9 minute read
Machinery
MF PLASTICS MANUFACTURING
BLOSSOMS INTO SUCCESS WITH AVANTEK
Established in 2009, successful window installation company MF Plastics Ltd found itself in a position that required a more stable, reliable supply chain. Deciding to manufacture their own windows out of necessity, in 2015 the company founded the fabrication operation MF Plastics Manufacturing Ltd. The fabrication company quickly flourished and by 2019 Managing Directors Manuel Fernandez and Mick Crawford were ready to put their efforts into expanding the group even further.
In 2020, the MF Plastics team moved into a new facility three times the size of its original premises – but to complete the expansion it would require new machinery, too. The focus was on machinery that would provide efficiencies to its current fabrication operations whilst continuing to produce the high-quality products the company has built a reputation for producing. After researching machinery companies within the marketplace, MF Plastics turned to its PVCu profile supplier Liniar for an introduction to its sister company Avantek Machinery.
A TIME FOR EXPANSION
Manuel explains, “The coronavirus pandemic had an unexpected impact on the fenestration industry – unprecedented demand for windows and doors. “Prior to our expansion efforts, we’d been in business for a number of years. It was clear that we would need to fully update our production processes to efficiently manage and cope with the increased demand. We’d already moved to a new site across town, which was much bigger than our original premises. Within the first eight months, we realised there was so much more potential – if only we had the right machinery.”
VISITING THE AVANTEK SHOWROOM
Liniar Sales Director Ken Allen made the initial introductions between MF Plastics and Liniar’s sister company, Avantek Machinery. After much research and due diligence, Manuel and Mick made the trip to the East Midlands to visit Avantek’s factory and showroom, with the specific intention of seeing the Supercut cutting and machining centre. Avantek Machinery Sales Director Jamie Munday provided a demonstration of the Supercut in operation whilst explaining in detail the features and benefits of this cuttingedge machine. Manuel was impressed: “The Supercut seemed to fulfil the requirements of what we were looking for and the Avantek team instilled confidence in their ability to supply and deliver the aftercare package, which was really important to us.” “Once we’d witnessed the Supercut in action, we were faced with another decision,” continues Manuel. “We decided to invest again and move our fabrication operation to an even bigger facility – one that was large enough to accommodate the Supercut.”
THE 50TH SUPERCUT
The Supercut ordered by MF Plastics turned out to be the 50th Supercut cutting and machining centre sold by Avantek Machinery in just five years – a milestone for the company. It was originally planned to be delivered in March 2021 – but the worldwide container shortage, compounded by the Brexit impact on ports, meant the fully assembled and tested machine wasn’t delivered until August 2021. “Whilst there were some obstacles to overcome during the ordering and delivery process, our team was enthusiastic to finally take receipt of the Supercut in August. We’d been paying higher rental rates on the new factory for quite some time and we were obviously keen to recoup those funds and begin to turn a profit,” says Manuel. With the Supercut’s installation complete, Avantek’s technical support team went straight to work helping to train the MF Plastics team. Manual comments, “Our team were very appreciative of Avantek’s engineers – they were informative, helpful and confident in their product.” “We went through a week’s worth of extensive training on the Supercut’s operation and maintenance, and by the following Monday we were happy to jump straight in to use the Supercut.”
THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING
Since the arrival of the Supercut, MF Plastics Manufacturing is beginning to manifest the efficiencies it’d been hoping to achieve for more than a year – and the whole team are incredibly happy with the investment. Manuel says, “Our window and door production has increased substantially. We’re delighted with the reduction in PVCu wastage and ultimately, the future boost in margin this will bring. Once we’re at optimum levels of manufacturing, our potential will only be limited by the storage capacity onsite. Our business is thriving!” Avantek’s Jamie Munday comments, “We’re delighted that after all the setbacks and unforeseen delivery issues, our 50th Supercut is finally installed in its new home at MF Plastics – and even more delighted that they are already seeing the benefits!”
Discover Avantek’s Supercut cutting and machining centres by visiting www.avantekmachinery.co.uk/supercut. Learn more about MF Plastics Manufacturing on their website at www.doubleglazingmanufacturing.com.
5-AXIS CNC ADVANCED AND AUTOMATED
Emmegi (UK) Limited Unit 14, Spitfire Close, Coventry Business Park CV5 6UR Coventry Tel. +44 2476 676 192 - Fax +44 2476 677 381 www.emmegi.com - info.uk@emmegi.com
SATELLITE XTE
5-AXIS CNC WITH MOVING GANTRY
CHIP CONVEYOR FOR EASY CLEANING
CUTS AND SEPARATES DIRECTLY FROM THE BAR
24-POSITION TOOL WITH EXCHANGER ARM
COMPACT, SERVO-CONTROLLED CLAMPS
NEW CABIN DESIGN, IMPROVED SAFETY AND VISIBILITY
24IN TOUCHSCREEN WITH USER FRIENDLY NTERFACE
10 YEAR PARTNERSHIP DELIVERS BENEFITS FOR CUSTOMERS
“In terms of product quality and overall efficiency, it’s impossible to overestimate the competitive advantage that you can get from having the right machinery set up in your factory.” That’s the view of Yogesh Gopal, Managing Director of London-based Everglade Windows, which has just marked 10 years in partnership with Emmegi (UK) by investing in a brand-new Comet X4 fully soundproofed 4-axis CNC machining centre.
