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Due to unprecedented growth over the last four years, which has seen the company reach maximum capacity, a comprehensive investment programme has been agreed. This will include: further expansion of steel machining and the extension of assembly areas – in addition to the investment made in 2018, which saw the expansion of Holz-Her’s steel machining area, there will be a new hall and a new centre for steel machining (the assembly area will be expanded to measure 1700m2); a redesign of the logistics concept at the production site – the existing logistics concept will be revised and restructured, with new, highly automated warehouses built for pallets, bars and small parts; and the expansion of the showroom and renovation of the office premises at the Voitsberg site. The €15m investment will not only increase production capacity, but will also create space to expand the company’s product portfolio in the future.

In view of investments already made in 2019 (€5m) and 2020 (€12m), which were primarily aimed at the sales, service and development site in Nürtingen, Weing’s continual commitment to Holz-Her underlines the importance of the partnership and its employees.

The Weinig Group is well positioned with its two divisions in solid wood and panel processing. This is due not least to the special commitment of its employees, to whom the company would like to express its gratitude.

“We are very much looking forward to continuing to shape the future of Holz-Her together,” say Gregor Baumbusch, CEO of the Weinig Group, and Frank Epple, MD of Holz-Her.

VWM sales director Jason Varey pays his respects: “Our dear friend and colleague Andy – Maz to those who knew him well – started out with Wadkin Colne in the early 1970s, and was very well known and respected throughout the world for his imperious knowledge of CNC machining centres. After leaving Wadkin in the mid 1990s and then working for another woodworking company for a short while, he joined us at VWM in 2001, becoming our technical sales manager. “Andy brought a vast amount of knowledge and business to VWM, and for that we will be eternally grateful – it made us the business we are today. His legacy will live on with us. Maz finally took retirement in January 2021 and was very much looking forward to enjoying life with his family, but this was cruelly cut short.

“All of us at VWM would like to offer our sincere condolences to all of his family, and he will be sadly missed by us all.”

The latest TTF statistics show the volume of timber imported between January and October 2021 to be 28% higher than the same period in 2020 – reaching a total of 10.3 million m3 in the year to date. Yet even as this milestone is reached these statistics reveal a significant shift in timber import patterns with volumes 16% lower in October 2021 than in the corresponding month in 2020.

This marks the first month in 2021 where the volume of timber imported was below its corresponding level from 2020, and the end of 15 months of continual growth in UK imports of timber and panel products. Softwood import volumes reflected these changes with just 557,000m3 entering the UK in October 2021 – which is very close to the average volume of softwood imports seen between 2015 to 2018 (559,000m3).

Members can read the full report on the TTF website: https://ttf.co.uk/download/ttfmonthly-stats-january-2022/

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Microvellum has changed the way we do business. Their staff in the UK have not only assisted me to get the best out of my software and machinery but their extensive knowledge of manufacturing has helped us to be more professional and efficient. ” Scott Purdom

Lamin8 Scotland / Robe Lamin8 Scotland / Robert Sinclair Interiors

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The company, founded in 1952 by Max Mayer, got off to a brilliant start with the patented swing mortising chisel, which quickly gained a leading role in processing doors and stairs. The company’s path was characterised by enduring innovations, on the basis of customer-specific solutions with a high degree of automation.

The 1980s saw the introduction of five-axis CNC systems, and since then the company has established itself as one of the foremost partners in the world for the furniture and joinery manufacturing industry.

Innovations, with constant development and fine tuning of application-specific manufacturing systems, became the hallmark of the Maka brand, along with outstanding high-quality, robust and reliable equipment.

Developments continue in 2022 with the introduction of digitisation.

One such development, with Siemens One, enables the design and assembly of machines to establish how they perform, with simulation and optimisation of all machining processes before the machine has even been assembled.

Production time and lead times are minimised, reducing costs.

Robust and precise with the Power-Maka fiveaxis 50° head (image courtesy of Maka)

This same technology is also introduced to the end-user, to define and test new production processes, enabling new component parts to quickly go from screen to machine smoothly, and run right first time. 3D machine and component models and subsequent programmes can be created 100% digitally, and simulated in real-time. This achieves a significant acceleration of production set-up time.

Maka Systems is one of the first German machine manufacturers to offer the new Siemens Sinumerik One control.

With the latest modern, networked production and control technology, Maka provides open access to all CAD/CAM tools, clamping devices

Sleek and easy-to-navigate Maka controls provide complete connectivity with Siemens Sinumerik One (image courtesy of Maka) and handling systems that are customary in industry.

As part of a joint research project with Fraunhofer institute, Maka Modibase adds integrated IT to the machine. This networks operational components, and at the same time protects it from possible threats from the network.

