Furniture & Joinery Production #322 by Gearing Media Group Ltd

December 2020 #322 News / Events / Insight / Updates 2020 Review : 2021 Preview Dust Extraction & Wood Waste Management Solid Wood Processing Surfacing & Decorative Panels

www.furnitureproduction.net

Multiple cascading fans ensure

energy efficiency and minimal downtime

“ The Airlock Filter with multiple

cascading fans enables a factory to use only the capacity they need”

Neil Parkes Founder of Extraction Solutions Dedicated UK Partner

Reliability is key when processing wood. Modesta’s smart air filters keep your factory clean, safe and healthy to ensure non-stop performance. With 70 years of experience in modular air filtering, we gladly help you maximise your productivity. Contact info@modestafilters.co.uk +44 113 8680 247 Main Office & Production Handelsweg 48 3881 LS Putten The Netherlands

modestafilters.com/esl

Comment

info@media66.net EDITOR John Legg Tel: 01424 834973 john@media66.net Twitter: @FurnitureProdEd ADVERTISING MANAGER Lisa Williams Tel: 01424 834829 lisa@media66.net PRODUCTION James Ash studio@media66.net DIGITAL CONTENT Nyall McCurrach digital@media66.net COPY ADMINISTRATION & DATA Steve Merrick Tel: 01424 776108 production@media66.net ACCOUNTS Wendy Williams Tel: 01424 774982 accounts@media66.net SUBSCRIPTIONS UK-£65, Europe-£85, RoW-£95 lisa@media66.net PROOF READER Paul Farley REPRO, PRINT and DISTRIBUTION Stephens & George

DISCLAIMER: All material submitted for inclusion in Furniture Production is done so entirely at the contributor’s own risk. No responsibility is accepted for the safe-keeping of contributors’ materials. Whilst all attempts are made to ensure accurate reproduction, Furniture Production accepts no responsibility for variations. Artwork undertaken by our studio remains the copyright of Media66 and may not be reproduced or stored without prior permission. Some articles in Furniture Production have been submitted by companies and organisations. Monies may have been accepted in some instances to offset production costs. All rights reserved. In respect of artwork originated free of charge as part of a booking, clients should know that excessive work (more than one set of corrections, known as ‘authors corrections’) is chargeable at £55 per hour. DATA PROTECTION “OPT OUT” STATEMENT: Readership data held by Media66 may be shared with any member of the Media66 and associated companies for the purposes of customer information, direct marketing or publication. Data may also be made available to external parties on a list rental/lease basis for the purposes of direct marketing. If you do not wish data to be made available to external parties for list rental or lease please write to: Data Protection Co-ordinator, Media 66 Ltd, 36 Stirling Road, Castleham Business Centre East, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex TN38 9NP. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Refunds on cancelled subscriptions will only be provided at the publisher’s discretion, unless specifically guaranteed within the terms of the offer

ISSN 2396-9024

MEDIA PARTNERS

What a year 2020 turned out to be. Just when we thought Brexit was the contentious issue of our time, along came the most intense situation the world has seen for generations to put things into sharp perspective. Our lives, businesses, lifestyles and relationships changed forever. Yet throughout the pandemic, UK furniture and joinery manufacturers have, in the main, steadfastly managed their businesses with a calm resolve, and the majority of suppliers we talk to on a regular basis have reported healthy – and even record – trading levels throughout this period. So, it naturally follows that many of the country’s more progressive furniture and joinery manufacturers will be faring well too, with many having taken the initiative during this time – possibly utilising the financial help on offer – to upgrade their technical capabilities to find productivity gains, which augurs well for the medium-term too. I’m not saying that our market is undergoing massive expansion, but I think, for manufacturers who are nimble and can react smartly to new opportunities, the market is thriving. Three clear and obvious factors have helped fuel demand for furniture and interiors in recent months: firstly, the requirement for many of us to adapt to working from home has required some sort of home office set-up; secondly, there has been a housing market bump thanks to the Stamp Duty holiday, with many moving home for a more rural or coastal lifestyle during the pandemic; and lastly, there has been a considerable reduction in family expenditure overall, with savings on travel, holidays, shopping and entertaining, which will have been diverted in a new kitchen, bedroom, sofa and so forth. This, of course, has to be balanced against many families having a reduced income during this time – but in general, the furniture and interiors sector has fared pretty well in the circumstances. And as always, the cream rises – with the application of efficient production techniques and a focus on quality and customer service, it is the most clearly defined, bestorganised businesses which are finding growth at this time. On the flipside, especially in times like these, there will undeniably be businesses which will have struggled, or 6 News even succumbed – few will emerge from the pandemic the same way they went in. The ‘new normal’ applies to us all, 18 Insight and for those who have suffered, or even lost loved ones, 28 Installations our thoughts are with you. To help understand the perspective of the market at this 34 Surfacing & Decorative Panels time, we asked top suppliers for their insight – and their responses feature in our year in review (which includes a 42 Solid Wood Processing look at what might be in store next year), starting on p65. Whatever your point of view, the Media 66 team behind 54 Dust Extraction & Wood Waste Management Furniture & Joinery Production would like to wish our readers, advertisers and colleagues best wishes for the 65 2020 Review : 2021 Preview holidays, in whatever form they may materialise for you. Please stay safe, and roll on 2021! 84 Products

Content

John Legg, editor john@media66.net

90 Updates

CABINET VISION puts you in control CABINET VISION makes it simple for furniture, woodworking, or casegood manufacturers of all sizes to play to their strengths, by using a single, fully modular software package to go from design to manufacture. With CABINET VISION you buy only the features you need. This allows you to evolve and grow your software usage in line with your business, making CABINET VISION highly scalable and cost-effective.

• Design and engineer all your jobs • Automatically price and bid • Generate shop reports • Create detailed shop drawings • Provide photo-realistic renderings • Generate machine ready G-code • Output to multiple CNC machine types

CABINET VISION provides you with the building blocks for a successful woodworking business. Find out which combination is right for you.

| Visit cabinetvision.com

6 NEWS

Ligna 2021 moves to the autumn – clashing with The W Exhibition Ligna has moved its May 2021 event to an autumn slot, from 27th September to 1st October 2021 – a timing which conflicts with the UK’s leading event for the furniture and joinery sector, The W Exhibition. Following discussions, and in view of the current Covid-19 situation, Ligna organisers Deutsche Messe and the German association VDMA have jointly decided to push the Ligna event forward by five months. “Due to the ongoing pandemic, increasing restrictions and the renewed lockdown, there is great uncertainty in the market. We take this very seriously,” emphasises Deutsche Messe managing board member, Dr Andreas Gruchow. “The decision to postpone Ligna was a very difficult one for us,” he explains, “but it is the only consistent measure to give all those involved planning security and the necessary lead time for preparations. To ensure that Ligna, the world’s leading trade show for the sector, can live up to this expectation, suppliers and visitors alike must be given sufficient planning security for participation – and this is significantly higher for September/October than for May 2021”. It will not have escaped the notice of many readers, but the timing of the rescheduled Ligna

Ironmongery Direct partnership Leading ironmongery specialist supplier Ironmongery Direct has partnered with Checkatrade, a leading UK website for finding tradespeople, offering exclusive benefits for both new and existing Checkatrade members and Ironmongery Direct customers.

CSIL new online mattresses market report A new CSIL research report into ecommerce in the mattress industry offering a detailed analysis of the online mattress market, with a particular focus on three world areas – the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific is now available.

January Furniture Show delayed Event organiser, Clarion Events has rescheduled the country largest furniture trade show to 25-28th April 2021.

New Joinery Network website As the growth of The Joinery Network continues, a new website has been launched to support UK joinery manufacturers looking to manufacture PAS 24:2016 Document Q-ready timber windows and doors. The new website has information on The Joinery Network’s range of fully tested, accredited timber windows and doors, Lignum, and is live at www. thejoinerynetwork.co.uk.

event is directly head-on with The W Exhibition, organised at the NEC in Birmingham during the exact same timeslot. With the W already 85% booked up, what will Ligna’s move mean for the UK’s key biannual event? F&JP spoke with organiser Montgomery for a response. Commenting on Ligna’s postponement, The W Exhibition MD Nickie West says: “We have been made aware, alongside the rest of the market, that Ligna has announced the postponement of its May showcase to a new dateline of 27th September to 1st October 2021. “Whilst The W Exhibition is very much a UK domestic show, meaning that we do not rely on international visitors, we will obviously explore the ways in which we can minimise any logistical challenges for our exhibitors. “We do not yet know how foreign travel will be affected in 2021 by any continued Covid-19 restrictions, and the consequences of this on Ligna remains to be seen. What we do know is that there is a huge appetite for a UK show. “This support has already been demonstrated across the industry, with The W Exhibition 2021 already 85% sold and an engaged visitor audience who are eager to reconnect with the market and see the latest products after

OBITUARY

Deutsche Messe’s Dr Andreas Gruchow

an extended period of restricted face-to-face contact,” explains Nickie. “We are in the process of conducting extensive discussions with the market and all of our stakeholders to help in any way possible to plan through any potential logistical challenges. “Our exhibitors’ return on investment, along with the protection of The W Exhibition brand, are of paramount importance to us. We, in partnership with all our stakeholders, shall, as always, endeavour to make the right decisions for a successful exhibition, both now and in the future.” F&JP understands that initial telephone discussions with key stakeholders have been coming back with positive responses. www.ligna.de

Kevin Lovell

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that the team at Weinig UK confirm the sudden and unexpected death of our colleague Kevin Lovell. Kevin died peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday 22nd October, aged 59. We, and many others, will miss him greatly. During a long career in the industry, Kevin established himself as a respected and trusted sales manager with a depth and

OBITUARY

breath of knowledge that enabled him to provide invaluable advice to many companies in the UK. His legacy will live on for many years. Kevin was a private individual who genuinely enjoyed his life as a bachelor. Golf was an important part of his life outside of work, and he often told us his handicap was in single figures – “well, nearly,” he would say, with a wry smile so characteristic of his dry sense of humour.

Kevin Wright

Leadermac UK MD Kevin Wright sadly passed away on 22nd October. Kevin was born in Walthamstow in London in 1964. He started work at Wadkin in London in the tooling room, moving to Wadkin Bolton in 1988 as a sales representative. In 1991, he went to work in Singapore for six months as a sales manager, and on returning went to work at Calder Wilkinson in Sowerby Bridge as a sales manager.

Eventually, Kevin became sales director for Calder Wilkinson, and then in 2001 he left and established Leadermac UK. Kevin will be missed by his wife Joanne and family, Tracey and the rest of the team at Leadermac UK. Fred, Kevin’s son, started working for Leadermac UK in 2019, and will continue to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Leadermac UK would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind thoughts.

8 NEWS

Gowercroft Joinery joins the Made in Britain campaign Multi award-winning timber window and door manufacturer Gowercroft Joinery is teaming up with Made in Britain to celebrate its success as a UK business delivering high-quality timber windows and doors to its customers. The Made in Britain campaign group was formed in 2011 with the aim of supporting British manufacturers, encouraging sustainable growth and helping consumers, buyers and specifiers identify genuinely UK-made products. “We’re delighted to be part of this growing community of British manufacturers, dedicated to high standards of quality and performance,” said Andrew Madge, MD of Gowercroft Joinery. Since it was formed in 1998, the company has gone from strength to strength, developing market-

and the pioneering new Frontier range, designed specifically for the future-build market. “As the UK window and door market has always been distinct to that of continental Europe, we believe it is all the more important that it is serviced locally, with product designs and detailing that reflect the unique heritage and architectural styles of the British Isles,” says Andrew. “Over the past decade, imports have taken a large share of the UK market, and this is threatening the authenticity and character of UK housing stock and the built environment. “We are proud of our 22 years of uninterrupted trading in Derbyshire. Made in Britain membership is a demonstration of our commitment to high-quality British design and to the local and national economy, as well as a way of celebrating our success as a home-grown

Mirka’s decade of tooling evolution

Mirka’s award-winning power tools division celebrated its 10th birthday in October. In the last decade, this team has been at the cutting edge of technology advancement, and has created the DEROS sanders, which it says are two of the most ergonomic and easy-to-use sanders on the market, and are amongst Mirka’s bestselling products. The division, founded after the success of the CEROS in 2009, highlighted to Mirka that a dedicated power tools division was required to help anticipate and fasttrack the development process of future products. Caj Nordström, product development manager, Mirka, says: “Developing new products and working with new technology has

always been my passion. Mirka is well known for manufacturing abrasives, but abrasives are only a part of the complete picture when it comes to sanding. They are best matched with tools that have been designed for them to give the best possible result, and as our engineers are not just theoretical people, we like to use the products ourselves.” The power tools division has won many awards for its products over the past decade. Caj says: “Winning our first award told us we had gotten the design right. But the most important feedback, of course, comes from end users, who work with our power tools every day. The tool must be perfect for the user.” www.mirka.com

TM Machinery – Covid-19 update

As with many innovative furniture and joinery manufacturers across the UK, Gowercroft regularly upgrades its capability as it responds to new market opportunities, and is proud to join the Made In Britain campaign

leading ranges of timber windows and doors, which combine state-of-the-art technology and high-performance materials with a traditional style of joinery and craftsmanship that is “perfectly suited” to UK homes and architecture. The success of the company’s core range of Classic windows and doors has been followed by the launch of its award-winning Heritage range, developed for the UK building conservation sector,

company.” In recent years, the company has been recognised in several industry awards, including the Best Windows category of the 2017 Build It Awards and the prestigious 2019 British Woodworking Federation’s (BWF) Woodworking Project of the Year award, for its part in the restoration of Templeton House, Sir Winston Churchill’s former home in Roehampton. 01773 300510 www.gowercroft.co.uk

Following the recent announcement from the UK Government and the World Health Organisation on Covid-19, TM Machinery thought it was important to update the industry on the actions it is taking to support its colleagues and customers over the next four weeks. With strict health and safety procedures in place, it is “business as usual” at TM Machinery Sales and TM Services, whose machinery sales and serving division will remain open, and whose engineers will continue to install and service machinery in line with the latest Government guidelines, says the supplier. This includes asking customers to respect social distancing measures when its engineers are

on-site, wearing face coverings, adhering to all hygiene advice and taking advantage of the company’s remote customer support offering wherever possible. “We are dedicated to doing our part to help tackle this pandemic and, going forward, we will continue to adapt our procedures wherever necessary to keep our colleagues, customers and suppliers safe, whilst continuing to offer our customers the high level of customer service they expect,” says a spokesperson. “We would like to thank you for demonstrating extra care and consideration at this time, and we will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation closely and keep our customers up to date with any ongoing changes to our business.” sales@tmservices.co.uk

WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR YOU

ALL ROUND SUPPORT TECHNICAL TRAINING SERVICE& MAINTENANCE SPARE PARTS discover more

RELIABLE, FAST AND FLEXIBLE Today there is one more reason to choose SCM products. Our team is able to provide highly specialised services with the levels of quality and reliability borne out of over 65 years of experience in the sector.

SCM UK Tel. +44 (0)115 9770044 scmuk@scmgroup.com - scmwood.com

is more

10 NEWS

The Joinery Network’s new website goes live

Novel Vorasurf Silicone Surfactants combine performance and sustainability for bedding and furniture foam Flexible polyurethane foam formulators now have access to a set of higher-performing surfactant options for mattresses and other upholstered furniture, with an improved sustainability profile. Dow, one of the world’s leading materials science companies, has introduced the next generation of low-cyclics, low-volatile silicone Vorasurf Surfactants. “Flexible polyurethane foam formulators around the world are facing growing demands from brand owners and consumers for improved physical performance and ergonomics, as well as enhanced health and sustainability profiles for their foams,” says Justin Weare, North America marketing manager for polyurethane additives at Dow. “This new series of novel Vorasurf Surfactants is a testament to Dow’s commitment to bringing high-quality, profitable polyurethane surfactant technology to the foam industry that addresses both the latest market trends and technical requirements.” Vorasurf Polyurethane Surfactants empower formulators with an enhanced level of control over the physical properties of their foam, helping them meet the latest

specifications on volatile content and emissions required by leading brand owners – such as IOSMAT-0010. These new-generation additives also allow formulators to easily comply with demanding regulatory and sustainability requirements around the world, helping ensure safe and compliant furniture products. The new Vorasurf Surfactant series includes: Vorasurf DC 5951LV Additive, an innovation primarily aimed at EO-rich, polyol-based MDI/TDI systems and low- to medium-density conventional foams, including those based on auxiliary blowing agents; Vorasurf FF 5959 Additive, a new-generation surfactant offering finer control over cell size and foam recovery properties in flexible foam applications; and Vorasurf DC 5906LV, Vorasurf DC 5950LV, Vorasurf DC 198LV Additives – all low-cyclics, low-volatile grades of globally recognised industry standards for bedding and furniture, including medium-high density conventional foams, MDI viscoelastic foams, and applications requiring excellent flame retardancy. www.dow.com/vorasurf

As the growth of The Joinery Network continues, a new website has been launched to support UK joinery manufacturers looking to manufacture PAS 24:2016 Document Q-ready timber windows and doors. The new website has information on The Joinery Network’s range of fully tested, accredited timber windows and doors, Lignum, and is live at thejoinerynetwork.co.uk. Owen Dare of O T Dare Joinery Consultants, one of the founder directors of The Joinery Network, says: “We launched the new website to make it easy for joinery manufacturers to see the range of tested timber windows and doors available, exclusively, for them. “There is also lots of information on which tests our product range has passed. With this information, joinery manufacturers can choose the products they need, get licences for each product against each test result, and cascade the data to use as their own. This transparency means that both big and small joiners – offering a full or selective range – can fully comply with regulations without worrying about falling foul of the law.” The new website comes after the launch of the exclusive Lignum range from The Joinery Network. Lignum is the first complete UK timber window and door system with full PAS 24:2016, Document

Q, BS 6375: 1. Document L1B, and Document M certification, available to joinery manufacturers. Owen continues: “Lignum is the exciting new window system for the timber window and door industry. Fully accredited and designed for UK homes, Lignum is perfect for joiners as a low-cost entry system through The Joinery Network licences. “They also don’t have the expense of spending upwards of £60,000 on testing products themselves, as The Joinery Network has already made that investment. It’s an easy way for joiners to show that their products comply with Building Regulations, and win more sales.” “We’ve carefully selected our founder partners and affiliates to offer expertise through every step of the supply chain. Many of them offer exclusive benefits to The Joinery Network licence holders, which we’ve featured on www. thejoinerynetwork.co.uk,” adds Owen. Joiners can find out more at www.thejoinerynetwork.co.uk

Business as usual for Weinig UK Following the latest announcement from the UK Government on Covid-19, Weinig UK is remaining open during the next phase of restrictions. Continuing to adhere to its coherent in-house Covid-19 policy and the ongoing guidelines set out by the Government, Weinig UK’s sales, service and aftercare teams will continue to operate normally during the next four weeks. Engineers will also continue to install and maintain machinery, with site visits being assessed individually and machinery demonstrations taking place by appointment only. Remote support continues to be offered to customers, with a technical hotline and online support

services readily available, and a newly launched webshop for quick and easy ordering of spare parts around the clock. Malcolm Cuthbertson, MD of Michael Weinig (UK), says: “Weinig UK remains committed to ensuring the ongoing health and safety of our staff, customers and suppliers. By introducing a strict Covid-19 policy and continuing to assess and adapt our procedures wherever necessary, we are doing our utmost to stop the spread of the virus, whilst continuing to offer ongoing support and vital services to our customers. We thank everyone for adhering to these measures and for demonstrating extra care and consideration at this time.” www.weinig.co.uk

SERVICE, DIVERSITY AND SPEED

SO MUCH MORE THAN EDGINGS Apart from Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest range of edgings, we supply a continuously growing range of products for the carpentry and furniture industry. From fittings and handles to lighting solutions, fastening systems and innovative designer surfaces: as the experts in edging, we always have the answer for your project.

www.ostermann.eu

12 NEWS

Make UK calls on manufacturing to help kickstart young careers Businesses who think they cannot take advantage of the government’s new £2 billion Kickstart training scheme can still take part through a gateway body, says Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation. The Government Kickstart Scheme will provide funding to employers to create job placements for 16-24 year olds. The scheme will create new six-month placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. A business can only sign up to the Kickstart scheme if they have a minimum of 30 job placements to offer - however approved gateway organisations, such as Make UK, can apply on the behalf of a business if they require less than 30 placements. Stephen Mitchell, (below) director of apprentices and technical training at Make UK’s Technology Hub in Aston, Birmingham, said: “We know manufacturing, and understand that right now it may be difficult for employers to take on an apprentice. But these fullyfunded work placements provide manufacturing extra support that they may currently need and a young person a chance to develop skills and experience they need to find work after completing the scheme. “Working with a gateway organisation such as Make UK has multiple benefits - you don’t need

to have 30 placements, and we can make the process a lot easier and do much of the groundwork, including supporting you through the selection process, providing training and working with the young person to help them into a job or apprenticeship after the placement. We understand the requirements of manufacturing and how to get the best out of a young person.” The government will fully fund each ‘Kickstart’ job, paying 100% of the age-relevant National Minimum Wage, National Insurance and pension contributions for 25 hours a week. Once a job placement is created, it can be taken up by a second person once the first successful applicant has completed their six-month term. For more information on the Kickstart program, call Make UK on 0121 344 7903 or email kickstart@makeuk.org

In February this year, Cleaf and Egger presented together at Euroshop in Düsseldorf

Enhanced co-operation – Egger to acquire minority stake in Cleaf Cleaf and Egger, two manufacturers globally active in the sector of surface materials for furniture and interior design, enhanced their co-operation, with the signing of an acquisition agreement in September (expected to close this month), in which the Austrian Egger Group will acquire a 27.5% stake in the Italian Cleaf. Cleaf and Egger entered into a partnership about a year ago as an expression of a common vision and mutual respect between the two family businesses. As previously announced, the sales partnership will now be followed by the next step – Egger will acquire a minority stake of 27.5% in Cleaf. The parties agreed not to disclose the value of the transaction. “We have always pursued the vision of broader co-operation. Our co-operation in sales has shown

Emuca expands logistics centre at its headquarters Emuca is promoting its growth by increasing the size of its logistics centre at its central headquarters in Valencia, by acquiring a new 7000m2 warehouse adjacent to it. With this new facility, Emuca will increase its size to 32,000m2, with a total capacity of more than 35,000 pallets, combined with the logistics centre in Padua (Italy). Emuca has made this investment in order to continue providing the best service to all its customers and to continue adding capacity to its logistics operations. This investment will enable Emuca to cover the increase in orders and customers in its key markets Italy,

France, the UK, Poland, Portugal, the Benelux and Spain. Emuca firmly believes in the development of its digital transformation process, having achieved two important milestones – 70% of its customers’ orders are received through its B2B platform, and, reinforcing the internationalisation of the brand through its digital channels, its YouTube channel has reached two million views. Emuca is aware that the current and future challenges would not be possible to confront without a multidisciplinary, professional and involved team like the one it boasts.

that together we can offer our customers the best of two worlds,” comment both companies. The majority shareholding in Cleaf will continue to be held by the Caspani family. Egger emphasises that it does not intend to acquire a majority stake in Cleaf in the future. Successful sales partnership About a year ago, the two companies announced the ‘Cleaf presented by Egger’ collection for six European markets. Since its launch together with the Egger Decorative Collection in February 2020, customers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have shown great interest in this range. The two companies also presented themselves at the Euroshop in February in Düsseldorf, on directly connected exhibition stands.

