Bestcase: Custom & Quality

The goal for the Bestcase founders was to create a manufacturing system that makes quality, custom metal fixtures easier to specify, customize, and build in order to save time and money for clients.

“We started the company right before the pandemic, not the best time to launch an office furniture brand!” says Constantine. “Initially, the idea was to offer a product that was fully customizable, of commercial quality, and available at production prices. Recently we have expanded our line into three product categories: commercial, home, and high-end residential.”

The co-founders’ experience runs deep. Rollner graduated from Parson’s with a focus in Industrial Design and is a trained metal fabricator with decades of experience. He also owns Planterworx, an industry leader in landscape products, which he founded in 2006. Prior to both Planterworx and Bestcase, Rollner owned and operated RAM Metals, a firm specializing in Architectural Metal Fabrication.

Constantine studied sculpture in undergrad at Towson University prior to graduating from Pratt’s ID graduate program. His first job out of Pratt was working for Rollner at Planterworx. “I went on to found the experimental firm ‘The Principals’ and co-directed it until 2018. In 2019, Randy approached me with an idea and a partnership proposal, and we launched Bestcase in the fall of that year,” Constantine says.

The rest is history. And the result is a company with a unique take that differentiates Bestcase from other companies in the market. “First, we control production. This allows us to offer the ability to build to spec. It also gives us the flexibility to quickly change course without needing to retool or invest in new setups,” Constantine says. “Another advantage we have is that because everything we make is manufactured in New York, we are able to minimize supply chain issues and shorten our lead times.”

As for materials, the team uses primarily aluminum. Sustainability is a main factor. Aluminum is easily recyclable, and it’s typically made from 90 percent recycled material. Material is sourced from a variety of mills in the Tri-state area, and products are finished with a no-VOC powder coat.

“Our designs are informed by the use of traditional sheet metal details that serve as a focal point simply by changing scale,” Constantine says. As for the company ethos, he adds: “I have always been interested in manufacturing, specifically the tension created by technology: automation vs. handmade. We utilized technology to streamline our manufacturing. We believe that technology should buttress the skills of a builder rather than aim to replace them.”

As for what’s on tap, Bestcase is launching the Foundation collection this year at ICFF. The company also recently collaborated with Sight Unseen to launch its first furniture collection. The new collection features designs by Studio Anansi, Home Studios, and Thevoz-Choquet.