The Maka Modibase contains a secure gateway for remote maintenance and, for the first time, offers the option of automatically backing up all data, programmes and parameters of the machine.

At the same time, Maka has advanced the development of new machines and improvements to details. New toolchanging systems and spindle drives ensure more flexibility, higher productivity and better energy efficiency.

Maka’s strength has been to set itself apart from its competitors, with a high level of process competence. This is being expanded further. The company not only supplies leading technology and performance, but also supports businesses, above all, in the development of suitable manufacturing strategies.

To this end, Maka has increased its personnel and created new structures, to provide even higher-quality support and service for the enduser. 01952 607700 info@makauk.com www.maka.com

Evolution 7405 Connect vertical CNC machining centre

“It’s crunch time. No smoke, no mirrors,” says Paul Nightingale, national sales manager of Holz-Her UK. “We want to show our customers, through live demonstration, just how easy ‘working smart’ can be when using our cut, edge and drill methodology.”

Machines being demonstrated throughout the event include: • Sector 1254 vertical panel saw featuring Opti-Base V-cut optimisation software • Auriga 1308 XL Power edgebander with three finishing units and Glu Jet technology • Evolution 7405 Connect vertical CNC machining centre for precision edge routing on all four workpiece edges

To book a place at Holz-Her’s Smart Workshops For The Smaller Manufacturer Connect event, or for more information, visit the company website or get in touch with a Holz-Her UK representative. www.holzher.co.uk

Lawcris began in 1982 in the city of Wakefield. Noticing a gap in the market for a quick panel delivery service, CEO Chris Hopton and MD Simon Hall founded Lawcris Panel Products. The company rapidly expanded, going from strength to strength, and in 1996 made the big move to Leeds, where it has established an enviable reputation as one of the largest independent panel product suppliers in the UK market.

Not only that, the precision and accuracy within Lawcris’ additional CNC manufacturing division has provided and continues to deliver customers with a crucial service, offering an extension to their own production capacity. “The landscape has dramatically changed since we started out in 1982,” says Simon Hall. “Our intention was to become a strong delivery partner for timber merchants in plywood, MDF and chipboard. Back then, we would be picking in the morning and, in the afternoon, out on the road delivering. Excuse the pun when I say that we really did go the extra mile to make sure our customers got what they wanted, when they wanted it.

“That is how our reputation grew – people would ring us, knowing that we would find a way to deliver goods to them when they needed them. It was very fast paced, and we were 100% service orientated.

“As we grew bigger, so did our portfolio of products. Melamines, laminates, worktops, edging, veneers, acrylics, the list goes on. Today, we have not slowed down, and our service is still one of the best out there.” To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Lawcris has lined up a series of events, including a celebrity charity football match in June with live music afterwards – appropriately named LawcrisFest – which will see the whole workplace invited to celebrate the milestone. Lawcris’ team is also looking forwards to working with its charity partner, St Gemma’s Hospice, to achieve ‘40 things for St Gemma’s’, which will see it fundraising, volunteering and raising awareness for this vital Leeds-based charity through a number of initiatives. “The last 40 years have been incredible for Lawcris,” states the company, “with the next 40 promising to be just as exciting.” www.lawcris.co.uk

ON DEMONSTRATION

JJ SMITH MACHINERY SHOW 29TH - 31ST MARCH 2022

Intorex CNB CNC lathe – on demonstration

Comec MD TOP XL 4-axis CNC work centre – on demonstration

While there will be machines on demonstration that cover a wide range of market sectors, there will be a particular focus on specific manufacturing areas, including doors and door frames, staircases, solid wood furniture, garden products, gates, turned components and offsite production.

CNC machinery will be a major focus, and will include the impressive Comec MD Top XL fouraxis CNC machining centre, Centauro Alfa Twin through-feed door-processing line, Intorex CNB CNC woodturning lathe, D- Mac tenoner and Centauro Beta programmable mortiser.

As a leading UK supplier of crosscutting solutions, there will be an impressive range of machines on demonstration, including three different models of Stromab fully programmable push-feed crosscuts for straight or angled cutting, and with in-built notching facility.

Lastly, from Graule, there will be a full range of manual pull-over saws and trenchers, with the top-of-the-range ZS200 fitted with pneumatic clamps, LCD angle setting and laser line.

Other machines on demonstration will include the Pade MZ heavy-duty LC4000 automatic rip saw, JLT Clamping systems, and the all-new Deltawood three-head swing chisel mortiser.

For offsite manufacturing, visitors can view JJ Smith’s range of MBA equipment, including a splicing press, frame assembly tables, butterfly table and panel lift, in addition to the range of programmable crosscut saws.