IMPROVE YOUR SHOP WITH THIS DEAL! SHAPER ORIGIN + WORKSTATION ELEVATE YOUR WORK WITH UNPARALLELED ACCURACY, FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY. Order now and receive: - Shaper Systainer-1*, loaded with a cuttable solid foam insert to keep all your small tools and accessories at the ready - Free Shipping & 30-day risk-free policy

*Tools and accessories shown in the foam are not included; shown to illustrate customisation options only.

PIONEERS OF DUST FREE SANDING

Celebrating 20 years of Abranet® dust free sanding Think outside the box. Keep dust inside the box. That’s the core idea of Mirka Abranet®, which saw the light of day 20 years ago.

For further information or to arrange a demonstration, please contact Customer Services on 01908 866100

www.mirka.co.uk

16 NEWS

Hypnos achieves ISO standard for quality management Royal warrant holder and award-winning British bedmaker, Hypnos, has announced that its Castle Donington site has achieved compliance with ISO 9001, the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective Quality Management System (QMS). This ISO 9001 accreditation is further proof of the company’s commitment to top-class design and craftsmanship, and to ensuring its operations are run with high-quality systems and assurance in place. The standard means that the company’s Castle Donington site delivers to a consistently high-quality level and standard, and continually measures and improves every aspect of its operations. Darren Machin, quality and facilities manager at Hypnos, says: “Delivering the most comfortable beds, made in an environmentally and socially responsible way, has been at the heart of what we do for over a decade. “By gaining ISO 9001 accreditation and assurance, we can prove to our customers that we always strive for our products and service to meet the highest expectations and consistency in our sustainable designs and production. So, whether it’s pushing the

boundaries of bedmaking to achieve the best possible design, considering the environmental impact of everything we do, or caring about the people we work with, our customers can have the utmost confidence that they will truly have a comfortable bed made with the utmost integrity when they purchase from us. “Our dedication to crafting quality mattresses

and beds has been at the heart of our business for over 100 years and it’s this ongoing commitment that has seen us collaborate with suppliers to source more traceable and certified materials in our products. “Qualifications such as this really do play such an important role in the development of a business, helping to drive training and learning, and reinforcing rigorous inspection standards by the quality team. It very much aligns with the dedication, care and authentic craft of bedmaking that our entire workforce has, so we’re very proud to have achieved it. To gain the accreditation, which reinforces the trust Hypnos has earned from supplying homes, hotels and palaces around the world, the company had to assess every area of its hospitality business and manufacturing processes at the Castle Donington site, and develop formal procedures to continuously improve its operations and ensure excellence at every level. As a result of this ongoing attention to detail and quality, Hypnos is able to assure consistency across its sustainable designs and its methods of production. www.hypnoscontractbeds.com

January Furniture Show postponed until April 2021 Due to restrictions across the UK and the re-imposition of lockdown in England through to December has led January Furniture Show organiser, Clarion Events, to reschedule the event to 25-28th April 2021. Cleere Scamell, event director, says:, “The furniture show at the NEC is the most powerful UK trade event of its kind. Over the past months we have been working towards January, determined to deliver the strong show the sector needs. The large footprint of the show, combined with a very targeted professional audience, means that we remain

confident in being able to fully implement the Government’s All Secure Standards guidance for event safety. “However, recent developments, combined with the necessarily long lead times exhibitors need to prepare and present their products, mean that it is important for us to be realistic, and put safety first at this stage. Additionally, after a turbulent year globally there are significant supply-side issues in parts of the furniture sector, and this move will allow more time for material supplies to normalise.” Cleere continues: “Over the past few weeks

we have been surveying furniture and interiors buyers across the sector, and I am pleased to share that we have had a very strong and positive response from regular visitors, who are in favour of moving to April. 84% of buyers say they will certainly attend, and a further 13% plan to attend when they have more details about the practical Covid measures in place. “We are also in the process of connecting with exhibitors, visitors and other industry stakeholders, and this will continue over the course of the next few weeks as we finalise plans for Furniture Show Birmingham in April.”

FIRA International launches new portal to simplify testing UKAS-accredited testing house, FIRA International, has launched E-TIC HUB, a new portal designed to give customers more control over their testing. The E-TIC HUB allows customers to: request quotes for all types of furniture testing with FIRA International; accept quotes and arrange for samples to be booked in; follow the progress of specific tests, with full visibility of where the sample is in the testing process, with 24/7 access to check progress and alerts as each testing stage begins/ends; access and direct download of test reports; and instant messaging with the experts at FIRA International. Furthermore E-TIC HUB is GDPR compliant,

and Quality System Compliant with BS EN ISO/ IEC 17025:2017, in line with UKAS requirements. Howard James, testing and technical manager at FIRA International, says: “E-TIC HUB forms part of our overall strategy of improving our operational excellence, and developing a bespoke hub was an improvement a number of our clients had requested to enable them to gain more control over their testing, and to simplify how they work with our testing experts. “I’d like to thank our clients who supported us as we developed E-TIC HUB – their feedback was invaluable in shaping the hub to ensure it delivers what the industry needs regarding testing, which can be complex at times due the

standards and regulations which govern the furniture market. “This is just the first-phase launch for the hub – we’re already working hard behind the scenes on the next release, which will include a full reporting suite with details on test times and results analysis, the opportunity to schedule tests direct to machines in advance and invoicing functionality via the hub.” To request a login, FIRA International customers should contact info@fira.co.uk. The hub can be accessed via https://portal.fira.co.uk. FIRA also confirmed that it would be running MS Teams sessions to support users new to the hub, with details on request via info@fira.co.uk.

Insight

Eugen Hornberger (left) and Gerhard Schuler (right) founded Hornberger Maschinenbau oHG in 1960

Homag celebrates 60 years of woodworking excellence Founded in 1960 as Hornberger Maschinenbau oHG by Eugen Hornberger and Gerhard Schuler, Homag has always been a pioneer in developing innovative woodworking technology. Over the years, it has established an impressive history of world firsts, including the edgebander in 1962, the first panel dividing saw (1970) and the first CNC machine (1974) – all clear proof that Homag has always been at the forefront of the industry.

Launched as a two-man start-up business based in the Black Forest, Homag began to grow significantly when the main brands were integrated into the business – these included Brandt (1976), Weeke (1986) and Holzma (1987). The incorporation of these brands saw the rapid development of each of Homag’s core competencies. Engineering innovation and excellence became the driving forces behind establishing Homag as the multi-million-pound company it is today. Now, 60 years later, the Homag Group is one of the world’s leading providers of integrated solutions for woodworking production. As

a global player, Homag operates several international production plants, as well as sales and service teams. With around 6600 employees, the company is proud of its presence in more than 100 countries and its worldwide market share of over 30%. Innovative solutions for woodworking manufacturers Throughout years of innovation, Homag has always offered manufacturers and joiners complete production solutions. These enable companies to automate processes from start to finish. Whether it is an entry-level-sized business

INSIGHT 19

or an industrial manufacturer, Homag is the onestop shop for all. Homag’s range of machine, software and service solutions gives manufacturers the ability to remain at the forefront of their markets and keep ahead of the competition. Building strong customer relationships Homag prides itself on the relationships it builds with customers, and continuously strives to provide the very best long-term customer service and support. This has led to it forming solid partnerships, with repeat business over many years. Martin Rees, executive chairman, Venesta Washrooms Systems, says: “We have had a continuous relationship with Homag UK for 25 years and have purchased over 40 different machinery and software products from them during this time. “Initially, we looked at other machinery manufacturers, but we found Homag to be far superior. We’ve always maintained a close relationship with them, and on the odd occasion we have a breakdown or need spare parts, they

deal with it instantly. We’ve always felt that Homag’s responsiveness, quality and attitude have stood them head-and-shoulders above anyone else in the market.” Paul Glynn, Topform, comments: “Our first machine from Homag was in 1976. The quality was brilliant then, and has remained so throughout the years. We have made so much money from these machines because they are so reliable. In the long run, they are by far the cheapest machines on the market.” Simon Wadsworth, of David Smith St Ives, says: “We at David Smith St Ives Ltd appreciate the honesty, advice and attention to detail provided by Homag when specifying equipment. “Since taking the plunge with our first machine, we have been impressed with the professionalism of the backup and ongoing service received. We have since invested in two further pieces of equipment, and see this as a successful partnership for the future. Congratulations to Homag on their first 60 years – long may they continue.” Gary Cleghorn, Alexander Cleghorn, comments: “As a supplier of furniture component panels

The B-72-ll – an edgebander from the 70s

The BP 15 – a CNC processing centre from the mid-90s

to many different sectors, our equipment and software needs tend to be highly complex. For this, we have always turned to Homag, whom we trust to offer a high-quality and imaginative solution for our current and future needs. “The solutions that we require are not always easy, and sometimes don’t even exist – that is, until we engage with the team at Homag. Over the years, the Homag team has helped deliver several interesting, challenging and unique projects. Congratulations to the whole Homag team on your 60th anniversary.” Sam Buckley, Willerby, says: “Our relationship with Homag over the years has developed from strength to strength. The professionalism, service and skill level is world-class, and ensures that our reliability centred focus is maintained. Homag’s technological developments guarantee an efficiency improvement with every investment. Homag is certainly a brand we can trust to deliver our production objectives.” Jim Bebbington, of Roundel Manufacturing (RML), says: “All at Roundel Manufacturing Ltd would like to congratulate all at Homag in the incredible achievement of 60 years of trading, and we are proud to say we have been part of that journey for 35 of those great years. A truly magnificent business, your founders Gerhard Schuler and Eugen Hornberger would be so proud of the milestone you are about to celebrate, and the journey that continues to

“A truly magnificent business, your founders Gerhard Schuler and Eugen Hornberger would be so proud of the milestone you are about to celebrate, and the journey that continues to further develop what they created”

››

20 INSIGHT

Ltd, congratulations on your 60th anniversary!” Ben Fisher, HMP Dartmoor, comments: “Having successfully taken delivery of our new Mouldteq M-300 (the first one in the UK, by all accounts), I wanted to express my thanks to you and the Homag team for doing such a sterling job. “I’m a big believer in offering thanks and appreciation for a job well done, so I’ll look forward to further dealings with the Homag team as we proceed with getting the new machine installed/commissioned.” Adrian Stoneham, Stoneham PLC, says: “Stoneham PLC, a 155-year-old kitchen furniture company, based in Kent, has specified Homag machinery for well over 50 years in its factories. “As a preferred and outstanding supplier – Stoneham has equipped its production facilities with Homag edgebanders, three- and five-axis CNC equipment, beam saws, sanders and more, with great success. “Well trained and attentive sales and service technicians have been constantly dependable, as well as excellent spares support. Congratulations on 60 years.”

The Holzma Model 110 Standard EL – built from 1970-1989

further develop what they created. “It is clear to us that teamwork and an encouraging workplace environment have contributed to the success of your business over many years and will continue to do so. In short, at RML we trust Homag to do what they say they will, when they say they will – it’s that simple.” Lee Clarke, BA Clic Components, comments: “Homag UK has the best spare parts team in the industry. The response and attention to detail are outstanding.” Graham Hatton, Magnet, notes: “I have worked with Homag UK now for many years. I have always found the company to be reliable and efficient, with friendly service – especially regarding spares – and look forward to many more years’ service with Homag.” Ciaran O’Hagan, Specialist Joinery Group,

comments: “Specialist Joinery Group would like to congratulate Homag for the milestone achievement of 60 years in business. At Specialist Joinery, we have purchased all of our large CNC machinery from Homag over the years and have enjoyed excellent service and products. We look forward to working with you for many more years.” Garry and Anthony Atkins, joint MDs at Duncan Reeds, say: “Duncan Reeds Ltd has been a loyal customer of Homag UK since our founding in 1989. Homag’s trusted support, good communication and, most importantly, highquality machinery, has been invaluable in aiding our growth and success. “It is because of this relationship that whenever we want a new machine, we inevitably go with Homag. So, from all of us here at Duncan Reeds

Homag rebranded the product range in 2018 and presented a new modern look

Production benefits available to all workshops Homag’s wide range of machinery and intelligent manufacturing solutions bring significant production benefits to all manufacturers, irrelevant of size. The Homag product and service offering has been designed to increase production efficiencies, reduce downtime and extend machinery lifetime. This is essential for all companies – whether they are mass producers or batch-size-one manufacturers. Homag can assist manufacturers with all aspects of their business, to future-proof production processes. To find out more about Homag’s product range and digital solutions, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424. www.homag.com

22 UPDATES

FIRA International broadens technical expertise FIRA International, the UKASaccredited testing house, has appointed John Hubbard as its new technical consultant. John joins from Satra Technology Centre, where he has spent the last 24 years, most recently as its technical manager. He is an expert on the issues surrounding harmful substances in the wide range of materials used in modern consumer goods, and is experienced in the implementation of the Biocidal Products Regulation. John is also the chair of the BSI UK Mirror Committee on Emission of Dangerous Substances from Construction Products B/557, and is the UK lead delegate to the European committee dealing with that issue (CEN TC351). With particular expertise on the working group dealing with

measuring content of harmful substance, he also provides a liaison between CEN TC351 and the new committee looking at harmful substances across a range of products where no specific committee has jurisdiction (CEN TC462). Previously, he chaired the European Group of Notified Bodies Horizontal group on emission of dangerous substances from Construction Products (GNB-CPR SH01). In addition, he has participated in UK committees on Physical and Chemical Testing of Textiles and Emissions to indoor air, is vice president of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists, and is an ISO 9001:2015 quality management system accredited auditor. John says: “I am excited to

be joining FIRA International at a pivotal time for the industry. We’re already seeing the effect of the Transition Period in relation to the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation (and restriction) of Chemicals (REACH) regulations. The furniture sector is going to need support in interpreting the changes and, more crucially, keeping compliant. “We’re also likely to see more movement from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in relation to formaldehyde in furniture products. This could have a huge effect on the industry, and in my new role I look forward to making a difference as to how organisations navigate these changes.” Levent Caglar, head of consultancy, and senior ergonomist at FIRA International, adds: “It’s

great to welcome John to the FIRA International family. For the past few months we’ve been keeping a weather-eye on issues facing the industry, and there is no doubt that chemicals are going to impact us more and more. With this in mind, in conjunction with an increase in organisations reaching out to us for support, the time was right to bolster our expertise in this area, and John is excellently placed to bring his unrivalled knowledge to the sector.” Contact John info@fira.co.uk or on 01438 777700.

BCF urges UK and EU to agree Free Trade Agreement Reacting to the resumption of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) has called on the UK and EU to reconcile their remaining differences and negotiate an FTA as soon as possible. It says failure to do so would have a significant detrimental impact on the coatings sector across Europe, and especially on UK manufacturers. An FTA is needed to avoid tariffs being placed on future trade – something the BCF calculates would cost the coatings industry in

the EU some £75m a year in finished goods alone in added import and export costs. UK companies would also be hit with tariffs on raw materials imported from the EU, putting up costs by between +0%-6%, adding yet more millions to the cost of trade in the future. With time running out until the end of the Brexit Transition period, Tom Bowtell, CEO of BCF, says: “The UK coatings sector trades heavily with the EU. If tariff-free trade is not agreed as part of an FTA then the coatings industry across Europe will see added costs of

£75m in finished products alone. “The added tariff costs to raw materials are also likely to run into the tens of millions of pounds, and that will hit UK businesses harder than those on the continent. “The clock is ticking. We need both the EU and UK to resume FTA talks as a matter of urgency and work to make the necessary compromises to get a deal done. And we need that deal to be agreed as soon as possible to give businesses the time they need to prepare for the final outcome.”

Ironmongery Direct partners with Checkatrade Leading ironmongery specialist supplier Ironmongery Direct has partnered with Checkatrade, a leading UK website for finding tradespeople, offering exclusive benefits for both new and existing Checkatrade members and Ironmongery Direct customers. The partnership entitles all Ironmongery Direct customers to receive three months’ free membership with Checkatrade – a platform that can help tradespeople build their business and reputation, with the added benefit that they will also receive a 10% discount on all orders with Ironmongery Direct. The discount will also be available to existing Checkatrade members. Marco Verdonkschot, MD

at Ironmongery Direct, says: “Checkatrade is the UK’s numberone website for finding a tradesperson. We are delighted to partner with them and offer our customers a discounted rate on membership. This will open up the

opportunity for their business to be found in over two million monthly visits from individuals looking for trustworthy tradespeople. “In addition, new and existing Checkatrade members will be able to save 10% on purchases across

our range of over 18,000 highquality products. This includes our seven exclusive brands that cover a range of commercial, domestic and specialist projects, all under one roof.” Alex Cubitt, chief growth officer at Checkatrade, adds: “We’re pleased to provide our members with this benefit from Ironmongery Direct, which has joined our suite of exclusive partnerships and discounts. We’re sure this will be welcomed by our 48,000 trade members.” For more information or to sign up, please call 02394 317516 or visit https://join.checkatrade. com/idl.

24 INSIGHT

New opportunities Working from home – from the kitchen table, the sofa or spare bedroom – could offer the chance of a new niche for furniture and joinery manufacturers.

According to a report by academics at Cardiff and Southampton universities, 90% of workers who have worked from home during lockdown would like to continue to do so in some form. In the Understanding Society Covid-19 Study, more than 40% felt they had been more productive at home. From an employer’s perspective, having more productive staff away from the office could see considerable cost savings. And, for furniture manufacturers, that could herald the opening of a new market. For any manufacturer already juggling supply chain, production and staffing issues,

developing a new product range may seem like a tall order, but Gareth Atkin, founder of Hull-based furniture agency, Preston Furniture Solutions, believes that now is the ideal time to keep up with social change and anticipate future demand. For those furniture manufacturers and designers keen to try a new market, Preston Furniture Solutions’ portfolio of innovative components could well provide the inspiration they have been looking for. “For the furniture industry, demand for multifunctional living spaces and flexible kitchen, dining and living room furniture has

Atim’s drop-leaf desk range sees a cupboard door used as a foldaway desk

never been in such high demand,” he explains. “What started off as a design trend has been catapulted to the top of the agenda by a global pandemic that could never have been predicted. However, it’s certain that the rise in numbers of people working from home will increase the demand for manufacturers to produce furniture that can adapt to our changing needs. “This opens the door to furniture manufacturers to increase sales by introducing ranges that reflect our new normal,” says Gareth. “Our homes will have to work harder for us, and furniture will need to be fully adaptable in order to work around our new way of living.

