Trade services

PANEL DISCUSSION

The nights are drawing in, and people are spending more time at home again. But it needn’t be all gloom, says MEDITE SMARTPLY – as it means fresh demand to recreate spaces for the new season (and beyond) with some innovative panelling, seating and storage combinations …

www.mdfosb.com/en/products/meditemdf

Wood panelling has been creeping back into fashion over the latter half of this year and is now enjoying its moment, working to make spaces cosier in the autumn and winter – both in appearance and in effect.

“The great thing about panelling is that it allows a renovator to cover up uneven walls, plus cracks and gaps where drafts might have previously crept in, as well as providing a new room feature,” says MEDITE SMARTPLY. “ It also provides a great framework for storage and seating.”

A good example of this is the innovative concept from Lee’s Custom Woodwork (pictured). Lee used moisture-resistant MEDITE MR MDF panels to create a hallway feature that is also functional. As well as offering a place to take off and store coats, the mounted wall’s moisture-resistant qualities, thanks to MEDITE MR, coupled with a water-resistant paint finish, ensure that damp coats will not affect the appearance of the panels over time.

Maker Lee Thompson says: “For all my projects I prefer to use MEDITE MR MDF, as I find it gives me a superior, smooth finish, and is very easy to router. It’s much less likely to fluff up when applying a paint finish. It can be spray finished, and requires a lot less prep work than standard MDFs I’ve used in the past. Moisture-resistant materials are perfect for some of the items I make, as a lot of my work is for areas susceptible to moisture.”

Storage and panelling also go hand in hand, as not only does the latter provide an atttractive backing for shelving and cupboards, it can also lend itself to effortlessly creating opportunities for hiding essential (but often unsightly) electrical boxes and boilers. And, to truly reinvent a space, lighting can be incorporated into designs, too, as Lee’s custom woodwork TV unit (pictured) demonstrates. Another example is a classic creation made by Goldsmith Lane

Joinery (pictured). Featuring layered panels of MEDITE MDF, the designer has used the material alongside moulded skirting and trim to create this country-style, half-wall panel that also flows into an attractive seating area.

Goldsmith Lane Joinery’s Jack Hollings says: “I get through a lot of MEDITE material. Mostly, that means MR MDF of various thicknesses. The reasons for using MEDITE specifically are that the product is of a very consistent quality, so I always know what I’m going to be working with – how it will respond during the process. It is possible, with a little time and care, to achieve cut edges smooth enough to paint to a perfectly clean finish.

“When visiting my timber merchants, I’ll always express my preference for MEDITE. One local merchant recently ordered a stock of MEDITE MR MDF in response to my request.”

With a range that spans 10 different families of MDF products and many variants, MEDITE MDF offers over 400 possible specifications for any interior.

“MEDITE makes it real,” states MEDITE SMARTPLY. “Join the exclusive MEDITE MDF community and showcase your latest projects at www.meditemakesitreal.com.”

For more information on the products discussed in this article, visit MEDITE SMARTPLY’s website

MR MDF to create a functional feature Lee’s Custom Woodwork uses MEDITE This hallway mounted wall rack by

transforming the space unit incorporates lighting, Lee’s Custom Woodwork’s TV

SATRA supporting you

SATRA Technology has launched a new furniture and floor coverings membership package, specifically tailored to meet the needs of these industries.

Membership provides businesses with a range of benefits such as bespoke technical support and advice through our technical team, helping businesses to understand current legislation, influence new standards and develop product specifications.

Also included are testing discounts, 20% of the annual subscription value returned in the form of vouchers and access to SATRA’s new online Furniture & Floor Covering Hub, a go-to repository for the latest industry news, technical information on standards and regulatory requirements, as well as industry focussed features such as polls. Find out more about membership by visiting furnishings.satra.com

www.satra.com furniture@satra.com Tel: +44 (0)1536 410 000

VÄLINGE INNOVATION

www.threespine.com

Threespine Click Furniture Technology has expanded its partnerships with global production line machine manufacturers Homag, SCM and Biesse.

The expansion comes as demand for Threespine accelerates in response to rising freight costs, a shift to omnichannel retail and requests for sustainable solutions.

Threespine has added a new sourcing option by working closely

Face-framed cabinet Trademax TV unit employing Threespine technology

with SCM to deliver a high-volume Threespine production line at Malaysian manufacturer Matak – while a deeper partnership with Homag China means licensees in Asia gain access to nextlevel access to and support around the latest generation of automated inserters for Threespine click furniture technology.

Biesse also showcased its Threespine solutions in a recent webinar.

Threespine mitre joint

The centre of knowledge for the furniture industry

Find out how membership can benefit you

Established in 1972, Libra has become one of the UK’s leading designers and wholesale suppliers of beautifully hand-crafted furniture, lighting and decorative accessories for contract and retail environments.

We now have an opportunity to join our sales team as a Territory Manger (TM) for the South East of England.

The TM will be responsible for growing existing B2B accounts and driving new business. Working as part of a dynamic, fast-paced business the TM will be able to understand the customers’ requirements quickly and deliver relevant products and solutions. They will be a motivated, tenacious sales professional and brand ambassador with a proven track record in consistently beating revenue and KPI targets. They will have energy, ambition, drive and determination to succeed. They will be able to manage their territory in order to optimise revenue potential, seek out new opportunities and customers on an ongoing basis.

For full details please visit www.thelibracompany.com/careers

Please send covering letters and CVS to liann.foster@thelibracompany.co.uk