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I N C O N V E R S AT I O N W I T H
Mike Briggs, Panelco
>> Introduce the company, its key people and an overview the products and services on offer. Panelco is the UK’s premier supplier of wood based panels to the UK furniture industry, the company has a tight management structure tasked with driving quality and service consistently. Julie Dean, commercial director and Matthew Davies, commercial manager, head up sales and marketing, Mike Briggs as purchasing director is responsible for supply chain, product development and innovation ,while Ashley Hooley takes responsibility for the stock and inventory management. As a company we offer a unique proposition in our industry, offering ex stock next day delivery on the widest range of premium wood based panel solutions currently available in the market, MDF, Plywood P2 and P5 chipboard, FR based panels, MR panels, Veneers, OSB, structural flooring, and the widest range of decorative melamine faced boards assembled under one roof in the UK, >> Among Panelco’s products, Medite products feature strongly – tell us about Panelco’s relationship with Medite and specifically what Medite products Panelco offers. Panelco’s relationship with Medite goes back many years, they are a specialist in producing MDF and MDF alone, as a result I believe Medite have developed a product that far exceeds the market expectations in terms of quality and usability, As a specialist producer they offer many products which have been developed to work in over 400 different applications including Fire retardant, moisture resistant, Medivent and the incredible waterproof Tricoya to name a few. Panelco offer an extensive range covering Trade, standard, MR, FR exterior grade and Tricoya covering all the industry standards, available for next day delivery from a single sheet to full loads.
>> How do the Medite products that Panelco offers differ from the norm – what are their core attributes in terms of quality and machining? Along with the industry standards Panelco specialise in carrying a range of non- standard product lines, these include oversized and specialist panels, supporting a great number of niche applications, Medite Clear is a product manufactured with zero formaldehyde, specifically developed for use in environmentally sensitive applications. Medivent is a product developed for use in Passivhaus buildings, a suitable breathable MDF that is CARB2 compliant and FSC certified. >> Give us a fuller appreciation of the services that Panelco offers its furniture and joinery customers? Panelco is based in the heart of Staffordshire in a 650,000 sq ft distribution facility, we own our own fleet of trucks designed with the sole purpose of supplying customers on time and in full whatever the customers requirements. Take a look further into what Panelco offer you will discover so much more than just a next day delivery service. Visit our recently opened Design Studio & Forum where you can utilise all the facilities we have on offer to develop new ranges, see new trends and decors all with the assistance of the sales team. >> Regarding Panelco’s wider portfolio, what is currently in particular demand from furniture and joinery manufacturers – and what their key applications? Sales remain extremely strong for Medite product however we are seeing a real emergence in demand for oversized MR MDF up to lengths of 5.2m these specialist products have been bought into stock as we adjust requirements to reflect demand.