The Oplà Folding +39 pull-out top is designed to align with the counter top

The Atim Evolution +39 and Evolution +39 XL extractable tables have a pull-out extension of 1025 and 690mm, and have been developed to allow for the use of the entire composition of the cabinet

“We need cabinets that turn into conference tables, drawers that reveal hot desks, doors that slide to divide and unite living spaces. And, even when square footage may be at a premium, the creative use of space can make the most of every inch available, and it’s here that growth potential exists. What designers need right now are the mechanisms for change. And that is simply, the best hardware solutions from the best manufacturers.” Gareth adds: “Problems plus designers, equal solutions – solutions and collaboration equal innovation. It’s these simple formulas that create the breeding ground for design ingenuity. This isn’t designing for trends. Today’s furniture manufacturers are designing with real purpose, to revolutionise the experience of every customer by significantly improving the way in which we use our homes. “For kitchen and furniture manufacturers, now is the time to engineer a new future and to seek out the expertise in components that will create designs that meet the needs of a new period in society. Let’s call these the mechanisms for change. We can’t be certain of the future, but the power to transform the way in which we live is the key component of a new future.” www.prestonfurnituresolutions.co.uk

Atim’s Homework fold-out table requires no floor support, making it the ideal hide-away desk

26 INSIGHT

Henkel – Kenyon’s the right partnership Henkel is the one of the world’s premier adhesives producers. Founded in 1876, Henkel has more than 140 years of success. In 2019, it delivered sales of more than €20b, currently employs more than 52,000 people globally, and has 185 manufacturing facilities and 23 research and development sites worldwide. Kenyon’s started this adhesive journey as a distributor for National Starch & Chemicals’ range of woodworking adhesives, going from strength to strength to become the UK’s top distributor for National Starch & Chemicals’ woodworking adhesives. 2008 saw the acquisition of National by Henkel, and the Kenyon Group was welcomed aboard and soon grew to Henkel Premium Partner status for furniture and building component adhesives. These markets are supplied under the industry-leading brand names Technomelt and Aquence, which are recognised for quality and proven performance. Mike Bridges, Henkel UK and Ireland sales manager, says: “The Henkel/Kenyon partnership delivers the complete package – quality products, excellent service, technical support and product training. Kenyon’s have grown into the UK’s number-one supply route for these markets, and we are proud to work with a company who delivers on their word.” Henkel’s technical centre, based in Bopfingen, Germany, offers access to a full range

of woodworking application equipment, from edgebanding to 3D thermoforming pressing, and helps customers find answers to gluing problems under the careful eye of application specialist, Walter Heldt. With this support at its disposal, Kenyon’s can respond to market challenges with confidence, and deliver the best Henkel product for the application. Meet Kenyon’s technical team Kenyon’s has been supplying adhesives since 1979, covering all aspects of manufacturing and assembly predominantly in the furniture manufacturing and related markets. Kenyon’s expertise and knowledge has been gained over the years by offering a comprehensive range of market-leading adhesives technologies, UK stockholding across three warehouses, and delivery when the customer needs it. As Kenyon’s likes to say: “If you have an adhesion problem, don’t come unstuck – talk to the glue experts.” James Hamilton says: ”This partnership means a lot to James Hamilton – 20 years in adhesive technologies and applications (07807 107309)

Chris Brown – 15 years’ background in manufacturing and adhesives (07494 895482)

Darren Ogden – 10 years’ technical adhesive sales to assembly markets (07989 337891)

Kenyon’s. Being a Premium Partner is an honour which reflects our commitment to providing quality products for woodworking, furniture, caravan, insulation, mattress, window and door manufacturers. “Henkel commitment is seen as beneficial for both companies – not just in terms of opportunity and growth, but we’re also hoping to identify applications for Henkel products. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Kenyon team, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds. Right now, our prospects look very bright indeed.” The Kenyon Group – proud to be a Henkel Premium Partner. 0161 627 1001 salesteam@kenyon-group.co.uk www.kenyon-group.co.uk

Installations

“It has also allowed us to do things which would have otherwise have been a real head-scratcher. To be honest, I never knew machines like this, at this price, actually existed. It’s brilliant!”

INSTALLATIONS 29

With a reputation for quality work, but somewhat held back by its tired production set-up, TaylorMade by Stanton took the plunge with a new CNC drill, which has proved a revelation for the Gloucester business – John Legg paid the company a visit …

Improving production efficiency and design capability, the easy way Based in Longhope, Gloucester, TaylorMade by Stanton is a highly reputed manufacturer of high-quality bespoke interiors and kitchen, bedroom and home office furniture. Since June 2000, the company’s designs have always been composed of top-quality materials, appliances and worktops, in order to give its customers a true tailor-made service with quality at the forefront and an attention to detail that is second-to-none.

TalyorMade by Stanton partner Tom Hancock beside the company’s AES Sirius 950M CNC drilling machine – ‘a revelation’ he says...

The company’s showroom is impressive, and features a choice of fully-built designs which demonstrate the company’s dexterous capabilities to the full – from clean and classic upscale Shaker-style options through curving counters and statement lacquered cabinetry styles, to cool, urban contemporary chic – it’s clear partners Jeremy Stanton and Tom Hancock know their onions. However, despite initial investment in the business running only to mainly used machinery – much of which is still functioning as intended – TaylorMade has built a healthy business based on delivering a quality product. To achieve such a prime finish with very simple machines, the workshop team laboured with countless jigs and manual benchwork and drilling operations, which was naturally time-consuming and occasionally lacked the precision needed, and in turn led to reworkings in order to pass muster. To help the business achieve greater efficiency, partners Jeremy and Tom researched the market for a solution, and found it in the shape of a compact AES Sirius 950M CNC drilling machine, which, at the time of my visit, had already helped their process significantly. AES’ recently introduced Sirius CNC point-topoint boring machine is a well-made, heavyduty machine, weighing almost 1.5 tons – this heft comes in handy, with the X and Y axis able to move at speeds of up to 70m/min. Even the largest panels are loaded and move through the machine with ease, thanks to the air floatation tables which are firmly held for positioning by the pneumatic gripper. The machine has a generous 950mm working width and is equipped with 10 vertical drills, drilling from below to ensure the working surface and all holes are kept dust-free. It also has the benefit of increased accuracy, as the drilling depth will always be correct, despite any tolerances in the thickness of the workpiece. The machine also comes equipped with

horizontal drilling to all four sides and a grooving saw in the X axis, making it an ideal all-rounder The machine has a large, industrial-based, 17in colour Windows-based PC, with both USB and remote file transfer. With the addition of the optional router head, various tasks can be easily resolved – such as grooving for solid backs on carcasses, routing out for cable management, pipes or skirtings, shaping for corner units, and so on. The further option of the automatic toolchanger improves efficiency where multiple tools are needed, and expands the possibilities yet further. The J & C O’Meara-supplied product was set up by its regional agent, Southampton-based Sawtec. Regarding the installation of the Sirius, Tom Hancock reports that it went very well, overcoming an initial hard-drive issue very professionally. After the commissioning and initial training, Tom described the Sirius as a revelation: “After training, even when getting used to it, we got up to speed quite quickly and were making all types of semi-finished furniture parts pretty much straight away. “It has also allowed us to do things which would have otherwise have been a real head-scratcher. To be honest, I never knew machines like this, at this price, actually existed. It’s brilliant!” In terms of design potential, the addition of the Sirius is a positive move. Tom quickly realised how the AES Sirius drill is helping the company become more consistently efficient from a production perspective, and also how it has enabled Jeremy’s designs to be more sophisticated when the need arises. In conclusion, with such a modest investment, the AES Sirius 950M CNC point-to-point boring machine is proving transformational for TaylorMade by Stanton – so much so, the partners are already talking of further investment very soon. 01704 893109 www.ukwoodworkingmachinery.co.uk

30 INSTALLATIONS

Taylor Made Joinery investing in the future with Homag UK Established in 1981 by James Taylor, Taylor Made Joinery Interiors (TMJ) began trading from a 1500ft2 barn at Newberry Farm in Suffolk. The company manufactured the domestic joinery for GA Taylor Builders, James’ father’s construction company.

The Sawteq B-300 Beam Saw is coupled with the Storeteq S-200 at Taylor Made Joinery Interiors

During the 1990s TMJ moved into a purposebuilt 36,000ft2 works and completed its most prestigious project to date – the refurbishment of 10 Downing Street. Since then, it has completed many notable projects including restoring the Private Chapel at Windsor Castle after the devastating fire in 1992, the Royal Opera House refurbishment of the main auditorium, the £5.5m Royal Festival Hall project and the London 2012 Olympics project, worth £7.5m. In 2018 the directors of the business could see that the work the business was handling was changing. “There was an increasing demand for cabinetry units,” explains founder and MD, James Taylor. “To accommodate this change, we realised we would need to increase our production to remain competitive in the market.

A major investment “Rather than opting for a short-term fix, we decided the time was right to make a major investment in the future of the business. We wanted to automate large swathes of our production process to give us a significant competitive advantage. “So began a thorough market evaluation. We looked at where the market was and where we thought it was heading. We evaluated our main competitors to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and we looked at what new machinery and software were available to automate our production processes. “Following this, we predicted what we thought the needs of the business would be over the next five years – all of which was done prior to Covid-19, of course.

“Perhaps the biggest commitment we made was to invest in Homag’s automated storage and retrieval system, the Storeteq S-200, along with the Sawteq B-300. Although this machinery itself was a major investment, the overall outlay was much greater. Accommodating this new equipment into our operation meant a £750,000 project for the construction of a new 13,000ft2 building, which required the demolition of part of the existing site. Partnering with Homag UK “The decision to procure the Storeteq S-200 with the Sawteq B-300 was part of a package of equipment that we eventually purchased from Homag UK. The process of finding the right partner for this equipment began with looking through the various trade magazines and going

to the trade fairs in Germany and the UK. “Once we had completed our initial research we contacted Charles Smith, our Homag UK area manager. We have known Charles for many years, and during this time have built a strong and trusting relationship with him. His knowledge and experience of the industry are second-tonone, and he really understands our business. “He listened to our goals and then helped us put together a package of machinery and software that would deliver what we were looking for. Charles was able to bring to the party not only his extensive experience, but also the knowledge of successful solutions his other clients have implemented. “From our side, we wanted to specify machines with a little bit of extra flexibility to cope with the changes in demand that often occur in the market. Whilst we’re doing a lot of cabinetry work at the moment, we need to have the ability to handle more solid joinery jobs and work with other materials when the need arises. “Together we were able to draw up a list of equipment that included a Drillteq V-500 vertical CNC, the Sawteq B-300 beam saw coupled with the Storeteq S-200 automatic storage and retrieval system, a Loopteq O-300 automatic return system for our airTec edgebander, and a Centateq P-210 five-axis CNC router. We also invested in the MagiCut software to maximise the potential of the beam saw. “Before committing to the machinery, Charles arranged for us to visit various UK manufacturers who had similar models. Seeing the machines out in the field working on real

The Storeteq S-200 Automated Storage and Retrieval System has increased production capacity by at least +20%

jobs is very important to us. “It’s all about engaging our workforce in the procurement process. So when we visited these sites we took some of our operators along with us. This gave them the opportunity to talk to fellow operators in other businesses – not only to understand how the machines perform, but also to learn new techniques and production ideas that could potentially benefit our business. Setting up the new facility “Back in 2013 we were one of the first companies to invest in the Homag BHX 200 vertical drilling CNC. Since then, we have experienced exceptional business growth, and a bottleneck had emerged in the production of cabinets – specifically regarding the jointing process. “Consequently, the first of the new machines to be installed in February 2019 was Homag’s Drillteq V-500. Previously, we used to ‘biscuit’ the joints for cabinets and carcasses – this was done on the bench by hand. It was, however, a slow and far-from-satisfactory process which involved a fair amount of finger crossing when it came to lining up the holes and making the joint flush! “The Drillteq V-500 has changed all this – it not only drills the holes accurately and quickly, but it also delivers a +50% improvement in time-

saving as it automatically inserts the dowels, consistently producing stronger joints with absolute accuracy. “The Storeteq S-200 with the Sawteq B-300 was perhaps the most significant part of our plan. The installation of this automated storage and retrieval system was critical, and I have to take my hat off to the professionalism of Homag’s installation team. The complex process took time, but the install went very smoothly, and I would like to pay tribute to one particular Homag engineer, Gordon Mackenzie, who was so accommodating throughout the process. “This technologically advanced system has revolutionised our business. It gives us the ability to increase our production capacity by at least +20%. We can load the sheet material in the daytime, select and prepare the panels in the evening whilst the factory is shut, then cut them when the shift arrives in the morning before sending the workpieces straight to the edgebander and the CNC machines. “It makes the most of the whole day, not just the normal working hours, and it’s given us options. Previously, a lot of the panels were subbed out for cutting – but now we can handle all of the work in-house so we control everything, especially the quality. And of course, we save on transport, handling and sub-contractor fees, too.

“The installation of this automated storage and retrieval system was critical, and I have to take my hat off to the professionalism of Homag’s installation team”

››

32 INSTALLATIONS

Establishing a door and door-frame cell “Our new Centateq P-210 CNC was purchased to manufacture our doors and door frames. Again, previously a lot of our door packages were subbed out, but in the last month we’ve made around 400 door sets within the factory, so that’s given us yet another competitive advantage. “We can now diversify into different products as well. So we are able to target new markets where previously we wouldn’t have been able to compete. For example, we are now competitive in both the hotel fit-out and laboratory markets. “Our reasons for partnering with Homag are numerous. Over the years a real trust has built between our two companies. This has been cemented by Charles Smith, whose input and professionalism we value highly. The German parent company not only designs and produces innovative, easy-to-operate machinery with a robust build-quality, but it also develops firstclass software and control systems. “All this is backed up by an extensive network of engineers in the UK who support and service us when the need arises. Financially, the Homag solution works well too – we expect to achieve a return on our recent investments within four years.

“Our reasons for partnering with Homag are numerous. Over the years a real trust has built between our two companies. This has been cemented by Charles Smith, whose input and professionalism we value highly”

The Drillteq V-500 Vertical CNC has delivered a +50% improvement in time-saving for TMJ

“In June this year we added another Homag Drillteq V-500, this time with an automatic return system. This was purchased to handle the increasing amount of repeat business we get. “Our turnover for this year will be around £36m. However, with recent investments in Homag machinery and software, we will see this grow to over £50m within a few years, despite the Covid-19 pandemic. “The automated solutions from Homag have helped us operate safely throughout these unprecedented times. We have established a

The Centateq P-210 five-axis CNC Router has enabled TMJ to enter new markets with an expanded product range

two-shift working pattern with a one-hour gap between shifts to allow for cleaning down. “It would be remiss of me not to mention our own workforce, whose flexibility and dedication in these challenging conditions have, in no small measure, been responsible for us being able to maintain our production levels,” concludes James. For a demonstration, or more information on any of Homag’s machines or software, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424. www.homag.com

Surfacing & Decorative Panels A truly great design is one that stands out from the crowd. Kronospan urges the industry to grab attention with its Kollection range, 63 on-trend decors from the panel product industry leader, with 18 brand-new decors added for 2020. Each decor is designed by Kronospan and exclusively copyrighted, and offered in 18mm MFC with matching laminates and edging available. Best of all, every single decor is in stock and available for next-day delivery from distribution titan, Lawcris.

63 one-of-a-kind decors – including 18 new releases – from Kronospan and Lawcris Drawing inspiration from four cities across Europe, the brand-new decors for 2020 are another step in Kronospan’s decor development journey. Responding to market demand for contemporary, urban design, and reflecting the varied influences on the evolution of the urban environment, the range aims to encapsulate the spirit of four modern cities: bohemian Barcelona, where industrial meets artisanal; sophisticated Milan, hub of European fashion; contemporary Moscow, where tradition meets rapid modernisation, and dynamic Warsaw, a rising star of Europe’s design sphere.

The result of this research and inspiration is a collection of decors that embraces the latest trends, each working harmoniously together to create “exemplary design opportunities”, says Kronospan. The new decors exude character and charm, with more realistic colouration and feel than ever before. Embracing the flourishing trend for industrial materials, the Kollection’s Flow decors celebrate the raw beauty of metal and concrete textures in hues that range from the chalky Silk Flow (K349) to the moody Charcoal Flow (K353). Rusty Flow (K351), meanwhile, incorporates rich, reddish-brown hues, emulating the exquisite imperfection of oxidised iron.

The new Kollection decors also include five distinct woodgrain groups, offering opportunity for emotion-evoking design, with each family expressing a unique personality. The rustic, reclaimed look of the Grange Oak series sits alongside the soft, hazy grain of the Aurora Elms, while the Castello and Harbor Oaks emulate live-sawn wood in contemporary tones, inspiring a wide variety of design interpretation. These exclusive Kollection decors can be mixed and matched to create original designs that really stand out from the crowd. All 63 MFC decors are in stock at Lawcris, ready for nextday delivery. www.lawcris.co.uk

Service that makes a difference - now and in the long term Sherwin-Williams â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Your Coating Solutions Partner At Sherwin-Williams, we understand that high quality service is as important as high quality products. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why our expert teams work tirelessly to ensure you receive the best support. This includes everything from developing tailored coating solutions based on samples from your operations, to advising you on how you can best utilise the latest innovations, to ensuring your solutions are always delivered on-site, on-time. If you require a finishing solution and you want the optimal one for your operations, then look no further.

Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Ltd A1 Business Park, Knottingley | West Yorkshire WF11 0BU Phone +44 (0) 1977 67 33 63 | Fax +44 (0) 1977 67 35 21 ukinfo@sherwin.com | www.sherwin-williams.eu

Your Coating Solutions Partner

36 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

Take a good look around. Whether at home, work or play, there is a good chance there is a Decorative Panels product nearby.

