Zünd cutters

Mitchell Laminates brings new Zünd digital cutters from Starleaton.

Acoustic panels are an integral feature of any well-designed commercial interior, and with the demand for customisation growing almost daily, companies like Melbourne-based Mitchell Laminates are using their expertise and precision technologies to become an integral part of the creative process.

Mitchell Group, based in Dingley in Melbourne’s south, is a specialist wholesale distributor of laminates, acrylics, foam and polycarbonate, architectural products and acoustic panels, to the Australian market. Founded by Alex and Edna Mitchell more than 65 years ago, and later run by their son Peter Mitchell, the company is now in its third generation of Mitchell family ownership, with family members Graham Henderson, Brett Mitchell, Marcus Mitchell and Shane Mitchell all involved directly in the company today.

Shane Mitchell, CEO, explains that the company has always maintained an ‘absolute focus’ on highly personalised, responsive services, building high-quality relationships with both customers and suppliers. This has led to a loyal clientele and an unique range of products which includes laminates, acrylics, foam and polycarbonate, architectural products and acoustic panels from leading names including Perspex®, Laminex®, Formica® and Echo Panel®

The acoustic and pinnable panel market, in particular, seen significant growth in popularity over recent years, with these panel products increasingly used as an integral part of the visual design of spaces.

“The acoustic panel industry is really only a decade old in Australia,” Shane explained, “but it’s growing quickly and has become a really key feature, particularly for commercial construction and fit-out, and for spaces like schools, universities, health and aged care facilities where acoustic properties are so important to the functionality of the space, and the wellbeing of its occupants.

“We have always worked closely with our customers, including architects, interior designers and builders, to deliver solutions which meet their specific requirements. In this area, which is very much project-led, we were seeing a growing demand for customised solutions to suit individual applications – we were not just being asked to tailor products to fit a space, but to provide enhanced functional benefits and increasingly complex design elements.”

Mitchell invests in two Zünd digital cutters

Keen to cater for that demand, the company recently invested in two Zünd digital cutters from Starleaton. “We had been sending product out for cutting but basically it was too slow and too expensive,” Shane explained. “We had to find another solution.”

That solution, they determined, was to bring the process in house, and Brett Mitchell, the company’s Chief Information Officer, conducted in-depth research before recommending investment in a Zünd digital cutter from Starleaton.

The machine, a Zünd G3 XL-3200 model, was installed in 2019 and features a 2270 x 3200mm cutting table and 3.6kw router, and offers a range of different cutting and creasing tools including a Pneumatic oscillating cutting tool (POT) and VCUT Tool.

“These machines are designed to deliver not only high-precision knife cutting for our ‘cut to size’ service, but also routing, v-grooves and other decorative finishes that can add beauty and functionality to everything from woven materials like acoustic panels, to acrylic and Perspex.

“This versatility is enhanced by its modular design, which means we can configure it to suit our specific production needs and modify or upgrade it with additional modules in future to meet changing demands or extend our capability.”

The first machine really established what was possible, and the company was delighted with the ability to add value – and margin – to its products, while holding to its delivery commitments and maintaining a competitive cost for the client.

“Our clients generally have a very clear vision of what they want to achieve, and we work closely with them to translate that vision into reality, often becoming involved in the design process,” Shane explained, adding that the company now offers its own design service.

“As we continue to learn more about the capabilities of the Zünd cutting systems and push their capabilities to the limit, we find that we can advise on even better ways to achieve the impact or functional benefits they envisage.”

The success of the first machine, together with growing demand, led to the installation of a second, similar machine in late 2022, providing additional production capacity and important back-up to allow for regular service and maintenance and cater for any unforeseen stoppages.

Now, the two cutters run side-by-side, giving Mitchell’s important control over the production process and enabling them to become even more closely embedded in their client’s creative process.

“It’s about making well-considered investments…and then making them work for you,” Shane added. “With acoustic panels and other custom products forming an increasing part of our business, these sophisticated cutters have become an important tool in helping us push our product development and drive the growth of our own markets.

“The Zünd cutters are an integral part of our future business plans and, as we continue to further our own knowledge and skills, they will enable us to deliver even more impactful and functional solutions which exceed our clients expectations and add real value to their projects.” mitchellgroup.com.au starleaton.com.au/zund