for the company? I’m the Workshop Manager and a Polishing Fabricator at Onebest Furniture, and I’ve been part of the team for Seven years. My role combines hands-on making with overseeing the smooth running of the workshop. My main job is polishing all these solid surface items.

2. When did you first hear about Onebest Furniture, and what comes to mind when you think of the company? I’ve heard about Onebest Furniture for a while, and what always stood out to me was how genuinely authentic the brand is. When I think of Onebest Furniture, I immediately think of thoughtful design, true craftsmanship, and a level of quality that feels both honest and refined. When I think of Onebest Furniture, I immediately know the solid surface material can custom made lots of beautiful furniture, like counters, desk tables, art designs, bathroom furniture, everything and everything, amazing and that is why I want to join our team.

3. Can you tell us a little about your role and the skills required? My role involves managing the workshop day-to-day while also stepping in on urgent projects to help ensure everything leaves the workshop on time and to the highest standards. The job requires a strong eye for detail, forward thinking, and the ability to spot potential issues before they arise during the build process. Besides, I am a full experienced poishing makers in our factory, I need to make a polish some complicated solid surface items and I also need to teach the new workers how to polish items well.

4. What or who inspired you to get involved with design and/or craft? I’d say my inspiration came from myself - I’ve always been hands-on and enjoyed building things from a young age. There’s a real satisfaction in seeing something you’ve created come together perfectly and finished to a high standard. And when these items finished I am very pround of my skills.

5. When it comes to craftsmanship, what do you admire most about Onebest Furniture? I really admire the variety of materials we work with. Each one brings its own challenges and techniques, which keeps the job interesting and continually pushes you to expand your skill set.

6. In your opinion, what are the simplest steps we could take to reduce waste in manufacturing? The biggest improvements come from thorough checking at every stage - from programming through to fabrication. Clear communication and simple habits, like “measure twice, cut once,” can make a huge difference in reducing errors and minimising waste.

7. Which material are you most excited about working with and why? I particularly enjoy working with solid surface materials. Even if the initial programming isn’t perfect, it’s usually fixable, which helps reduce waste and gives you more flexibility during the build.