Antimicrobial finishes from Decorative Panels Lamination Decorative Panels Lamination is proud to one of be Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading suppliers of decorativefaced sheet materials. The passion the team clearly feels for the company and industry has opened doors to the innovative approach and high-performance products on offer. Partnering with Addmaster (UK), which helped pioneer the use of antimicrobial additives with its Biomaster product range, Decorative Panels can offer products with surfaces that are able to inhibit the growth of bacteria by up to 99.99%. Decorative Panels has offered antimicrobial products within its portfolio for over eight years, but now, as can be imagined, the interest for these has accelerated. To cater for this demand, a much wider offering than before will be rolled out across all of the dp-group companies using sheet materials and edgebanding, which will offer the highest possible product protection, independently tested to ISO 22196. It is universally acknowledged that the beauty lies in the detail, and, as a trade laminator of sheet materials for the furniture and allied industries, Decorative Panels Lamination can offer an extensive range of surface designs incorporating Biomaster technology laminated to many different substrates. These substrates can then be converted â&#x20AC;&#x201C; either in-house at sister companies dp-furniture and dp-components, or externally to fellow manufacturers in many different market areas. Based on silver ion technology, long recognised

to have no harmful effects, Biomaster is already extensively used in medical, food and water applications. Biomaster antimicrobial additives are registered with the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) and the Food and Drug Administration, and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). When bacteria comes into contact with a Biomaster-protected surface, the silver ions prevent the bacteria from growing, producing energy or replicating, and they die. The potential areas of application for such products are, as can be imagined, vast, and not limited to the healthcare environment. With all areas of everyday life now demanding increased levels of hygiene, Decorative Panels utilising Biomaster antimicrobial finishes provides a protective solution that never degrades. Unlike some antimicrobial agents, Biomaster is incredibly durable, long lasting and highly active. When added, it is dispersed throughout the entire item and becomes an integral part of the product. But how long does the protection last? The answer for Decorative Panels, using Biomaster additive for many years, is 24/7, for the lifetime of the product. It contains built-in antimicrobial product protection that does not wear off or leach out. Decorative Panels Lamination produces over 300,000m2 of the highest-quality laminated products each week. Having pioneered the use of lightweight paper foils as decorative overlays

in the UK, dp-lamination now has one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of decor materials in the UK. Surface finishes range from woodgrain paper foil veneers through to high gloss and matt acrylics under the brands of dp-decor and dpspecialist, as well as an ever-expanding portfolio of unique and diverse surface solutions under the brand of dp-limitless. With the dp-decor range from Decorative Panels Lamination, users can discover high levels of design realism. This collection promises to inspire no matter the ambition, no matter the challenge. Drawing from an extensive range of stock finishes, design exclusivity is also available, ensuring that the beauty of dp-lamination products can satisfy every customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demands. Products are available without commitment to bulk quantities, and deliverable from single sheets up to full loads. Just choose the decor and specify the substrate, and Decorative Panels will laminate it. Together with Biomaster, Decorative Panels Lamination is ready to clean up in the marketplace. www.decorativepanels.co.uk

QUALITY PANEL SUPPLY PRODUCTS Wooden Edge Glued Panels Worktops TGV Legs Birch Ply Wood veneered mdf Wood edge banding MDF MR MDF MR Butt & Bead Primed THICKNESSES 6/9/12/15/16/18/20/22/25/27/30/40mm WIDTHS 300/600/620/915/1210/1220mm LENGTHS 1000mm through to 4000mm SPECIES Oak, Ash, Pine, Knotless Pine, Tulipwood/Yellow Poplar, Beech, Iroko, Maple, Black Walnut and more SERVICES Cutting Service Available 24-72 hour delivery National & European delivery available Volume orders from stock No minimum orders Rubio Monocoat Supplier

01206 396725

sales@mlpanels.com www.mlpanels.com @mlpanels

38 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

INTERVIEW

Graham Buchan Commercial Director, West Region, EMEAI, The Sherwin-Williams Company

For the uninitiated, please introduce the Sherwin-Williams business. Sherwin-Williams is a US multinational group, with its headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. With sales of nearly $18b, and over 60,000 employees in 2019, it is one of the largest paint and coatings business in the world. The group is organised into three sales divisions – Paint Stores, Consumer Brands and Performance Coatings. The latter division is focused on industrial coatings, supplying the automotive, general industrial, packaging, protective and marine, coil and industrial wood segments. Sherwin-Williams UK Coatings Ltd, based at Knottingley, West Yorkshire, is the UK headquarters for our industrial wood coatings business. Whilst some readers may not be familiar with the Sherwin-Williams name, the roots of the industrial wood coatings business go back many decades, and the company is a combination of previous businesses such as Becker Acroma, Granyte and Hickson. Sherwin-Williams is well known for its consumer brands – Valspar, Ronseal and others. Please summarise its key options for the UK furniture, joinery and carpentry trades Sherwin-Williams’ consumer brands such as Valspar and Ronseal are justifiably well known, but the Sherwin-Williams’ industrial business is an important player in its respective markets, and Sherwin-Williams UK is a key supplier to the industrial wood sector, where we provide leading-edge coatings solutions to some of the country’s largest manufacturers producing kitchens, exterior windows and both exterior

and interior doors, architectural mouldings and furniture, plus shopfitters and a host of more specialised industries such as luxury yachts, audio, musical instruments, and more. Additionally working with long-established distribution partners, the business also reaches SMEs operating in sectors such as joinery/ carpentry, shopfitting, hospitality, etc.” What are the strengths of Sherwin-Williams? Sherwin-Williams, as part of our European organisation, is uniquely able to draw on the strengths of both its Swedish and Italian laboratories and, through this access to both

northern and southern Industrial wood coating technologies, is able to provide effective, lowcost and high-quality solutions to any user requirement. Additionally, at our Knottingley base, Sherwin-Williams UK is able to adjust products to fit the needs of the most exacting customer – this is particularly important due to the growing demand for fast and highly precise volume colours. Another winning feature is the depth of experience in our great team, and that SherwinWilliams offers a large and very experienced team of field technicians in the UK Industrial wood coatings market. What makes Sherwin-Williams’ product range stand out? What are the key benefits for users? As outlined above, the product range is uniquely wide in combining the best leading-edge technology from both the north and south of Europe. The range includes, of course, traditional ‘northern’ products such as Pre-Cat and A/C, as well as standard ‘southern’ technologies such as polyurethane and polyester. But SherwinWilliams’ range is considered highly innovative because of its strength in ‘green’ solutions such as waterborne (both for interior and exterior), UV/IR cure and even powder coatings for wood. Another important aspect of our business is the strength of the two key brands of SherwinWilliams UK – Sherwin-Williams and Sayerlack – which are sold with pride by our distributors, with full support from our UK team.

››

40 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

Describe a typical Sherwin-Williams furniture trade customer – what are the benefits of working with Sherwin-Williams? Of course, there is no such thing as a typical customer, and that is what makes our job always so stimulating! If a large manufacturer has a specific requirement – it may be that they are looking to reduce their VOC emissions, or increase the efficiency of their production lines, or improve the finish they are achieving on their products, or achieve a better colour consistency across their production, or to change their line configuration and application process – then we are able to provide them all the technical support and products which they will need. The customer will, of course, benefit from the depth of knowledge of the Sherwin-Williams local team, but we are able to go way beyond this, and work in close conjunction with our Swedish and Italian colleagues to provide the most innovative and cost-effective solutions adapted to the specific requirements of our customers. We are also able at our Swedish and Italian labs and technical centres to run large-scale trials of systems so that our customers can evaluate the performance without having to interrupt their own production. Discuss one of your halo products, and explain why it stands out from its peers One of the features of the Sherwin-Williams industrial wood coatings organisation is that new products are constantly being launched on the market, which is excellent news, both for our customers and for our distribution partners. There is a lot of work in many areas at the moment – for example, in exterior coatings systems, fire-retardant product, bio-renewable products such as Excimer UV, powder for wood … the list goes on and on. So there are a great many to choose from. However, if I had to identify one area of particular interest, I’d highlight that we continue to work closely with customers in the interior furniture market - and especially kitchens – to develop new products that provide a combination of durability and stain resistance with a truly excellent finish and feel, as well as delivering significant improvements in VOC emissions and in the working environment for our customers.

Can you tell us about current and future developments? Like many businesses, our main focus at present is on maintaining a high level of service and supply to our customers whilst keeping them and our own employees safe during the Covid pandemic. We remained open throughout the first lockdown, and we expect to do the same in the coming months. Brexit is another matter high on our priorities at the moment and, despite the many continuing uncertainties, we are trying to plan as extensively as possible to ensure an excellent continuity of supply and service. Looking further ahead, in 2021 we plan to recommence the growth strategy which has worked so well in recent years. We will be

launching new products which we expect will strengthen our position in markets such as exterior joinery, interior mouldings and kitchens, whilst also looking for new market segments where we can grow. Whatever challenges lie ahead in 2021 and beyond, Sherwin-Williams and our UK team are committed to supporting our customers with continued innovations, especially in the area of environmentally compatible coatings systems, as well as industry-leading service, where our Knottingley facility operates as the local connection to our research and development teams across Europe and around the world. wood.sherwin.com sayerlack.com

hurry... they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hang around forever fundamentals A diverse range of designs available from stock under the banner of our dp-fundamentals range.

Available in varying widths and quantities, these foils can be laminated single or double sided to any of our extensive range of substrates at discounted levels.

T: +44 (0) 1484 658341 E: info@decorativepanels.co.uk www.decorativepanels.co.uk

Solid Wood Processing Robert Blumsom is not afraid of change. In a market that has seen independent timber mills become engulfed by nationwide timber merchants, Blumsom Timber Centre has grown and diversified, while maintaining the core values etched into the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 124-year history. Its dedication to its customers, unique service-based business model and the unwavering importance placed on innovation has led the Barking-based company to embark on a 30-year relationship with German machinery manufacturer, Weinig, that is as firm today as it was then.

The power of change

From left: Robert and Freddie Blumsom

SOLID WOOD PROCESSING 43

“We’ve never been a company that stands still,” begins Robert Blumsom, chairman of Blumsom Timber Centre and founder of Blumsom Custom Milling. “In 1980, I was the fourth generation to run the family business. I could see a need to expand our operation if we wanted to do more than just thrive in an extremely competitive market. “Peers called me crazy for opening an on-site mill – which in turn has seen us become a secure part of the supply chain in the south – and my decision to work with FSC timber before it became an industry standard was questioned by many. But I knew that I needed to invest in the company’s future and I knew I needed Blumsom’s offering to be different.” Investment came in the form of an advanced on-site machining facility that could offer a quick turnaround time and no minimum order quantity on solid wood and MDF mouldings. “To provide this service, we needed the best moulders on the market, and Weinig was the only manufacturer that could supply us with the kit we needed,” admits Robert. “We haven’t looked back, and, as a result, over time, we’ve been able to reduce labour costs by -35% and process three times as many timber mouldings on half the number of machines.” More recently, the company has undergone a £1m invest project that has seen the full renovation of its workshop and storage facilities and the introduction of a brand-new Weinig P1500 moulder – the first of its kind in the UK – designed to streamline production, secure short lead times and increase machining efficiencies. “We knew we needed a highly specified machine to fit into our manufacturing process, and Weinig delivered,” says Robert. “We were already running two Powermat moulders to create standard hardwood profiles – including

architraves, door frames, door stops and lippings – and non-standard profiles specified by architects. But we lacked flexibility when it came to working from cuttings lists with multiplesized components. Our processes weren’t cost effective, and at times we would outsource jobs, reducing our margins further.” To overcome this, the new Powermat 1500 was built with a universal head and a second right head that can be inclined to 45˚ – a unique offering, created for the longstanding timber specialist. These options gave Blumsom the extra flexibility it needed, and reduced the number of tools required. The added 310mm width capacity, and variable speed of 4-12,000rpm (controlled through the Powercom system) also lent itself to broader production capabilities and in turn, future-proofed the investment.

product every time. “Many of our competitors have a standard 14day lead time, but because we can now control the entire process, our customers know their order can be with them in five to seven days. We’ve even been able to complete an order in less than three days for a customer who was up against it. “That’s the beauty of an independent – we are not answerable to anyone. and go the extra mile. If it came down to price and price alone, people would simply endure long 14-day lead times from a nationwide depot, but our customers expect more than that. Their livelihoods depend on it.” Robert adds: “We are so proud of our history and what we have achieved. My son, Freddie, has recently taken on the role of chairman, and he too has the foresight to invest in innovation – this is why we’ve been steaming

“Weinig’s machinery and technology has helped us stay ahead of the curve, and I can honestly say that without them, we wouldn’t have a business today” “The universal head has stopped us having to take projects offsite – especially door frames with 3D groove positions on the bottom, side and top, which we can now machine effectively ourselves,” says Robert. “This shortens the supply chain, gives us complete control over our production and, ultimately, reduces costs. “The moulder’s quick set-up time, ability to switch from short to long runs, and its capacity to adjust PAR from one size to another without us having to turn off the machine, has also reduced downtime and positively impacted on our own lead times, whilst its production accuracy means we can ensure a high-quality

ahead with our £1m investment programme. We know the industry will change and we know we’ll have to change our processes to remain relevant – but, like all things, change offers opportunities. “Looking back, as soon as I could afford to buy new machinery, I bought the very best on the market. Did the company need it? Not at the time – we could have settled for a lesser model. But are we better off for it now? Absolutely. Weinig’s machinery and technology has helped us stay ahead of the curve, and I can honestly say that without them, we wouldn’t have a business today. Here’s to the next 124 years.” www.weinig.co.uk

Blumsom’s Powermat 1500 includes a universal head for the production of complex profiles in one pass and flexible working positions on all four sides

››

44 SOLID WOOD PROCESSING

Additional Powermat 1500 features include: • 4-12,000 rpm spindle speed for more linear production without sacrificing high surface quality. • Efficient dust extraction with reduced air velocity. Intuitive machine control with Powercom Plus, making swift dimensional or profile changes possible. • Ease of operation via the Comfort Set for safe and fast setup. • Workpiece monitoring that allows dimensional changes while the machine is running. • SmartTouch, with a mobile tablet supplementing the main control unit. • Comfort Set for wrench-free adjustment of pressure and guiding elements. • Textured surfaces on ornamental mouldings with irregular surfaces are almost unlimited.

salvamac //be the change // salvamac.com

cross-cutting Semi-automatic cross-cutting saws

cross-cutting

Optimizing saws

cross-cutting SalvaStop

SALVAMAC SP. Z O.O. Ul. Modrzewiowa 18, 62 081 PrzeĹşmierowo POLAND

info@salvamac.com - www.salvamac.com

46 SOLID WOOD PROCESSING

Two machines are seeing significant enquiry growth ahead of 2021 – here’s why… by Alex Dalton, director at Daltons Wadkin As we know, most industries take a seasonal approach to selling product. Recently, we have just had Halloween and Guy Fawkes night. Next on the agenda is Christmas. Despite the ongoing pandemic, retailers will have been prepared for these high-profile national events many months in advance, with their stock and inventory ordered as far back as the beginning of the summer. Using our industry as an example, though, when businesses look to invest in their machinery, it is usually done at the opposite end of the season they are targeting, as they want to disrupt the existing production. With one eye already on spring across our industry, we have seen a significant surge recently in enquiries about two particular

machines – Stenner band resaws and Salvador automatic crosscut saws. Why these two particular machines? Due to the impact of Covid-19 and the fact that we’re still in the dark as to how long we’re going to be dealing with the repercussions of this virus, the gardening industry is set for a huge boom in 2021, and companies right across the country are making sure they’re prepared for it. Many within the sector were caught off-guard by the sudden surge earlier this year as lockdown took effect and big family holidays abroad were cancelled – leading to many people across our country turning to get those jobs done that they had been putting off, or getting

stuck into outdoor renovation jobs themselves. However, the gardening season is done for 2020. The last lawn cuts are being completed, the summer work is finished, and homeowners won’t really be thinking about it again until spring next year. And now our industry is preparing for that, with many companies looking to purchase multiples or combinations of Stenner band resaws and Salvador automatic crosscuts machines in anticipation of that next boom. Here’s why businesses are, particularly, looking to get their hands on these two key pieces of equipment. Why are the Stenner band resaws and Salvador automatic crosscut saws proving so popular? The Stenner band resaw is, essentially,

the Rolls Royce of band resaws. They’re used for ripping down lengths of solid timber. They’re used a lot by sawmills, timber merchants, joinery companies, hardwood importers, and anyone processing solid wood. In particular, Stenner is geared towards higher production, and with the expected increase in relation to garden furniture and products, businesses are looking for ways to upscale their production output. That is particularly the case with garden furniture, including sheds, garden offices and fencing products, for which there continues to be huge demand. That ties in with the Salvador product, which is an automatic crosscut saw also used for solid timber processing in joinery production, pallet and case manufacturers, garden furniture, and timber-frame building, and is a huge labour-saving machine (compared to the more traditional methods for crosscutting timber). People that invest in these are often using manual crosscutting techniques. Typically, a Salvador can replace up to four or five manual operations, and in so doing reduce the amount of waste they’re producing. They also provide better accuracy of cut, and require fewer people to use them. There are a bunch of long-term savings that come with purchasing machines like this. They have got a proven track record that is easily demonstrable to enquiring customers. There are other machines in the market – but rather than these machines being sold on price, they’re sold on overall performance and what they can deliver, namely outstanding value for money, backed by Daltons Wadkin’s industry-leading support services department. Both machines are incredibly flexible, too. When it comes to hi-tech production machines, these are the best that there are on the market. www.daltonswadkin.com

Salvador automatic crosscut

Stenner band resaw

48 SOLID WOOD PROCESSING

Intorex, based just outside Barcelona, is recognised throughout the world as a premier manufacturer of both CNC lathes and CNC between centres five-axis machining centres.

Intorex – CNC wood-turning solutions These machines can be used to produce a wide variety of turned and shaped products for solid wood furniture, stair parts and some special commissions, such as a machine for producing hurley sticks. Whilst Intorex manufactures a standard range of CNC machinery, in many cases the final configuration is specifically designed to suit a customer’s individual production requirements. The CNC lathe range consists of three different models – the entry-level CNB 1500, the mid-range CKI 1500/2000, and lastly the top-of-the-range CKX – which can be supplied with a maximum working length capacity of 600, 1300 or 1600mm. All of these machines are quick and simple to set up, as no sample or template is needed – instead, profiles to be turned are easily created on the resident IntorEDIT design software which is supplied as standard across the range. All machines feature two independent CNCcontrolled gouges – one for roughing and the other for finishing – and, thanks to the CNC control, it is possible to achieve impressive quality and definition of the turned parts. On request, the CKI and CKX models can be fitted with an optional fourth CNC-controlled axis, on which either a router unit, inclinable milling unit or sanding head can be mounted. In addition to the two standard CNC gouges and the hydraulic pre-rounding gouge, this makes the lathes extremely versatile.

Although there is the option of an inbuilt sanding unit on the lathes, Intorex also supplies the LNX CNC rotary sander that would usually work in conjuction with a CKX lathe. In this case, they can be operated as two standalone machines – or, on request, a robot arm can be specified to automatically take the turned piece from the lathe and load it into the sander. For the volume production of small turned parts up to 300mm long (such as sofa feet) there is the all-new CNC CRM rotary lathe and sander combination. For the production of small items such as knobs and caps there is the TRD65 model. Intorex also manufactures the HB65 dowel rounding machine. Last, but certainly not least, there is the range of TMC and TKC five-axis CNC machining

centres, which can be used to produce both standard turned parts and more complex shaped parts. These machines are equipped with automatic loading, shaping head, sanding head and sawblade and/or gouge for turning. There is also an overhead router head with a 10-position rotary toolchanger. Working lengths can be either 1500 or 3000mm. There are many successful Intorex machine installations in the UK, with a number of customers having two, three or more machines. For further details, contact exclusive UK partner JJ Smith on 0151 548 9000, email sales@jjsmith.co.uk, or visit www.jjsmith.co.uk.

CNC Lathes » Three different models available with 3 or 4 CNC controlled axis » Milling head for twisting / fluting » Optional sanding head for combined turning & sanding cycle » Dedicated for the production of high quality turned furniture & stair parts up to 2.5m in length

0151 548 9000 sales@jjsmith.co.uk www.jjsmith.co.uk

50 SOLID WOOD PROCESSING

“2020 has been an incredibly surprising and successful year for us,” states Christian Salvador, co-founder of Salvamac Group. “Undoubtedly, the effects linked to the pandemic, the uncertainty of demand and the absence of fairs to present our new products did not help us, but the passion, the knowledge of the market and an innovative vision linked to new technological solutions allowed the group to achieve a truly record year!

Record year for Salvamac Group

“Indeed, in 2020 we have been leaders both in terms of sales and turnover (acquiring important market shares, even at the expense of our competitors), but above all we have been able to launch the new Salvamac Group.” With this in mind, Salvamac has grown exponentially over the year and has been grouped into three divisions: Cross-cutting, specialised in the cutting and optimisation of wood; Air&Painting, representing the reference point for air suction and filtration systems and wood varnishing; and finally the brand-new Salvamac Selection, an innovation which has naturally and greatly evolved from the Salvamac project. “Therefore, we significantly enlarged our range of products, added new innovations to

the existing ones, expanded our structures and, going against the tide, greatly increased our investments for the future,” explains Christian. The success of Salvamac Group stems from Salvamac’s Cross-Cutting division, which is fueled by the experience of the company’s founders in the field of automatic and semiautomatic machines for wood cutting. In 2020, among the aggregates, the electronic SalvaStop_100 has been both confirmed and had a strong technological evolution – it is a system that electronically manages the stop and positioning of the bars or profiles, of any material, to be cut with high speed and absolute precision, thanks to special mechanical solutions and the latest-generation electronic brushless motor.

Salvamac’s recent developments allow SalvaStop to cut boards longer than 7m and to communicate with external IT systems, thus directly importing data and bills from company management software. This is an example of how the concepts of Industry 4.0 can also be applied to standalone machines, which offer important performances with limited investment. It should also be noted that SalvaStop can be installed on the Salvamac semi-automatic and manual crosscut saws, which require limited investment, but are a decisive step towards faster, safer and more effective production. In 2020, this path was enriched and completed with the presentation of the new version of the innovative optimising saw, SalvaPush

2000. “Optimising wood cutting for the needs of individual customers is part of our DNA,” continues Ziemowit Dolkowksi, a Salvamac partner, “and this is just the beginning. We have created a very flexible and cutting-edge technical solution for improving single boards with defects and qualities or even packs of boards, using the most advanced technologies at a reasonable price.” SalvaPush 2000 comes with a brand-new software version that is easily manageable, like a smartphone, with website graphics and all the convenience of data setting via a large touchscreen, all electronic components being connected in digital communication.