Yogesh says that the benefits for trade customers who are buying aluminium products from Everglade Windows go beyond the quality of the output from the machines and extend into shorter lead times, reduced errors and minimal downtime.
Everglade Windows bought its original Emmegi machining centre, a Phantomatic T3A in 2011. It then added a Comet T6HP, which it upgraded to a Quadra L1 cutting and machining centre in 2012. It also purchased a Satellite XT which it part exchanged for a second Quadra in 2018, and now also owns the latest Comet X4. It has two dedicated factories for fabricating aluminium products – one with a Quadra and Phantomatic T3A and one with a Quadra and Comet, both with the same layout and similar outputs. The Emmegi team, including Managing Director Ian Latimer and Sales Manager Andrew Jones, has worked closely with Everglade Windows over the past decade, advising them on the right machine choices and keeping them up to date with the latest innovations and investments both at Emmegi (UK) and at Emmegi in Italy. Yogesh adds: “Our relationship with Emmegi is very much based on mutual respect and understanding. There’s no hard sell – just a genuine commitment from them to help us leverage as many benefits as we can for our customers using their machinery. For instance, they pointed out that the new Comet X4 delivers even faster output than the Phantomatic and has features which will help us to optimise production on our bespoke frames. For us, that could potentially make an important difference to our efficiency and service, which would in turn benefit our customers.”
For Emmegi (UK), the partnership with Everglade Windows is a great example of the benefits for a fabricator of sticking with a single machinery supplier, who can really get to know the strengths and objectives of their business. Ian Latimer explains: “We have been involved with Everglade Windows’s expansion for years and have helped them invest in machines which met their longer-term plans. As a result, they are very well prepared for the current record levels of demand and are seeing a really good return on their investment.” Yogesh is particularly happy with the service and support that Everglade Windows receives from Emmegi (UK). He says: “We know that we will always get a fast response to any service or maintenance call. Any machine downtime is minimised because they send engineers out to help who are knowledgeable and efficient and who crucially, know our business and our set up really well.” When it comes to maximising the competitive advantage, one thing which Everglade Windows does particularly well is to showcase the advances in its factory to existing and potential customers. Everyone who visits the company is invited to tour the factory and see the scale and sophistication of the machinery set up for themselves. Yogesh adds: “Once customers see the speed, consistency and level of precision coming from the machinery, it almost invariably convinces them to partner with us.” For more details, visit: www.emmegi.com and www.evergladetrade.co.uk.
ABCELL CHOOSES HAFFNER TO SUPPORT ITS GROWTH STRATEGY
Trade fabricator Abcell recently expanded into PVC-U fabrication as part of an ambitious growth strategy. It chose Haffner for the machinery it needed to support its plans and secure success.
Neville Gleed, Director of Abcell, said: “We decided to move into PVC-U fabrication as it made good business sense. We needed the best in PVC-U automation technology so we could deliver the exceptional quality we have built our name on. Haffner was the answer.”
The Abcell team discussed their plans with Matt Thomas, Regional Sales Manager at Haffner, who recommended the SBA-4 PVC-U Profile Machining Centre as the machine that would best support their ambitions.
The SBA-4 Machining Centre is the perfect combination of cutting-edge automated technology and high-quality output for PVC-U profiles. The heavy-duty design, top quality parts and Beckhoff control system gives years of trouble-free bar processing and superb product accuracy. It also gives fabricators the flexibility they need because it’s easily programmed and adjusted to suit any range of window styles. The Haffner team was able to deliver the machine to Abcell within six weeks from order placement and it’s now helping the company to meet and exceed customer requirements as it moves into PVC-U fabrication. Neville commented: “We were pleased with the efficiency of the Haffner team and delighted to be able to get up and running with the new machine so quickly.” Abcell has been an established fabricator for over 30 years and manufactures and supplies a comprehensive range of specialist products including Guardian™ Warm Roofs, Warmcore bifolding doors, Stratus Lantern Roofs, Ultraframe roofs and ALUK products direct to the trade. It operates from a 100,000 sq ft high performance, state-of-the-art three-unit manufacturing facility in Birmingham. Haffner has the largest and most comprehensive PVC-U and aluminium fabrication machinery portfolio in the industry. It has an exclusive supply partnership with Italian-machine innovators, Graf Synergy, which is well-known for its world class seamless welding technology and patented welding techniques. Haffner is also the sole UK agent of Haffner Machinery, which designs innovative and high-quality engineered products and it also supplies a range of aluminium fabrication machines from worldwide machine-giants, Fom Industries. Award-winning Haffner has become the industry’s go-to machinery partner for several years due to its comprehensive product offer and expertise in manufacturing solutions. In helping Abcell deliver its growth strategy, it’s proving exactly why it deserves its status. Tel: 01785 222421 www.haffnermurat.com
