Patrick Industries has opened The Experience, a digital design studio in Elkhart, Indiana, aimed at accelerating product development and prototyping for the RV, Marine, Powersports, and Housing markets.
The studio allows customers to visualize products at full scale in real time, enhancing decision-making and reducing traditional design cycle costs.
The Experience operates within Patrick’s Design Center and Showroom, creating a collaborative environment where the company works directly with OEMs and other clients.
The studio is intended to streamline the transition from concept to production by enabling adjustments to materials, colors, finishes, floorplans, and lighting in real time.
“The Experience reflects our commitment to enhancing customer service, value, and our partnership through innovation and forward-thinking excellence,” Andy Nemeth, chief executive officer, said in a press release.
“This immersive and collaborative environment represents an exciting advancement in how we showcase Patrick’s products and capabilities, including new product development and our growing suite of full solutions, while strengthening our position as a differentiated partner,” Nemeth added.
Central to the studio is a 50-by-14-foot LED virtual reality screen, designed and installed by Patrick’s Progressive Group brand.
The display presents full-size RVs, boats, side-by-sides, and other products at 1:1 scale with high resolution and accurate color reproduction. Customers and designers can generate 360-degree walkthroughs, cutaways, and high-quality renders instantly, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
The studio also introduces Patrick’s Digital Twin process, which digitally scans physical materials and products to create precise three-dimensional virtual replicas. These digital models replicate the texture, finish, color, and dimensions of real-world products, enabling accurate simulation and evaluation before manufacturing.
“Patrick is proud to be an industry leader in offering this collaborative, digital-first space where creativity, speed, and precision converge to enhance the value we can deliver to our customers,” said Jeff Rodino, President. “We recognize that our industries are evolving beyond traditional design methods and we have set out to create a smarter, more efficient and cost-effective way to develop and design for today’s customer.”
Patrick Industries provides component solutions to OEMs and aftermarket clients in the RV, Marine, Powersports, and Housing markets.
Headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana, the company employs more than 10,000 people across the United States and operates over 85 brands focused on quality, service, and innovation.
Featured image by Patrick Industries