‘We significantly enlarged our range of products, added new innovations to the existing ones, expanded our structures and, going against the tide, greatly increased our investments for the future’

Moreover, there are new exclusive mechanical solutions, both for the cutting and the pusher systems, that have become part of the complete digital management of the machine’s communication systems – not only within their electronic components, but towards external IT systems. 2020 was also a year of strong international growth for the new Air&Painting division. During the year, this part of the group has increasingly specialised in suction systems, among which the launch of the new SuperDep filter has taken hold, becoming its bestselling product. In particular, the mobile dust extractors of the SuperDep series have been designed and manufactured using the highest technologies to be very versatile, take up little space, and be suitable for indoor and outdoor use – extremely functional in extracting dust and wood chips. The automatic compressed air cleaning system makes them the right ally for those working in the industrial sector of woodworking, achieving a residual dust content of less than 0.1mg/m3. The filters are thus compliant with the residual dust level H3 because of the fan, which is positioned in such a way as to obtain a negative pressure, preventing the escape of dust in the event of a leak. Finally,the new Salvamac Group project has led to the creation of the third division, the Salvamac Selection – a selection of different products with the same culture and philosophy that distinguishes Salvamac itself. It is a novelty that its creators, Christian and Ziemowit, define as a revolutionary approach to the market. “Unlike others, we have always

believed in the importance of union and aggregation,” they say, “and we think that today there is an opportunity for a changing development, with strong and positive effects – even in the immediate future! Our network and its strength have allowed us to introduce new products focused on the solid wood industry every month.” In this context, Salvamac has just launched the new Professional Multi-Function and Mobile Table Friend_300, with an adjustable height. Stability, safety, manageability and comfort are some of the features that make Friend_300 truly supportive. Working with the utmost simplicity, this safe, professional table is on hand to help the operator in their daily work – the “perfect aid” for reducing operators’ efforts, as it can be used as support for storage, loading, unloading and transport, and as a real workstation. The last months of 2020 in particular completed Salvamac’s record year, with the presentation of some products that will certainly represent another growth opportunity for the Italian-Polish company. The sturdy new briquetting presses of the Leader 50-60-70 series was created, which can be combined with Salvamac’s relative filters, thus forming a single waste treatment line. Finally, Salvamac Selection launched its most recent innovations – the new radial arm saws of the FlixCut series and the Run feed units – confirming the continuous development within the group, which is set to continue to surprise and impress in the coming year. www.salvamac.com

52 SOLID WOOD PROCESSING

Since starting in 2007, AMS has been working to provide a quality, safe-and-easy-operation planer moulder to its spare parts, tooling and training offering. It has been working to train its engineers to become planer-moulder experts with just one objective in mind – to cover all customers’ needs, from when they go to the AMS showroom for a demo, until they need a new cutterhead or an engineer to service their machine.

AMS works every day to be the best planer moulder supplier in the UK and Ireland At the AMS showroom in Skeffington, Leicestershire, visitors will be able to find a big range of planer-moulders. The company has on display four-head, five-head, fivehead easy-set and six-head planer-moulders ready to run – but if customers are looking for something more specific, AMS can sort that out, too. A good example was the Murdock Builders Merchants case – they needed a high-speed production line. They requested a seven-head, heavy-duty moulder – running up to 120m/

min, supported by a complete turnkey handling operation – and it was installed by AMS’ engineers. Paul from Murdock Builders says: “We were looking for a redesigned and quick setup, and we knew that AMS was a reliable company. When we contacted them, their team helped us quickly and professionally, no matter what the problem or question. They were taking care of sourcing and contracting of the handling. I didn’t have to deal with two companies – AMS handled everything for me.”

AMS was originally a service company that sells machines, and Leigh Freestone, from Seamers joinery in Derby, confirmed that he completely agrees: “The AMS service department is always ready to help.” Seamers joinery bought a six-head planer moulder to produce mouldings, window components, door components and much more. Leigh says: “We bought a machine from AMS because we needed a trusted and reliable planer-moulder in our new workshop to make our classical and intricate mouldings.

‘We were looking for a redesigned and quick setup, and we knew that AMS was a reliable company. When we contacted them, their team helped us quickly and professionally, no matter what the problem or question’ “Before we got our Wadkin Bursgreen sixhead planer moulder, we used to work with different machines to get the same result – the result being a longer setup. Now, with this new machine, we can be sure that every single moulding coming out will be the same – we are so happy with the machine, we have just ordered a second.” AMS has also developed, along with the manufacturer, special training courses to enable its engineers and its customers to use the machines confidently and speed up the setting process. AMS has spare parts and tooling available for all the moulders that it sells – because the most important part of the sale for AMS is to take care its customers after the purchase. 0844 844 9949 sales@advancedmachinery www.advancedmachinery.co.uk

Dust Extraction & Woodwaste Management Dutch filter installation builder Modesta was looking for a local partner to help it with UK-based projects, and found the right fit with Extraction Solutions in Sheffield. Together, they successfully installed a cascading fan system at the Images Kitchen and Bedroom factory in Chester.

Family businesses work together towards cleaner air With many projects in the UK and Ireland, Wyboud Kloppenburg, director at Modesta Filters in the Netherlands, found himself travelling back and forth regularly. In order to reduce the number of trips for both himself and his team of engineers, and to enable a faster service to clients on the other side of the sea, he was looking for an alternative solution. “That’s how, one day in 2016, when I was in the neighbourhood, I decided to give Extraction Solutions a call,” he explains. Wyboud picked up the phone to ask Neil Parkes, founder of Extraction Solutions (ESL), if he could come in. Half an hour later, he was having a coffee in Neil’s office. “His phone call came out of the blue, but I was very happy to hear from him because I’d seen Modesta equipment at work and was particularly impressed by how much energy they saved,” recalls Neil. Two family businesses Coming from over 50 years of combined experience, ESL founders Neil Parkes and Nick Wright had worked on over 100 installations together in their previous jobs. That is why they decided to join forces in 2012. Utilising Nick’s installation expertise and Neil’s extraction knowledge, they design and implement some of the best extraction and handling solutions available. ESL is a family business – both of the founder’s sons are active in the company as well. “I started

“For Modesta and ESL, this is only the start of a fruitful working relationship”

on-site, then I moved up into contracting and designing,” says James Parkes, design engineer. “Our biggest challenge at this moment is staying on top of the workload – despite all of the uncertainty around the pandemic, we have a lot of clients coming in. That’s why working together with the right partners is very important.” Neil adds: “We work for companies that deal with both high-waste and low-waste loads. In our portfolio, we didn’t have a clever solution yet for low waste environments such as woodworking factories, so Wyboud’s call came at exactly the right moment.” Like ESL, Modesta is a family company – Wyboud is the third generation working in the business. Having over 70 years of experience in the industry, Modesta designs and builds all of its installations in-house at its Dutch factory site. “Wyboud’s knowledge exceeds his age – he’s not just a salesperson, he really knows what he’s talking about,” says James. Wyboud, in turn, likes ESL’s knowledge of the market and its hands-on approach. He says: “They’re able to do their own engineering and maintenance, so they can really take the lead on a project.” After that first meeting, it was clear to both parties they were the right fit for each other. The first joint project Not long after that, the first opportunity for Modesta and ESL to join forces presented itself. Images, a kitchen and bedroom factory, was looking for a new filter unit. Neil says: “When I came back from my first meeting with Images, I said ‘I think this is prime Modesta territory’.” Images Kitchens and Bedrooms started out as a small made-to-measure mirror wardrobe factory in 1984. In over 35 years, the company has installed thousands of bedrooms and kitchens, and has grown into one of the largest independent manufacturers and retailers of fitted bedrooms and kitchens in the North West

Modesta director, Wyboud Kloppenburg

ESL family values: Neil (above) and James Parkes

››

56 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

and North Wales. With a split-level showroom in Chester and a large factory, ESL now employs over 20 staff. When Images contacted ESL over two years ago, the company was ready for a new extraction solution for its factory. Their old filter was consuming large amounts of energy and required a lot of maintenance. “It would drain a lot of power and blow the fuses. I was willing to invest in a new solution that would guarantee longevity and save us money in the long-run,” explains Images director Stephen Eyre. Reducing energy consumption Images’ old filter installation had only one fan, resulting in little flexibility and energy loss. Neil says: “That’s why I advised a Modesta Airlock filter with multiple cascading fans, that enables a factory to use only the capacity they need.” Images only uses the filter’s full capacity for a few weeks a year, so, thanks to the multiple fans, can turn on just a part of the installation in less busy times. It also protects the business against downtime, because if one fan has a defect, the other keeps working. “As it was our first project together, one of our engineers was on-site in case ESL had any

“It was a big investment for a small company like mine, but I’ve been saving a lot of money on electricity and my factory is cleaner. I’d recommend it” questions, but James, Nick, and Neil have done the lion’s share of the work,” says Wyboud. ESL carried out the installation over a bank holiday, and managed to get everything up and running within a week. Stephen is happy with the end result, and says: “I come in in the morning, I turn it on, and it always works. Honestly, as a factory owner, that’s all I’m interested in at the end of the day.” He has been using the new installation for over two years now, and has not experienced any downtime. “It was a big investment for a small company like mine,” he admits, “but I’ve been saving a lot of money on electricity and my factory is cleaner. I’d recommend it.” For Modesta and ESL, this is only the start of a fruitful working relationship. Neil states: “We’re looking to grow our business in the next few years. We actually just hired a new contract engineer to keep up with the workload, so we only see the collaboration with Modesta growing in the future.” www.modestafilters.com www.extractionsolutions.co.uk

RHI Approved

Wood ﬁred boilers from 110kW to 13000kW VISIT US ON STAND S810

…energy from wood MAWERA UK LTD PO Box 5581 Lichﬁeld, Staffordshire WS14 4FS Tel: +44 1524 325 8844 Fax: +44 845 280 1955 Email: info@mawera.co.uk www.mawera.co.uk

58 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Although a relative newcomer to the industry, the latest dust extraction company to be recognised as an Approved Ecogate Dealer and Installer is no stranger to the brand.

Extractly appointed as Ecogate® installer Extractly’s website includes online shopping for specialist equipment and parts, plus an online booking facility for LEV test appointments

Since Ecogate made its debut appearance at the W Exhibition in 2010, installations of the energy-saving technology have been well-documented by F&JP over the years. Developed and patented in the US by Ecogate Inc, the Windows PC-controlled system was introduced to the UK by brothers Philip and Chris Oldfield – former directors of Dust Control Systems (DCS), which was acquired a couple of years ago by Filtermist International. Chris Oldfield’s son, Jake Oldfield (pictured right), who started his dust extraction career as a DCS service engineer, before gravitating into engineering sales with DCS and latterly for Cades, established Extractly as a specialist online provider of equipment and parts for all aspects of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV). “The aim with Extractly was to satisfy a demand from professional extraction engineers as well as the self-installer,” says Jake. “Through the online shop, Extractly has the capacity to provide just about any item you could possibly need … whether that’s a pressure gauge, QuickFit ducting, filter media, or even a complete new filter unit. “We’ve been more than pleased with the performance of the online sales and distribution

side of the business, particularly through the pandemic,” Jake affirms, but also admits he has continued to hanker after the more hands-on aspects of the dust extraction business. He says: “DCS was truly a family business in every sense, and having been brought up with dust and extraction being discussed at most mealtimes and family gatherings, it could have either put me off for life, or provided the motivation to pursue a career in the industry – happily it was the latter!” From starting out as a supply-only business, the progression to installation, servicing and maintenance was a natural process for Extractly. “Much of the early work was routine servicing, or simple ductwork refits when a new piece of kit meant an alteration or extension of an existing system,” says Jake, “but it was frustrating to see so many workshops with extraction fans running all day long when we knew there was a better way of doing things that could not only benefit the owners’ bank accounts, but would benefit the environment at the same time.” Armed with a sound knowledge of the industry’s requirements for energy-saving systems, Extractly undertook a thorough evaluation of other technologies that had

arrived on the scene over the past decade, but determined that Ecogate was still the leader in its field. By minimising electricity consumption, an Ecogate system can easily cut power bills in half but, in addition, this automatically reduces the environmental footprint that a woodworking business makes, and Ecogate is fast becoming referred to as the ‘Sustainable Dust Extraction System’. In conclusion, Jake comments: “I’m delighted that Extractly is now an Approved Installer of Ecogate products – it’s a system that works just as well for the smallest workshop as it does for the largest manufacturing operations, and provides a positive benefit for our environment at the same time.” 01924 520462 www.extractly.co.uk

POR briquetting machines • Clean Air Strategy Approved Source of Energy • Machine Production Range 50 – 350kg per hour • Trial Machine Available • Go Green United Kingdom

Sole Distributor

A&G Toseland Ltd • T: 01536 414401 • M: 07837 632080 www.briquettetech.com • george@briquettetech.com

Wood waste disposal problems?

RANHEAT ENGINEERING LTD 62-64 St James Mill Road, St James Mill Industrial Estate, Northampton NN5 5JP Tel: +44 (0)1604 750005 Fax: +44 (0)1604 757300 Web: www.ranheat.com Email: sales@ranheat.com

Wood Combustion Equipment Industrial Heating Systems Specialist Metal Fabrications Ranheat design and manufacture the complete range of equipment including Boilers, Heaters, Stokers, Grit Arrestors, Chimneys etc. Manual & automatic woodburning systems, gas & oil ﬁred, turnkey installations for disposal and/or heating purposes, outputs up to 10 million BTU/HR

RanHeat275.indd 1

27/11/2017 14:54

60 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

A & G Toseland has launched its new website – www.briquettetech.com – which details the available range of POR Micucci briquetting machines and accessories.

New wesbite for briquetter firm The new site details the individual specifications and features of the nine briquetting machines in the range, and includes film of a machine in operation, producing briquettes from wood shavings and sander dust. The site will be regularly updated with case studies relevant to the joinery- and furnitureproducing sector, together with applications from other industries. The aim of the site is to assist potential customers with the correct machine selection to suit their particular type of waste stream and volume of production. The briquetting sector is likely to see significant growth over the next two to three years, in line with the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, which includes the banning of the burning and marketing of wet wood (moisture content over 20%) from early 2021 – wood briquettes are a suitable alternative, creating opportunities for the furniture and joinery sector to capitalise on a previously costly-to-dispose-of waste stream. www.briquettetech.com

61 extractly ad.qxp_Layout 1 17/11/2020 18:33 Page 1

LEV ...extractly how it should be If you’re in the market for a full new extraction system, needing an upgrade to accommodate new machinery, or your existing system is ready for a service, Extractly will tick all the boxes… From initial consultation, through to design, installation and

As an authorised dealer and installer of the Ecogate® energy-saving

commissioning, Extractly have the experience and know-how to

system and market-leading Nordfab Quick-Fit® ductwork, along with

provide the woodworking industry with a comprehensive dust

the widest choice of filter types and technologies available to us,

and fume extraction package.

we guarantee to provide the most suitable system for your needs.

To fully appreciate specific project requirements, identify potential

Extractly also deliver a wide-ranging maintenance service;

opportunities for system enhancements, and ensure we propose

Whether it’s an emergency breakdown. scheduled

the most appropriate and cost-effective solution, an experienced

maintenance plan, or replacement parts…

field engineer will undertake a full on-site evaluation.

we've got you covered.

Take advantage of our free site survey …contact us today to discuss your dust extraction maintenance or installation project

info@extractly.co.uk 01924 520462

1/2 page landscape.indd 1

11/03/2019 08:55

62 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Following a move to considerably larger premises and plans to grow the business in the coming years, commercial washroom fit-out and contract furniture manufacturer, Stevens Washrooms, has invested in a custom-built woodwaste extraction system from Leicester-based extraction specialist, Dustraction.

Dustraction – mover and shaker

“With over 20 years of experience behind us, we had a clear understanding of what we needed our new extraction system to do and what it needed to help us achieve,” begins Ian Stevens, MD of Stevens Washrooms. “The new extraction system had to be capable of working with nine woodworking machines, including multiple edgebanders, a CNC and a vertical panel saw, and be able to work efficiently if all machines were running at the same time. The design also needed to accommodate 25% extra capacity and be easily modified and extended if we were to expand our premises in the future. Noise levels and running costs were also key areas of consideration for us.” Following discussions with three extraction companies, it was Dustraction’s unique Dustrax No 27 BB Series tubular sock-type filtering system, complete with automatic shaker cleaning mechanism, that ticked the box for the Portsmouth-based manufacturer. “Not only did the system seem like the most comprehensive solution on paper, Dustraction’s customer service, clear understanding of our requirements and speedy response to our questions made for a winning formula,” says

Ian. “Within three days, the team had drawn up detailed plans of our new 8000ft2 premises, calculated the air volume required and offered us a competitively-priced solution that matched our brief perfectly.”

Designed and manufactured around Stevens Washrooms’ production requirements, Dustracton’s Dustrax No 27 BB Modular woodwaste filter is capable of working effectively with the total air volume required

“The new extraction system had to be capable of working with nine woodworking machines – including multiple edgebanders, a CNC and a vertical panel saw – and be able to work efficiently if all machines were running at the same time”

by the nine machines on site (approx 11,470m³/hr – 6750ft3/ min) and offers a filtration velocity of approximately 2.36m/min. Its modular, bolted construction also allows for the addition of further filter chambers, bagging base extensions and increased fan power if needed in the future. In addition, its automatic shakercleaning mechanism – which sees waste transferred into an enclosed bagging hopper via the main floormounted extraction fan set – and fully sequenced control panel designed for simple operation, means the new Dustrax extraction system offers high-performance, innovative technology and userfriendly functionality. Following the completion of socially distanced on-site surveys, the installation began on schedule. “We were fortunate enough to be able to carry on working from our existing premises while the new extraction system was being fitted,” explains Ian. “This not only reduced our downtime, but gave the engineers

more space and flexibility during the build. However, it also meant that they needed to be accurate when it came to the machine’s positioning. We couldn’t afford for our machines to be moved into their new home and not be up and running quickly. Dustraction’s engineers visited the site several times before the build began. Their due diligence paid off, and each stage of the fit-out went to plan.” Eight weeks on, and the company is expecting to see significantly reduced running costs in the next quarter. “In our old premises, we had five smaller extraction units placed around the factory floor, instead of all our machines running off a singular unit,” says Ian. “Each ran at 35A on three-phase. On start-up, our new Dustrax fan goes from 200A to just 37A in a matter of seconds. That’s how powerful and energy-efficient this system is. The near-silent running fan has also reduced noise levels. Even the shaker box is really quiet.” Ian adds: “Now settled into our new premises, we are running at

60% capacity. The unit is capable of growing with us, and so too is the new woodwaste extraction system. “Investing in key pieces of equipment like a new extraction system is never going to be an easy task – especially when you’re in the process of moving your entire manufacturing plant at the same time – but Dustraction was always on hand to help us. “I found them to be extremely upfront and open throughout our

journey, and because of this, we’ve build a lasting relationship with them. We plan on working together going forward, and we have an annual service plan in place with them. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to others looking to install a new extraction system, or those looking to improve an existing system. The whole team really has offered a great service.” 0116 271 3212 www.dustraction.co.uk

64 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Cambridge-based Coulson Building Group has built a strong reputation for high-class joinery stretching back for over 125 years.

Wood Waste Control provides extraction solution for Cambridge joinery business The service, provided from one of the most modern and wellequipped joinery departments in the East of England, is available for highly specialised individual projects, or as a complementary skill to its Building and Services departments. To ensure it maintains the highest environmental standards, Coulson has now invested almost £40,000 in a new dust and woodwaste extraction system which was designed, manufactured and installed by Wood Waste Control (Engineering). According to Coulson’s joinery manager Jon Nix, business has been going extremely well. “Our customers range from private individuals ordering, say, just a door, to £1m orders for commercial furniture and fittings from contractors and builders,” he says.

“We also carry out large public works, including on cathedrals and colleges. Our work is mostly in Cambridge, but also extends across East Anglia and sometimes to London.” The large joinery unit employs around 15 people and contains extensive milling facilities, a fouraxis CNC machine, saws, planing and spindle moulders, all working with a wide range of selected hard and soft woods. Jon adds: “Our extraction system was nearing the end of its life, and we looked at a number of suppliers and chose Wood Waste Control as the best option.” Wood Waste Control specified its WFS-13 2J silo filter, mounted on a frame outside the joinery workshop. All-new ducting connects machines to the filter, and the collected waste is then discharged through a rotary

Wood Waste Control has installed a new dust extraction system at the Cambridge-based Coulson Building Group

valve unit and dropped pressurefree directly into a skip container. Reg Gareppo, MD of Wood Waste Control, says: “This is a powerful and popular extraction solution with many configuration options, and some customers choose extraction to storage silos, closed containers or briquetting presses.” Jon continues: “This modern new system is much stronger and more robust than its predecessor, and meets all modern environmental standards. The installation went without problems, and the new system is performing well, doing everything we want it to do.” Wood Waste Control is one of the UK’s leading dust extraction

and heating equipment specialists for the woodworking industry. The company is based in Bourne End near High Wycombe, and has hundreds of successful waste extraction, processing and heating equipment installations across the UK, Europe, Russia and Africa. The family company manufactures its wide range of filters in the UK and supplies shredders, briquette presses, biomass heaters/boilers, plus quick-assemble and spiral ductwork, to enable it to offer solutions from simple standalone bagging units through to complex integrated systems. www.woodwastecontrol.co.uk

2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW 65

So how was this year for you? And what might we see next year? After a difficult 2020, what will the future look like for the furniture and joinery industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading suppliers? We asked how this year was going and what they could see for the year coming.

66 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Melanie Archbould

Palamatic Being Chesterfield-based, Palamatic is ideally located for distribution of its lifting and handling product to all parts of the UK and overseas. The company employs over 50 local people in a wide range of roles covering sales and marketing, design and project engineering, production and aftersales services. With 35 years’ experience, Palamatic is an expert in all areas of lifting and handling solutions including vacuum tube lifting systems, support gantries, automatic sackopening machinery and bespoke handling solutions for all manufacturing industries. The company also keeps a stock of spare parts for standard systems. Palamatic’s experienced staff are there to help at all stages, providing an end-to-end service, from sales enquiry through to aftersales services. The company also has an office and warehouse in North Carolina to help with enquiries and distribute lifters, parts and systems to its customers in the US. Over the years, Palamatic has built up strong relationships with a team of distributors all over the world, which represent the extensive range of products to their own customers. What makes your business stand out? “We bring the best we have to the table, inviting our experienced global partners to input into design,” explains Palamatic MD, Melanie Archbould. “We take advice and guidance from our fantastic supply chain team, and most importantly we always involve the customer and their operators along the way – both at their site and at our test plan facility. “Palamatic has been built on strong family foundations – led by the founders’ daughter who upholds these principles – whilst operating in a 21st century style. People are at the heart of everything Palamatic do – employees and their families, suppliers, and customers. “Palamatic is not one of the ‘big’ material handling equipment suppliers, but this is used to our advantage consistently.

It means that we can remain focused on developing new, unique and much-needed product solutions every year.” What has 2020 been like for Palamatic? Mirroring companies in all sectors, 2020 has been a year of challenges, beginning with the uncertainty of Brexit, and then the huge impact of Covid-19 on business and employees. “During this time, we have constantly reviewed and refreshed our working procedures to meet regulations,” says Melanie. “We are very proud of our fantastic team, who have kept employees and visitors safe whilst continuing to produce and service and keep customer equipment running throughout such a demanding time. “As a global supplier with a US office and distributors in all continents, we have constant contact with our customers in the UK and around the world. Over the Covid period, we have had daily communication where we have been able to check how people are managing – both from a business perspective and personally. “The period has introduced a new version of working which we have embraced, and will continue to use going forward in many areas. Teams meetings have taken over from face-toface, and where site sales visits haven’t been possible, we have worked with customers using a phone or other device that could show their working areas in order to provide quotations. In many ways, it has bought everyone closer together. “Our business supplying the woodworking industry has continued to be very busy. Many customers have had to increase their production to meet new demands, and have required lifting systems to make this possible. Upturns in applications have been for customers supplying to hospitals, schools, universities, helping businesses create new office layouts, and the increase in demand for house renovations. How would you describe Palamatic’s outlook for 2021? “During 2020, we have worked hard on a new website – available online now – and we are also implementing a new customer service system, which will be available soon, giving our customers access to service, spare parts and manuals, and ongoing recruitment, and partnerships,” explains Melanie. “We are strong believers in the apprenticeship scheme, with two having started in September and training at the AMRC centre in Rotherham. We also have a hefty recruitment drive to grow our team of engineers, fabrication and assembly fitters, which will help us grow the company and continue to offer our customers the personal service we pride ourselves on delivering. “In terms of products, we never stop developing new product, so, looking forward to 2021, we already have plans for our mobile range of lifting systems, cleanroom and also ATEX designs to suit dusty environments, and we are expanding production of our Uni-LITE range of systems for end-of-line, pick-and-place applications.” Concluding, Melanie says: “Overall, we are very optimistic about the future of the company going into the new year.” www.palamatic.com

2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW 67

SCM UK While unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic keeps developing and spreading, and the central and local governments continue to present new indications on how to behave and what we should or should not do, the world of the woodworking industry in reality continues to steam ahead with newfound energy and focus. We spoke to Gabriele de Col, MD of SCM UK, for his views … “Being it the outcome of a developed resilience, the hope for a vaccine and new treatments to return to a normal life, or just the construction and refurbishment market recovering from a few years of relative stability – 2020 is proving an incredibly dynamic and successful year from a commercial point of view for SCM and its dealer network,” states Gabriele. “Furthermore, the major projects, initially stalled, have returned to life with excellent prospects for 2021. “Because of this favourable situation, SCM UK is working flat-out through the logistic difficulties to guarantee our customers continuity in deliveries of new machinery and spare parts, technical support for installations, repairs, maintenance, training and advice for new equipment purchases or complete reorganisation of the workflow for new production investments. “SCM UK has added new resources, especially in the areas of service and general machinery management. Great focus was also put on training to adapt the skills to the new functionalities provided on all SCM product lines. “Technological innovation, digital factory and all-round support services to the customer are SCM’s primary objectives. Today, more than ever, SCM aims to continue remaining at the side of all industry professionals with its Smart&Human Factory, as well as technologies and state-ofthe-art software and digital services, which are being further strengthened in these delicate times,” says Gabriele. “The ‘R-Evolution’ that SCM product supply is constantly going through has projected our solutions to a higher level

in terms of functionalities and data management, both fundamental to Industry 4.0 implementation. “Practical demonstrations, training and optimisation of maintenance and assistance activities continue even remotely, thanks to the IoT Maestro Connect platform. Designed and developed to meet the needs of Industry 4.0 production, it provides instant access to a wide range of services, to allow woodworking operators to be flanked and supported by the SCM team, even in ‘virtual’ mode. “Above all the digital services, what stands out is the Smartech augmented reality (AR) assistance – thanks to a wearable computer and a specific control software, SCM experts can diagnose and solve problems in real-time. Smartech incorporates video, camera, microphone and loudspeaker functions with wireless connection. This ensures hands-free, two-way communication with interactive data sharing. “The eye-M widescreen and multitouch operator’s panel can be found on most of our new CNC-controlled machinery and it is granting ever-improving functionalities. These allow remote diagnostics and data collection, giving SCM engineers a quicker and deeper support on fault-finding, also allowing customers to download and analyse their own production and machinery data to foresee productivity improvement opportunities, incoming issues or a need for service visits. “Last but not least, thanks to our e-Campus platform, the training and all-round service offered to clients are further enhanced, with increasingly more personalised courses based on the specific individual needs of companies in the woodworking industry.” In conclusion, depsite challeneing conditions in many ways, Gabriele’s mindset is very positive: “The Covid-19 pandemic might not be easily defeated, but we are dealing with it, and we look forward to a successful 2021,” he concludes. www.scmgroup.com

68 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

TM Machinery 2020 has been a challenging and turbulent year for everyone but with the construction and manufacturing sectors continuing to operate effectively during the pandemic, TM Machinery has seen a marked upswing in business. “To date, we’ve seen a very rapid descent followed by a pretty decent recovery,” says Matt Pearce, managing director of TM Machinery Sales and TM Services. “For us, one of the biggest challenges was to know the right time to get back to work following the first national lockdown. We were fortunate enough to be able to pay our employees in full during the initial furlough period but the team was keen to get back to work. We needed to balance their desire to work with the need to keep them safe. When customers like B&Q and Selco reopened, it was a clear indication that it was the right time for us to implement our new Covid-secure operation and get our sales and servicing division fully re-opened.” By July, TM Machinery’s servicing department was back to levels seen before the pandemic. Machinery sales soon followed, with September being exceptionally busy. Matt says: “We found that companies weren’t looking to replace their machinery quite so frequently as before but those with

TM SERVICES WOODWORKING MACHINERY EXPERTS SINCE 1983

plans to expand their machinery range, increase production or undergo new projects were still keen to invest in good quality machinery. “This meant that the majority of our sales have been from existing customers looking to increase the number of machines they had, or new businesses looking to invest in their very first vertical panel saw or dust extraction unit.” Matt continues: “I wouldn’t be so bold as to predict continual growth in the coming months and I’m under no illusion that the next 12 months won’t bring new challenges but as a whole, the manufacturing sector is resilient and its clear that, with manufacturing and construction companies still able to operate successfully during these difficult times, the need to invest in high quality machinery is still as crucial today as it was before the pandemic. This makes me reasonably optimistic for 2021 and, with plans for growth still very much alive in the industry, I’m confident sales will remain strong going forward. “Looking back at 2020, it’s been a year filled with challenges but it’s also come with its fair share of positive messages too. It’s shown me how dedicated the TM team is and how adaptable we are as a business. “Thanks in part to a cloud-based software package installed 18 months ago, the transition between office and home working has been fairly straightforward and its allowed us to work effectively throughout the pandemic and continue to offer our customers a high level of customer service. “It’s also been fantastic to see our customers pull together and work with us to operate a Covid-secure operation. This has shown a real sense of togetherness, as we all do our bit to tackle the spread of the virus. For me, 2020 has confirmed just how robust TM Machinery and TM Services are and how resilient this industry is. Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2021!” 0116 271 7155 www.tmmachinery.co.uk

Continuing to support SMEs with Asset Refinance Close Brothers Asset Finance remain ‘open for business’, supporting SMEs with critical finance solutions. Access the value held in your assets, using this to purchase new equipment or ease cash flow in other areas of your business. Uninterrupted use of your asset Extend the term on an existing agreement with another lender Give your business a cash injection to ease cash flow Make faster decisions in uncertain times

Speak to us today – our experts are always here to support you! 01244 458153 www.closeasset.co.uk/supporting

Close Brothers Asset Finance is a trading style of Close Brothers Limited. Close Brothers Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company Number 00195626) and its registered office is 10 Crown Place, London, EC2A 4FT.

Modern Merchant Banking

70 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Jos Hormes

Modecor Modecor is a leading manufacturer and exporter of CPL and HPL laminates at its factory in Saudi Arabia, which operates according to EU norms with all required quality certifications such as FSC, ISO 9001, etc. Furniture & Joinery Production asked the sales manager at Modecor International, Jos Hormes, for his thoughts regarding this year’s challenges and his hopes for 2021 …

What makes your business stand out? We are a flexible company so we can answer our customers’ questions and demands quickly and efficiently. Because of the short lines of communication, personal contact and our contacts with the European suppliers, we can offer a wide range of interior products. Digital printing on HPL has no secrets for Modecor – and because we are working with our own European designer, our customers enjoy direct contact regarding the requested decor and structure. How would you summarise 2020 for your firm? Although it has been a tough year, we are satisfied that production has been maintained at the necessary levels. We even invested in new decors, called the New Face Collection from Modecor, which offers over 60 new decors and a lot of new textures. Take a look at www.modecor.info for more. Tell us about future developments and ambitions for 2021? We will try to keep the service level high by developing new decors and textures, and by sending out requested samples really fast. We will also present online webinars and invest more and more in the co-operation between developing and final product. A new service will also be the introduction of edges up to 104mm in width. www.modecor.info

SAFETY | STORAGE | EFFICIENCY

+353 47 80500

COMBILIFT.COM

72 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Natalie Davenport

Häfele UK “The word ‘unprecedented’ has become synonymous with the year 2020,” says Natalie Davenport, head of marketing at Häfele UK. “But actually, that description doesn’t even scratch the surface. The last 12 months, and the ramifications of Covid-19, have arguably been the single biggest challenge this sector – and many others – have ever faced, and will hopefully ever face again. “We consider ourselves an agile business, and one which can adapt to support our customers. So, it became obvious early into the pandemic that it was almost our duty to focus on services and products which would make it easier for manufacturers and installers to get back to business as efficiently and as soon as possible. “We spoke to customers across the country to understand the new challenges they were facing in terms of new ways of working, costs, supply and demand and more. Then we considered how we could bring together and refine some of our own services to make a real difference to their operations during those truly difficult days of early lockdown,” says Natalie. “In response to the pandemic and our customers’ needs, we launched Häfele Here to Help, a dedicated package of support for our industry. The programme was designed to help installers, joiners and manufacturers to increase sales and enquiries, as well as deliver projects on time and to budget, despite the financial, operational and logistical challenges presented by the pandemic. “As well as offering price freezes on our products and extended free delivery, we also amalgamated several valueadded services. Our free-of-charge Lighting Design Service, and Häfele to Order – our bespoke, made-to-order manufacturing service that allows customers to order personalised packed and assembled products for their project – were, and still are, on offer, along with a newly launched technical specification support programme for sliding door gear. “The ultimate aim was to give installers and manufacturers all the technical elements they needed to access the right hardware, materials and specification to support customers

who needed to continue to work to keep up with orders and projects, by making our processes as efficient as possible,” says Natalie. “And it transpires this was very much welcomed by the industry, because the demand was there and it continues to grow. The lockdown forced homeowners to stay inside their properties, and the result was that many started thinking of all the things they could do to improve their spaces. “The niggling parts of their homes, which they could live with when they weren’t confined to it 24 hours a day, were no longer niggles – they needed resolving. And with many having more disposable cash due to a decrease in commuting, socialising and travelling, the most sensible option was to reinvest it into their home. “Order books started filling up quickly – some of our customers found themselves booked up well into 2021 as early as August 2020, and the trend hasn’t slowed since,” confirms Natalie. “Despite very gloomy initial forecasts, the home improvement industry – and kitchen sector particularly – has done better than expected. And this has been further supported by Government initiatives which have ensured the manufacturing and construction industries can continue to function, with them having acknowledged the key role both play in the rebuilding of the economy and job creation. “What’s been an interesting movement, is the increased focus on the configuration of internal spaces. It’s no longer enough to improve the face of a room – consumers are increasingly interested in using furniture, fixtures and fittings to make spaces work harder for them, today and into the future. “It’s partly because our homes became – without warning – much more multi-functional than they ever needed to be before, when we were told to immediately work, educate, exercise and socialise at home,” points out Natalie. “As a result, the need for a dedicated home office space became – and still is – a pressing issue for much of the UK’s working population. The dining table was a fine temporary measure, but people quickly became tired of sore backs, disturbed video calls and a lack of distinction between the work and home environment. “In turn, joiners saw, and are still seeing, an upsurge in requests for clever adaptations to rooms that help create the perfect office area, whatever footprint is available. Whether it’s a home that’s restricted on space, one where a worker needs a dedicated area for a day or two a week, or a larger property with a room that can be updated to create a more spacious office to work from every day, joiners are being called on to add value with really creative ideas. “Sliding doors, for example, are being used to break up and reconfigure existing rooms to give homeowners a dedicated working area without sacrificing space elsewhere in the home. Meanwhile, multifunctional fittings such as tabletop swivel fittings – which double up as a sideboard and L-shaped workstation – are being fitted to create temporary desks which are also useful for other residents outside of working hours.

“There has also been an increased focus on storage within properties, with installers being tasked to create useful areas in formerly ‘dead space’ within homes, to prevent a build-up of clutter which comes naturally with more people being at home, for more hours of a day. “Additionally, homeowners on a budget have been hiring installers to make small changes which spruce up a space and give it a new lease of life to improve their mental wellbeing. As well as a lick of paint, they’re changing door handles, replacing worktops, updating hinges and retrofitting lighting to their furniture to complete low-cost upgrades. “Lighting, traditionally, has been an area that joiners steer away from, but thanks to innovation in this area – and a new willingness from tradespeople to add new strings to their bow to keep their order book full – it’s becoming easier to provide. “This year has seen three life-changing things take place – a major climate emergency, social and economic rising and, of course, the pandemic. In combination, they have given us the ability to slow down and think about the things we want in our life. Humans are very adaptable creatures – we can change easily, but we don’t necessarily like to.”

‘For Häfele, a major focus in 2021 will be continuing to empower installers, joiners and manufacturers to help their customers achieve the changes they want to make in their homes’ Looking forward to next year, Natalie says: “For Häfele, a major focus in 2021 will be continuing to empower installers, joiners and manufacturers to help their customers achieve the changes they want to make in their homes. “The pandemic has reinforced how we all live in unique circumstances – no-one’s life is the same, and therefore everyone needs different things from their properties. Products and services which enable that will continue to be in demand in 2021, especially as so many businesses have committed to permitting home working for an extended period of time – even if that goes beyond an effective Covid-19 vaccine being developed and made available across society. “For Häfele, collaboration, being adaptive and putting our customers first has never been more important. And as the long-term impact of Covid-19 continues to emerge into 2021, we’re committed to working with manufacturers and installers to understand what we can bring the market to support them – because whether it’s technical, specification or design support, we want to be a true extension of their team. “Just as, in the same way, consumers need joiners and installers to be part of their team – they want their homes to bring joy, and we’ll be doing everything we can to make the manufacturing industry central to that.” www.hafele.co.uk

74 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Pete Sartain

Mirka UK Mirka is a world leader in abrasive technology, offering some of the most sought-after abrasives, and exemplary tools. Offering a complete range of technically superior, high-quality coated abrasives on net, foam, paper, nonwoven and cloth, Mirka’s abrasives are available as discs, strips, sheets, rolls and belts. In terms of tools, the Mirka Power Tools division develops and manufactures advanced, ergonomic and lightweight sanding machines that provide a total sanding solution and deliver real benefits to customers. Mirka’s tool range consists of electric and pneumatic sanding machines, polishing machines, hand blocks and dust extractors, along with equipment for sanding walls and ceilings. The company also provides a wide selection of Mirka accessories to complement its extensive range of abrasives, polishes and tools. Combining the aforementioned products, together with innovative and high-tech, easy-to-use, step-by-step processes, Mirka’s customers will, and do, reap real benefits, by using total system solutions. The company’s concept of dust-free sanding, combined with effective surface finishing solutions, has replaced traditional sanding methods in many industries. Regarding the challenging year coming to a close soon, and looking forward to next year, F&JP spoke with Pete Sartain,

national sales manager – industrial, of Mirka UK. “Mirka’s success is founded on a company culture that aims to constantly seek out new challenges and apply creative thinking to generate continuous improvement and unique solutions. “The cornerstone is an intensive research and development programme and the commitment of talented staff across all areas of the business. This has resulted in the development of revolutionary abrasive technology and the creation of groundbreaking new coatings production processes and a new generation of ergonomic and lightweight electric sanders. How would you summarise 2020? “Driven by innovative products that challenge the current marketplace, Mirka has seen impressive historical growth in sales to the wood sector, and 2020 will be no exception to this. It is reassuring to be working for a market leader with core values that allow us to ride the storm, so to speak.” What has surprised, pleased or disappointed you about how your business has reacted or adapted to the myriad challenges this year? “In the words of Joseph Kennedy, immortalised in the song by Billy Ocean, ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ Mirka has always believed that success is led by people. “Our vice president Simon Bloxham once said at a meeting: ‘If you want to know what makes Mirka great, look in the mirror every morning. You are the face of the company and represent everything about us.’ “The defining measure of any company is not how it performs in times of growth and prosperity – it’s easy to grow in a growing market. What defines a company is how it performs in challenging years such as 2020. The resilience and general positive can-do attitude of our team here at Mirka inspires me on a daily basis. “We all have our heroes during Covid-19 – Captain Sir Tom Moore, the NHS staff and thousands of other key workers. But we often forget the people around us, our work colleagues, without whom the wheels of our business would stop turning. Rapid growth in our business in the last decade has meant many changes and challenges, yet the team at Mirka is used to adapting to change, and 2020 is no exception. Can you tell us about future developments and your ambitions for 2021? “Utilising the latest coating technology, Mirka’s R&D team is currently working on new products across the range to offer innovative finishing solutions to the marketplace. “Wide-belt sanding will form part of this. With the exception of Mirka’s Ultimax range, new product development has been limited from all suppliers, but it’s now time for a change, and the product range currently being developed will not only meet the challenges of the new sanding machine technology, but will also deliver on the new sanding substrates being used by our customers. It’s an exciting time – watch this space.” www.mirka.com

2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW 75

David Sanders

Blum UK 2020 seems, in retrospect, to be a year of four quarters. Up to and including March, saw a hive of industry in our business with KBB Birmingham dominating out thoughts. There was a real buzz of positivity and excitement, we had invested a great deal of time and effort into our stand and were looking forward to showcasing it to the industry. Of course we all know that, by the build-up for the show on the first weekend of March, coronavirus was proving to be more than “just the flu” that we had all supposed, and a bit of doubt and anxiety was starting to set in. The second quarter was completely dominated by the unprecedented fact of closing our business, even including the logistics side. We managed to stay open to send out the final few orders, but after that, like every other business in the UK, apart from essential ones of course, we followed the Government instructions and closed our doors. We were closed for a full five weeks, and then slowly opened up one day at a time, until, by the end of June we were back to full operation. The third quarter showed an explosion of activity, which

is its own way was almost as difficult to deal with. We are all familiar with the fact that homeowners, denied the ability to go on holiday, decided to renovate their homes. So, the super-quick and forceful recovery led to a wall of demand from our customers. At present, in the fourth quarter, we are still dealing with the challenge of such exceptional demand. Luckily the limitations of this second lockdown are not as rigorous as the first, so we have been able to keep our business fully operational. Summarising, I think we could describe 2020 as the definition of feast and famine. Looking forward to the first quarter of 2021, we don’t anticipate any drop in demand. Like everyone in our industry, the feast and famine has bought supply problems, and there are certain product lines that are challenging to say the least. Nevertheless, I’m extremely optimistic that 2021 will be better than 2020. 01908 285700 www.blum.com

76 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Werner Berens and Michael Lambert

Vecoplan The consequences of Covid-19 is very serious, presenting many companies with major challenges in 2020. However, Vecoplan AG has been able to continue with its successful development. The business of the leading supplier of machines and systems that shred, convey and process primary and secondary raw materials in the production and materials cycle is currently running as profitably as in the previous year – and after the first half of the year, revenue was even at the previous year’s level. Reason enough to continue to invest in production modernisation and personnel. “Despite Covid-19, our business is still very stable since we’re working through a high backlog of orders. One reason for these orders is our development offensive and the resulting product launches of recent months,” says Werner Berens, CEO of the Vecoplan Group. Having listened to the market as always, the future-oriented company from Germany’s Westerwald region developed and marketed machines to match demands. These new developments have expanded Vecoplan’s product portfolio, enabling the company to provide its customers with comprehensive support even in very difficult applications. This in turn leads to a continuously high number of requests. “However, there will be a time lag in the recovery of incoming orders, because although the demand for Vecoplan machines is enormous, many companies are taking their time over final investment decisions due to the uncertainty of the current situation,” says Michael Lambert, CFO of the Vecoplan Group. The company’s goal of increasing added value for its customers as well as the strong demand for its products

Werner Berens: “Our business remains very stable despite Covid-19 Michael Lambert: “We still expect markets to fully recover – and that’s why we’re continuing to invest in the training and further education of our employees.”

were key factors in Vecoplan’s decision to invest several million Euro in the further modernisation of its production, even in these difficult times. The company intends to use this investment to build up capacities and optimise processes. Vecoplan will invest the lion’s share of the capital in the production of shredding technology and around a third of it in conveying and storage technology. The subsidiary in North Carolina, USA has already invested around 10% for the mobile shredding business. “Thanks to these investments, we can continue to meet the demands of the various markets,” says Berens. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, Vecoplan has been able to avoid measures such as short-time work, job cuts and shut-downs. “We still expect the markets to fully recover, so we’re continuing to invest in the training and further education of our employees – and we’ll even be greatly expanding our workforce,” says Michael. The Westerwald company has also strengthened its service division in recent months with ten new employees. www.vecoplan.com

Vecoplan’s VHZ wood shredder is a durable and robust shredding solution designed for the wood processing industry

2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Simon Brooks

Homag UK “This year has been a challenging time for both our customers and the industry,” explains Simon Brooks, MD of Homag UK. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been fortunate that the majority of the woodworking industry has stayed busy and operational. “Our customers have done a sterling job adapting to the requirements of the pandemic. During the year, we have seen many companies producing a variety of vital products for the NHS and other supporting services. As a result, our customers have relied heavily on us, even through the initial lockdown period, to ensure their machinery and software continue to perform at maximum capacity. “To meet our customers’ demands, Homag UK has worked relentlessly to make sure we are always available to service any issues or spare part requirements. Our team has remained resilient whilst working through the most difficult of times, to ensure that we have had no closures or restrictions to our service and sales departments. It is with an enormous amount of satisfaction that we can say that whilst the world stood still, Homag has stood firmly by its customers. “Our manufacturing plants have not missed a beat producing new machinery, parts and services throughout these unpredictable times. Despite the challenges that

the year has brought us, our order books have remained strong, and we are delighted to see the continuing demand for live machinery demonstrations at our Castle Donington headquarters. “In both the UK offices and showroom, we’ve had to adapt our processes to meet social distancing obligations. Everyone in the Homag UK team has acted responsibly despite the challenging circumstances. I, for one, am extremely proud of how they have overcome any constraints to ensure our service remains at the same high level for each and every one of our customers. Socially distanced machining with Homag “Here at Homag UK, we’re optimistic that 2021 will be a positive year. We will continue to improve our processes and adapt to the new way of working to benefit our customers. “The Homag range offers machinery options for a wide variety of tasks that improve manufacturing efficiencies. The majority of these have been designed to enable singlehanded operation, making them ideal for meeting social distancing guidelines. With these solutions, manufacturers can maintain production levels whilst safeguarding personnel – something which is vitally important in these troubled times. A promising and innovative 2021 “As always, the Homag Group is planning lots of innovative developments and additions for our machinery and software portfolio for next year. Our parent company in Germany will continue to produce powerful machinery for manufacturers of all sizes – whether it is entry level, batch size one or mass production processes. “At Homag UK, we’re looking forward to the new year with excitement and anticipation. We can’t wait to showcase our innovations for 2021 and once again host open houses, attend exhibitions and welcome visitors to explore the Homag range. We fully expect to see the UK’s fantastic woodworking industry make its post-Covid-19 comeback next year,” concludes Simon. www.homag.com

Homag’s Loopteq return systems turn edge banders into automated cells for one-man operation

The Homag Centateq-210 – high performance and easy handling in a compact footprint

Martin McVicar

Combilift In common with many businesses, the Irish manufacturer of handling solutions Combilift will be relieved to see the back of this year, and hopes for better things in 2021! But there were a few highlights in 2020, and Combilift delivered on its reputation for innovation in more ways than one. When Covid-19 was still considered to be a problem confined to certain regions of China, members of the Combilift team were heading to Hannover for the audit stage of the IFOY (International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year) 2020 Award. Combilift was the only manufacturer to gain two nominations for this award – the Combi-CBE4 forklift and the Combi-CS pedestrian counterbalance stacker were both finalists in their categories. They underwent thorough checks by industry experts and journalists from international media for qualities such as design, innovation, ergonomics, safety and sustainability. The results were announced in a virtual event in July, with the Combi-CS being declared the winner in the Warehouse Truck Lowlifter Category. “The trophy will jostle for space amongst the many other industry awards that Combilift has won since the company was established 22 years ago,” says a spokesperson. As the pandemic spread, Combilift drew on its expertise in engineering and software design to develop the CombiVentilate, a splitter device which turns one ventilator into multiple ventilation stations. This non-profit endeavour was aimed at addressing the lack or shortage of ventilators in the health service. This move was widely praised by clinicians such as Dr Michael Power, national clinical lead, Critical Care Programme, Irish health service, who said: “The CombiVentilate is a valuable attachment for ventilators, it costs a fraction of a standard ventilator and can be installed easily into an ICU unit environment. This project is an example of collaboration between the engineering and manufacturing industry and the Health Service Executive (HSE).” It became obvious over time that although companies were getting back to business, the need for social distancing would be around for the foreseeable future. Combilift’s team of design engineers turned their attention to the manufacturing sector, which faced the challenge of how to get back to normal output levels while creating extra space in production areas, enabling employees to maintain safe distances from each other. Combilift’s site-survey and free warehouse layout service became a virtual one, using video calling apps to view areas that may be in need of space optimisation. Combilift’s animations and 3D designs show how to achieve a substantial increase in storage capacity by maximising the production areas – which is where profit is made – while reducing the space for storage of raw materials and finished products, which engenders costs. By optimising both these areas, companies can comply with safety requirements while maintaining output, says Combilift.

“The year has definitely not turned out quite as we had expected”, says Combilift CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar, “but I like to think we were able to transfer our skills in providing safer handling equipment to help out other sectors. Our order books and recent sales figures also indicate that 2021 will be a good year for us, and as soon as trade fairs can resume we look forward to meeting all our contacts in person once again.” For 2021, the focus on safety in general and in the handling sector in particular will be a lasting by-product of the pandemic, so reducing risk will continue to be a key concern. From Combilift’s point of view, this means that demand for any MHE that guarantees a safer working environment – such as its range of products – will grow. Another major issue for warehousing and logistics operations is the soaring growth of ecommerce. According to the Office for National Statistics, online sales in the UK in July 2020, as a percentage of total retail sales, was 28.1%, compared to 18.7% during the same period last year. This represents an almost +50% increase YoY. Online sales are unlikely to drop back to pre-Covid levels – they are more likely to increase – so warehousing space will continue to be at an all-time premium. Users of handling equipment will therefore be looking for products that enable maximum use of this very valuable commodity. “In spite of the circumstances this year, we have seen an increase in orders for the past month compared with the same period in 2019, which bears this out,” explains Martin. “On a personal level, I hope that a vaccine will be developed so that life can go back to whatever normal may look like. From a business point of view, I am also looking forward to welcoming visitors back to our factory and attending trade fairs once they can safely be resumed. “These have always been a major framework for demonstrating our products, and I hope for example that we can be at both Ligna and W21 next year to show the innovations that we continually develop for the furniture, joinery and timber sectors.” www.combilift.com

Combi-Ventilate, a splitter device which turns one ventilator into multiple ventilation stations

80 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Dan McGinty

AAG In spite of the unprecedented negative impact on most businesses in the UK and Ireland caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020 has proved a seminal year in the evolution of Telford-based AAG. Far from facing a period of virtual stagnation, as experienced by many companies, the newly branded AAG has seen stability in growth, driven by new product innovations, increased market diversification and an expanded customer base. AAG became the new and more readily identifiable name for AXYZ Automation Group. This was triggered by a new company acquisition in 2019, the need for greater automation in the workplace and a desire to better reflect the group’s wider capabilities as a result of an expanded and more diverse product portfolio and radically enhanced customer support facilities. Central to this was the earlier acquisition by AAG’s parent company in Canada of the North America-based WARDJet, a specialist in waterjet cutting technology. In consequence, this has enabled the opening and future development of new markets, and in particular those for which traditional CNC routing/cutting machines are considered to be less suited. AAG’s director of sales and business development (EMEA), Dan McGinty, comments: “The total rebranding, restructuring and repositioning of AAG has served to indicate how far the company, and in particular the AXYZ brand, has grown over the past 30 years, and the pioneering contribution it has made to the wider adoption of CNC machining technology. “Supporting the rebrand is a visually stronger and more distinctive three-dimensional dual-colour logo and a more apposite mission statement.” To quote a former president of AAG, “the name of the company may have changed but its core values and objectives remain the same.” Key developments that have taken place in 2020 include the introduction of upgraded versions of the AXYZ Infinite multi-purpose CNC routing/cutting and AXYZ Trident hybrid finishing systems, a total revamp of AAG’s CNCShop online

The AXYZ Infinite multi-purpose CNC routing/cutting

ecommerce division, a series of customer-focused product demonstration webinars, and a continuation of the financially compelling machine trade-in programme. These were supplemented during the Covid-19 pandemic with the creation of a Fabrication Fighting Covid-19 initiative, through which fabricated plastic safety shields and face masks and associated PPE equipment were made available nationwide. The AXYZ Infinite machine, in particular, now incorporates a number of new design features of benefit to industrial woodworking, furniture and joinery production and panel processing companies. Among the most notable of these are: a more efficient dust extraction system, to eliminate problems associated with clogging of the machine, thus minimising machine downtime; a new misting system for enhanced machine cooling and lubrication; an expanded processing bed to accommodate larger sheet processing requirements; and a new carriage design for easier and faster machine maintenance. AAG has also announced the launch of the new Innovator smaller-format CNC routing/cutting machine, to replace the existing Z Series. It provides a high-performance-to-cost capability in comparison to any other entry-level machine in its class, and is packed with performance-enhancing features normally found on much larger and more expensive machines, states AAG. Following a total revamp of the CNCShop online facility, AAG customers now have faster and easier 24/7 access to a radically expanded range of essential spare parts, accessories and consumables for all AXYZ and WARDJet machines. It is also possible for customers to now engage with one-to-one consultations involving AAG technical engineers, to ensure that the products selected are the most appropriate for a given application. 01952 291600 www.axyz.co.uk

2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW 81

Carl O’Meara

J & C O’Meara J & C O’Meara was established in 1990 by father-and-son team Joseph O’Meara and Carl, having previously worked for many years as service and installation engineers to the woodworking industry. The company’s original activities were based around the service, maintenance and installation of industrial woodworking machinery, but soon evolved to also include purchasing used machinery. As the new millennium approached, and with the introduction of the PUWER 98 safety regulations, the company adapted to include the sales of new machinery, and at the time became an authorised stockist and distributor for a number of agencies including Altendorf, Casadei and Sedgwick. In 2003 the company moved to a larger, modern warehouse unit. In 2005, an agreement was reached to work alongside Swiss sanding specialist Kündig, where J & C O’Meara would adopt and independently run the UK subsidiary and expand sales activities by appointing a number of regional dealerships to offer better and more localised access to the Kündig products. 2007 was quite a turning point for the company, which initiated a greater level of independence, and instead of acting solely as an agency and regional distributor, started to import its own range of machinery, introducing the Genisis products to the UK. Today, the company is run by brother and sister team Carl and Karen O’Meara, and has naturally adapted over time and expanded the sales activities of both J & C O’Meara and Kündig throughout the UK. Not only does the company have a series of strong products in its portfolio – from sliding table panel saws to CNC machines – it still has the same grassroots family approach to both the business and dealing with customers. As Carl says: “At times, the larger companies can be a little too corporate, and they forget who the customer really is. We listen to what the customer needs and only offer equipment that is right for them. “We support them both during and after the sales process, and always strive to meet – and regularly exceed –customers’

expectations. “2020 was meant to be the time we celebrated 30 years in business, and we were looking forward to a series of promotions along with new product launches, as well as meeting clients new and old at the 2020 W Exhibition. How very differently things turned out! “I don’t think anyone really knew what to do, or what to expect, as we were all in uncharted territory – and I don’t think anyone was properly prepared for what turned out to be a rollercoaster of a year,” says Carl. “We locked down the factory in March, but I made sure I was always available to support manufacturers who worked through that difficult period, and always made sure any parts and consumables were readily available and dispatched, along with organising service activities during that time. For the next three months, there was an air of caution and uncertainty. “In June, as the industry kickstarted, there was a surge in enquiries, which gathered momentum, followed by a complete turnaround and upturn, with many taking advantage of the financial incentives to assist industry – and, as of today, having been busy for the latter half of the year, we are still cautiously optimistic looking ahead to 2021,” says Carl. “Over the last 30 years we have seen many changes within the industry and have guided the company through two recessions by facing those challenges head-on – not only on a day-to-day basis, but also with a long-term view. This same approach has been taken whilst dealing with the pandemic. I believe it is not only important to consider the ‘here and now’, but to also keep an optimistic eye on what the future may hold. We are, of course, hoping manufacturing continues to flourish, and in turn our company will continue to support the industry.” Concluding, Carl reports: “Looking forward, we have some exciting plans for 2021 which we have been working on for the last three years – more of this will be revealed in the coming months.” www.ukwoodworkingmachinery.co.uk

82 2020 REVIEW : 2021 PREVIEW

Realising asset finance options During normal times numerous business owners grapple with the question about what happens if the cash tap is turned off; the Covid-19 crisis has thrown this into sharp relief and made this possibility a certainty for many.

When this happens, the options available to business owners can appear to be stark – pull down the shutters and maybe start again when, or if, things return to normal; go to your lender and ask for a payment holiday or apply for further loans to cover costs and hope for the best. Or, you could take a step back and look to your physical business assets to prove their worth in ways you may not have thought possible. For many years, during good times and bad, business owners have increasingly turned to asset finance to help them maintain cash flow. But what is asset finance? In short, it’s an alternative form of funding used by businesses to obtain the equipment they need to grow or access much-needed cash. Asset finance makes the otherwise unaffordable affordable because it gives businesses access to the equipment they need without incurring the cash flow disadvantage of an outright purchase. Agreements can also be customised to the business’s needs, with flexibility on both the term and repayment schedule. There are various products that come under the broad umbrella of asset finance with one of the key ones being Refinancing or capital release, as it’s also known; it’s a proven way to make your assets work for you and release cash back into the business. It’s pretty straightforward and works by the finance company purchasing the asset and financing it back to you, with repayments calculated in line with the income the asset is

expected to generate; at the end of the refinance term, you own the asset. This offers several great benefits to a business that just needs a cash injection, whether it’s for investment in additional business critical assets or to use in other areas of the business, including unexpected bills and invoices, salaries, VAT payments, diversification – the uses are almost endless. We can also look to take over a finance agreement with another provider and extend the term, ultimately reducing monthly payments and easing the pressure on cash flow. Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) Since being confirmed as an accredited CBILS lender by the British Business Bank, we have used the Government-backed scheme to help multiple firms in a range of different ways, including management buy-outs, equipment purchase, and finance agreement restructures aimed at releasing working capital. Other examples of asset finance products are: • Hire Purchase (HP) allows the customer to buy the equipment on credit. The finance company purchases the asset on behalf of the customer and owns the asset until the final instalment is paid, at which point the customer is given the option to buy it. • Finance lease: The full value of the equipment is repaid to the finance company, plus interest, over the lease period. At the end of the term, the company can choose to: – continue to use the asset by entering a

secondary rental period – sell the asset and keep a portion of the income from the sale – return it • Operating lease: Similar to a Finance Lease, an Operating Lease allows you to rent the asset from us while you need it. The key difference between the two is that an Operating Lease is only for part of the asset’s useful life. This means you pay a reduced rental because the cost is based on the difference between the asset’s original purchase price and its residual value at the end of the agreement. Why Close Brothers asset finance? We are the largest, most successful and longest-established asset finance funder in the UK with over 30 years’ experience working with SMEs through all economic cycles – the fact is, there’s very little we haven’t seen or experienced, although the current crisis is proving to be the exception to the rule. That said, our approach to helping new and existing customers remains unchanged. Our team of manufacturing finance specialists – many of who have a manufacturing background themselves –understand how vital it is that you have what you need to both survive and thrive. https://www.closeassetfinance.co.uk/asset-finance

New Products Gerber Technology redefines mass production with launch of next-gen cutting room At its recent annual technology conference, Gerber Technology claimed it is revolutionising the flexible materials processing industry with the launch of its end-to-end solution for mass production.

The connected platform features the new Atria digital cutting solution, and the October 2020 release of AccuMark 2D and 3D, AccuNest and AccuPlan. The Atria digital cutting room leverages Industry 4.0 and IoT to seamlessly integrate with Gerber’s pattern-design, cut-planning and nesting solutions, which connects the entire mass production process from CAD to the cut room. Gerber’s latest product releases are what the company says manufacturers need to succeed in the post-Covid world, by integrating data management, improving efficiencies, reducing material waste, optimising nesting and cutting production costs. “We designed the Atria to be the most intelligent, integrated, and high-performance

cutter the mass-production market has ever seen,” says Lenny Marano, CCO at Gerber Technology. “The ‘new normal’ Covid era is a challenge for many manufacturers, and requires them to be agile and innovative. The Atria is backed by Gerber’s end-to-end solution that will allow companies to easily adapt and respond to consumer demands and market challenges.” The Atria digital cutting room builds on the innovative spirit of Joseph Gerber, the company’s founder and the pioneer behind the first automated cutting solution. As one of the industry’s smartest machines to date, the Atria promises to transform mass production, by improving overall throughput by +50%, reducing consumable usage by over -30% and improving material yield by +5%, with zero-buffer cutting in

NEW PRODUCTS 85

‘this intuitive solution will be a gamechanger for the furniture market as it utilises powerful algorithms to eliminate errors, reduce costs and ensure data integrity at every point in the process’ many applications at full speed. Gerber maintains that this intuitive solution will be a gamechanger for the furniture market, as it utilises powerful algorithms to eliminate errors, reduce costs and ensure data integrity at every point in the process. The Atria has already received high praise from early adopters, which have been testing and leveraging the advanced cutting room solutions for several months. GDI Grupo Diamante Internacional, manufacturer of professional uniforms, emphasised the Atria’s ability to cut even the toughest materials. The company has been able to cut +30% more material since implementing the Atria into its workflow. Apparel manufacturer, Lesato, has also seen a major improvement in cut quality. The Atria has allowed it to significantly increase its ply height while cutting faster and with absolute precision. “Fashion and transportation industries were two of the industry segments most impacted by Covid-19, which meant manufacturers in these industries had to quickly adapt their processes, accelerate ecommerce and look for new ways to connect with customers and maintain a competitive edge,” says Ron Ellis, Gerber’s director of hardware product management. “The Atria’s state-of-the-art control technology and intelligent sensors enable versatility, and make it the perfect solution for a variety of markets including apparel, transportation and furniture.” www.gerbertechnology.com

86 NEW PRODUCTS

New Ostermann ABS edgings with a Butcherblock decor Surfaces with the optics of a butcher’s block are a classic in the kitchen. They are used as worktops, for recess spaces or shelves, and combined with super matt plain surfaces. Tradespeople planning to apply surfaces with a Butcherblock decor can find two new ABS edging options at Ostermann.

As of now, Ostermann offers two new ABS edgings in Butcherblock design, namely Oak Butcherblock Wood Pore and Walnut Butcherblock Wood Pore. The realistic feel of the wood pore surfaces stresses the natural character and vivid elegance of the decors. Both edgings are available in standard dimensions of 23, 33, 43 and 100 x 2mm. They are delivered from just 1m and within 24 hours. ABS edging Walnut Butcherblock Wood Pore Those who would prefer a rather lively Butcherblock structure should opt for the walnut version of the Ostermann edging. Its varying lighter and darker elements mirror the classic look of laminated chopping boards perfectly, says Ostermann. The elegant characteristics of walnut harmonise with matt, dark grey, black or deep blue surfaces. The decor can, of course, also be combined with

light yellow or green tints, as well as with warm shades of white or beige. ABS Edging Oak Butcherblock Wood Pore Compared to the walnut variant, the oak version of the Butcherblock edging has a colouration with fewer contrasts. The different parts with oak-typical elements fit together following a tone-in-tone colour scheme. The slightly greyish natural tone stresses the elemental impression and matches all light and dark plain colours. Rather homogeneous colouring allows the user to combine the edging not only with uni-tones, but also with decors, such as monochrome metallic or stone decors. Why Butcherblock? Super matt surfaces are clearly a trend in kitchen construction. But without contrasting surfaces complementing them, they quickly tend to appear a little too sterile, or even boring.

To give modern kitchens a little more rustic liveliness, worktops, shelves or recesses can be used as contrasting surfaces with vibrant wood decors, such as the elegant Butcherblock decor. Why from 1m? If the new edgings are exclusively needed for a worktop, individual shelves or recesses, orders for whole rolls will lead to unnecessary remaining quantities, which must then be stored or even disposed of later. Ostermann therefore recommends ordering small amounts according to the needs of the job in hand. In that case, only the amount of metres actually needed is unrolled, cut and sent. The ordered amount is ready for dispatch that same day. For further information on these products, go to Ostermann’s homepage and type in the search term ‘Highlights112020’. 01905 793550 www.ostermann.eu

T-Type hinges: setting new standards for performance, versatility and convenience

The new T-type hinges from cabinet hardware expert Titus reliably deliver the soft closing action preferred by end users, whilst also offering decisive advantages for furniture manufacturers. They feature 3Way snap-on mounting, which makes them fast and easy to install, they can be used with a wide range of door thicknesses and types, they are exceptionally tolerant of misalignment and drilling variations, and they have passed FIRA tests for BS 6222-2-2009, Test Level H.

T-type hinges feature the renowned Titus â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Confident Closeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; action. This is the consumerpreferred reliable and consistent soft-closing action characterised by late-start deceleration and quiet landing in the last stage of closing, as the door reaches the cabinet side. The proprietary Titus multi-purpose integrated damping technology is transversally positioned in the hinge cup, which ensures dependable lifelong damping with no bounce-back.

The dampers used in these innovative hinges are single-direction hydraulic types that are fully sealed to eliminate the possibility of oil leakage. They are easy to adjust, which ensures that consistent performance can be achieved on doors with a wide range of different dimensions and weights. The unique 3Way tool-less snap-on mounting plate used in T-type hinges offers intuitive hingeto-plate mounting in three directions: the hinge

can be presented to the plate from the front, from the back or from the top and, with just one sharp tap of the hand, it will click easily and positively into place. This greatly simplifies door installation especially with tall doors that need four or even five hinges. The unique design of the mounting plate also reinforces stability and rigidity while maintaining smooth hinge operation. Another key benefit of T-type hinges is that they need only shallow drillings for the hinge cups, which means they can be used on doors with thicknesses from 15-26 mm. Titus T-type hinges are available in standard and pie-cut versions. They can be supplied with cross-mounting or linear mounting plates that simplify both hinge alignment and hinge-to-plate attachment. www.titusplus.com

88 NEW PRODUCTS

Hexagon software helps woodworkers deliver designer handle-less cabinets and adapt to future trends This software suite makes it easier for anyone to produce cabinets with shadowline finishes, streamlines door production and grows with woodworkers’ needs. New software from Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division enables cabinetmakers and fitters to efficiently meet growing global demand for sleek and modern handle-less cabinetry. Building on 37 years of successful use by global woodworkers, the software has now been restructured to make it easier and more costeffective for cabinetmakers to start small and grow by only using the functionality they need. Especially popular in Australia and Europe, the streamlined look and feel of handle-less cabinetry can be a significant challenge to produce efficiently using traditional construction methods. In the absence of handles or knobs, handle-less cabinets must be built with recessed channels to ensure that doors and drawers are easy to open.

Designed to help woodworkers transition quickly from design to production, the Cabinet Vision 2021 design-to-manufacturing suite simplifies the process of constructing handle-less – also known as shadowline – cabinets for any job. This new capability is now available to all Cabinet Vision users, helping woodworkers respond to the current design trend while remaining competitive, and better able to retain and win business. Cabinet door production comprises a significant portion of cabinetry work, and many cabinet shops maintain libraries of thousands of cabinet door styles, making the task of finding and re-using door designs frustrating and time-consuming. In response to this common challenge, a new Door Manager has been introduced, which enables users to manage all

activities related to door production efficiently by maintaining a dynamic door database. Hexagon has restructured its software so customers can build the design-to-manufacturing solution they need to meet the immediate demands of their business, and eliminate the purchase of functions that are not required to achieve significant cost savings. Users begin by choosing to specialise in either cabinets or closets, which ensures they receive the industry-specific tools needed for taking projects from engineering through to production. They can then build highly customised solutions by adding the tools they need to fulfil their broader business needs. Dubbed ‘multipliers,’ these tools build upon, or multiply, the power of the core industry tools.

“We have reimagined our suite to make it easier for new cabinetmakers to get started and larger manufacturers to grow efficiently,” says Chip Martin, product manager for Cabinet Vision. “When starting out, a new shop owner can simply pay for the core production elements they need, then build those capabilities as they diversify and grow. “Meanwhile, larger sites can simply provide access to their staff based on their role – for example, CAD drawings or 3D rendered walkthroughs for their design and salespeople. We’re putting customers’ needs first so new and established businesses benefit equally from access to our high-quality tools and new capabilities – like the updated door manager and shadowline support.” Available multipliers include xRendering, which offers photorealistic rendering capabilities essential for sales opportunities and presentations, and xMachining, which includes the Screen-to-Machine solution used to produce the NC code that programs machines for production. Using Screen-toMachine, NC code is generated for completed project designs with a few clicks of a mouse, and that code is sent to the CNC machinery that will cut the parts. The new software architecture is of significant benefit for users in need of two or more licenses. The flexibility to build custom solutions is especially helpful if two or more employees use the software for different functions and acquiring identical licenses would not be cost-effective. www.cabinetvision.com/products

“We’re putting customers’ needs first so new and established businesses benefit equally from access to our high-quality tools and new capabilities – like the updated door manager and shadowline support”

90 UPDATES

Updates

Businesses trading timber urged to prepare for change ahead of 1st January 2021 Businesses trading timber between Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) are being urged by the UK Government to take action to ensure they are prepared for the end of the transition period on 31st December 2020. The Government has confirmed that: due diligence checks will take place on timber flowing from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; due diligence checks will take place on timber flowing from the EU to GB, and GB to EU; no new due diligence checks will take place on timber flowing from NI to GB; and no new due diligence checks will take place on timber flowing from the EU to NI. There will be no changes to the current process for businesses importing from outside of the EU and UK producers first placing timber on the internal market â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they will still need to carry out due diligence as before. To comply with their obligations, timber traders will be required to tell the Office for Product

Safety and Standards (OPSS): and who they bought the timber from; who they sold it to (regardless of species, product or country of origin), through evidence such as an invoice. Both traders and operators (importers) will be required to keep records for five years. In the same way as they do now, operators are required to exercise due diligence to ensure that timber and timber products have not been illegally harvested. The changes will be relevant to a range of businesses that use timber, including importers and operators, exporters, those working in the construction industry, furniture manufacturers, paper and pulp manufactures, and the forestry industry. There will be no change to the way timber due diligence requirements are enforced. However, failure to comply with the timber regulations and enforcement ranges from warning letters, through to court cases, to an unlimited fine and

up to two years in prison. Importers of timber from third countries already have to carry out due diligence, except if they are importing from a country which has an operational Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in place and that import is covered by a forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT) licence. From 1st January 2021, the European Timber Regulation (EUTR) and FLEGT will become UK domestic legislation as the UK Timber Regulations and FLEGT. The requirements under the UK Regulations remain the same as under EUTR. Free guidance and tools are available on the OPSS website and on gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-timberregulation-guidance-for-business-andindustry

>Design >Function >Performance Tooltec Complete Panel Processing Solution Freud X Blade Lasts up to 3 times longer

Lasts 3 times longer

Tooltec X Blade • Reduced Friction • Super Square Tooth Design • Anti Vibration Slots • No Blade Distortion • Full sharpening package

Diamond PCD The new X blade range from Freud last 3 times longer than your current suppliers standard blade! After trials in some of the largest factories in the UK the X blade out performed against top German competitors on production, longevity and price.    

• Service and resize package • Say goodbye to tool radius compensation

Reduced Friction - Silver I.C.E Coating Multiple Sharpening's - Super Square Tooth Design Improved balancing - Anti Vibration Slots No Blade Distortion - Laser Cut Steel, Tensioning and Balancing

Carbide Spirals High speed ZG compression: Fast, affordable and reliable

Call 01494 523991

NEW Tooltec Vacuum Cups • Incredible holding power • Vortex accelerator • Quad seal technology • Homag / biesse / matrix table A range of heights available in quarter, half and full.

Web tooltec.co.uk

Email sales@tooltec.co.uk

92 UPDATES

Quickfit TL5 dowels combine versatility with performance The new and innovative Quickfit TL5 Full Metal Jacket dowels from cabinet hardware expert Titus provide strong, reliable joints in all types of wooden materials, including MDF, chipboard and solid wood. This means that it is no longer necessary to use different dowels for different materials, or to reinforce joints by adding supplementary wooden dowels. In addition, the new dowels – which are part of the Titus Engineered for Your Kitchen programme – offer fast, tool-free insertion, reducing assembly time by up to -50% for home-assembled furniture. Alternatively, for maximum efficiency in volume production applications, they can be inserted automatically using Titus FastFit machines. Quickfit TL5 dowels, which are used in conjunction with Titus Cam5000 cams, incorporate an expanding steel sleeve that provides high resistance to torsion and pull-out. This ensures rigid furniture construction, with complete freedom from the tendency for joints to loosen over time. Furniture using the dowels can also be disassembled and reassembled repeatedly without compromising joint integrity.

The dowels are designed for insertion into a 5mm hole and, on insertion, they positively and reliably engage with the hole, greatly simplifying subsequent assembly steps. When edge-inserted, the dowels immediately engage with the cam and remain securely positioned until the cam is tightened. A further key feature is that the special design of the dowel head adopted for these innovative and time-saving products means that the performance of Quickfit TL5 dowels is unaffected by edge-to-hole-centre (ETHC) tolerances of up to ±1mm. Therefore, they easily accommodate not only drilling inconsistencies, but also the natural movement of wooden panels. The dowels can be supplied in versions to suit ETHC dimensions of 24mm and 34mm. The required hole diameter for the face board is 5mm, and for the edge board 8mm. The minimum hole depth in the face board is 12.5mm. www.titusplus.com

94 UPDATES

The future of carpentry Before the breakout of Covid-19, Hoffmann Machine Company was invited to visit Newark College to demonstrate some of its range of machines and jointing system techniques to the joiners and carpenters of the future. As well as the Morso Notch Guillotine, Hoffmann demonstrated the Hoffmann MU-3, and the Hoffmann MU-3 with Face Frame Jig fitted. Present for the demonstrations were both full-time and apprentice students, as well as lecturers. Hoffmann UK director John Galvin gave a brief talk on the company’s history and ethos, and the development of Hoffmann’s machinery and the jointing system. He then demonstrated a system to manufacture cabinet frames (as found in country-style kitchens) which use a beaded frame as a fine detail. Using the Morso Notch Guillotine and the MU-3 (with a jig fitted), a complete beaded face frame was produced in minutes – much to the amazement of the

students and lecturers. Using the MU-3 machine, simple mitre joints and butt joints were also made. Under John’s supervision and guidance, many of the students used the equipment to produce a range of sample joints of their own. Furniture Studies lecturer Richard Preece comments: “The students really enjoyed the demonstrations, as they were being shown a system that was something new to them. They could actually put what they were learning in traditional furniture production into context, in terms of a more mechanised, time-saving process. One apprentice even asked for details to take back to his employers, as he could see the benefits the Hoffmann Dovetail System could bring to their own workplace. “It was a worthwhile demonstration from the Hoffmann team, which we can hopefully repeat for our next intake of learners.” 01524 841500 www.hoffmann-uk.com

TheInsertCo_JA.indd 1

23/03/2018 11:58

96 UPDATES

The benefits of pallet wrap and pallet wrap systems Employee-owned business Kite Packaging is one of the UK’s largest packaging distributors, offering a range of solutions suited to all industries. Often the hub of many businesses, warehouses commonly see an increase in activity at this time of year. To support operations, Kite takes a brief look at some of the benefits of pallet wrap and pallet wrap systems, and reminds businesses of the importance of applying and using pallet wrap correctly … Not only does Kite have a vast range of solutions, it also has specialist pallet wrap engineers that are on hand to offer support and advice and have access to manual pull plate tests, electronic force/ puncture tests and technology lab testing. Some key benefits of using pallet wrap and pallet wrap systems include: securing palletised products during transit; protection from dust, dirt, and moisture; prevention of damage to goods; improving pallet stability; reducing the risk of injury; increasing efficiency and speed; reducing waste; saving money; supporting towards best practice and quality; and preventing accidents during transportation and storage.

For more information, refer to Kite’s whitepaper on the brochure section of its website, or call the company on 02476 420065

SCM Group wins SMAU Innovation Prize The acknowledgement received at the 57th edition of the Innovation Trade Fair in Milan was for digital services, combined with SCM machinery for wood and CMS machines for machining composites, plastic, marble, glass and metal – solutions that make the group’s technologies increasingly more efficient, intelligent and connected. SCM and CMS, two benchmark brands, were key players in the 57th edition of SMAU, the annual innovation trade fair held at the Fieramilanocity on 20th-21st October. The digital software and services integrated with the SCM machines for machining wood and the CMS machines for composites, plastic, marble, glass and metal, won the SMAU Innovation Prize. General manager, Marco Mancini, picked up the award on behalf of the SCM Group during the SMAU Live Show event on the topic of “Interconnection of integrated and digital production systems and processes: the factory turns smart”. The prize is an important acknowledgement of the high innovative value offered by the SCM and CMS industrial machines, complete with digital services and Internet of Things (IoT) systems that render the end customers’ factories – from the furniture industry to construction, from automotive to aerospace,

from nautical to plastic materials – better in terms of efficiency and productivity. The case of SCM Group’s excellence, illustrated and awarded at SMAU, is an example of how industrial machines are changing from pure mechanics and becoming increasingly more intelligent and smart, connected and integrated into the entire factory, in line with the needs of Industry 4.0. In particular, once the sensors have acquired all the data and information on how the machine is functioning, this is transmitted and integrated onto the internet and converted into added-value services for the end customer. Examples of the services include: constant monitoring and analysis of the machine’s state of repair and performance, anywhere and at any time; instant interaction and sharing of information between the customer and technical service provided, even remotely; and a significant reduction in time and cost when resolving technical problems, thanks to the possibility of identifying them in real time, and even preventing them by using the performance-monitoring data acquired. All this is made possible by SCM’s Maestro Connect IoT and CMS’ CMS Connect platforms, which allow the end customer to constantly work as efficiently and productively as possible.

“Innovation, digitalisation and customer support services,” says Marco, “are the key players behind our group’s success, especially for the SCM and CMS divisions. Even in the machinery sector, the ongoing trend is a shift away from being machine manufacturers and towards service providers which place customers’ real needs at the centre, as well as the optimisation of their production processes and business plans.” The SMAU Live Show event, moderated by journalist Simona Regina from Radio Rai, can be seen here: https://livestream. com/accounts/1540476/events/9350151/ videos/212321378

1/2 page landscape.indd 1

09/08/2019 13:55

Connect DIRECTORY TO FURNITURE & JOINERY INDUSTRY SUPPLIERS

Create awareness in the free distribution and free-to-access trade directory. PUB L IS HED F EB RUARY 2 0 2 1

BOO K I NGS NO W OPE N

Contact Lisa Williams

01424 834829 Â· lisa@media66.net

Classified Advertise jobs, machinery, products, events, websites and trade services in the Classified section. Contact Lisa Williams to organise your standalone or integrated classified advertising campaign. Tel: 01424 776102 Email: lisa@media66.net

• UK’s Leading Briquette Machine with over 400 sold

SOURCES OF SUPPLY – JUST £50 PER MONTH

www.iwmachines.co.uk

• 6 Machines in the range producing from 20-100kgs/hr • Certified to meet governments NEW ‘Clean Air Strategy’

CHECK OUR NEW FACE COLLECTION ON WWW.MODECOR.INFO +49 (0) 4081966126 / info@modecor-international.com

www.modecor.info

Visit our showroom in Newark with your material for a demonstration

T: 01636 918289 M: 07944 108747 E: ibrown@iwmachines.co.uk TOOLING

Hohe Bleichen 12, 20354 Hamburg, Germany

IWM_JA.indd 1

Modecor_322.indd 1

18/11/2020 09:41

ACCURATE MEASUREMENTS INSTANTLY

again and again and again … FLIPSTOP is a unique measuring stop system which can be used on most types of machine tools to provide accurate, repeatable machining operations easily and quickly.

Datum Tools Limited The Factory, Mardens Hill Crowborough, East Sussex TN6 1XL Tel: 01892 667 800 / 01892 667 900 Email: service@flipstop.com

for further information please visit

Flipstop.indd 1

www.flipstop.com

“the moulder tooling specialist”

23/05/2019 13:10

Proud to be the UK’s only Weinig contract partner

+44 (0)116 276 6225 4 Highmeres Road Leicester, LE4 9LZ, UK

www.coltontooling.co.uk

17/08/2020 16:21

WOODWORKING WOODWORKING MACHINERY MACHINERY CNC CNC Routers Routers

• Affordable, high quality build • Affordable, high quality build • Over 25 years experience in supply • and Overinstallation 25 years experience in supply of CNC Routers and installation of CNC Routers • Excellent technical support • and Excellent technical support back up and back up

Now with Touch Now Screen with Control Touch Screen Control

Standard sizes: 8Standard x 4, 10 xsizes: 5, 3m x 2m 8 x 4, 10sizes x 5, available) 3m x 2m (Special (Special sizes available) Standard Features: Standard HSD HSKFeatures: Spindles, Rotary ATC, HSD HSK Spindles, Rotary ATC, Location Pins, Tool Digitizer. Location Pins, Tool Digitizer.

Castle Pocket Routers Castle from Pocket Routers ATA Engineering

from ATA Engineering

New Improved Model TSM22 Pocket Router NewTSM22, Improved Model Pocket Model the most popularTSM22 Pocket Router in theRouter Castle Modelhas TSM22, most popular Router in the range beenthe re-designed with Pocket a new lift up table topCastle to range has been re-designed with a new lift up table top to provide the following features: features: •provide Easier the and following quicker access when replacing the router cutter, • drill Easier and quicker replacing the and router cutter, and other partsaccess duringwhen routine servicing repair. drill and other parts during routine servicing and repair. • Additional safety feature which automatically disconnects • the Additional safety feature which automatically electrical supply to the Bosch motors. disconnects the electrical supply to the Bosch This long established and widely usedmotors. model continues to This long established and widely used modelfor continues to provide the quickest and strongest method kitchen and provide the quickest and strongest kitchen and bedroom carcass manufacture, retailmethod display for stands and other bedroom carcass manufacture, retail display stands and other interior fitting applications. interior fitting applications.

Router Cutters Router Cutters A comprehensive range of routing cutters in HSS, Carbide

A comprehensive range of cutters in HSS, Carbide tipped and solid carbide to routing suit a wide variety of applications tipped and solid carbide to suit a wide of applications in aerospace, woodworking, plastics andvariety composites. in aerospace, woodworking, plastics and composites. Enquiries welcomed for special cutters. Enquiries welcomed for special cutters. Extensive Stock Extensive Stock ATA Engineering carry an extensive stock of cutters, tool ATA Engineering carry an extensive stock of cutters, tool holders and collets, all for next day delivery. holders and collets, all for next day delivery.

ATA Engineering Processes Ltd ATAHouse, Engineering Processes LtdHemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7SS ATA Unit B, Boundary Way, ATA House, Unit B, Way, Hemelwww.ataeng.com Hempstead, Herts, HP2 7SS t: 01442 264411 e: Boundary sales@ataeng.com t: 01442 264411 e: sales@ataeng.com www.ataeng.com

PREMIUM PREMIUM PARTNER PARTNER

KEEPING KEEPINGBRITAIN BRITAIN BONDED BONDEDSINCE SINCE1979! 1979!

Your Your Adhesive Adhesive Solutions Solutions Under Under One One Roof Roof

Let’s Let’s talk talk glue glue

Visit Visitkenyon-group.co.uk kenyon-group.co.uk Call Call0161 0161627 6271001 1001

Furniture & Joinery Production #322

Articles inside

Solid Wood Processing

Products

Updates

Installations

Insight

News