Furniture & Joinery Production #319

September 2020 #319 News / Events / Updates Covid-19 pandemic updates Surfacing & decorative panels Dust extraction & woodwaste / Adhesives

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BRITISH MANUFACTURING FOR A GREAT BRITAIN

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British Manufacturing for a Great Britain

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

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info@media66.net EDITOR John Legg Tel: 01424 776104 john@media66.net Twitter: @FurnitureProdEd ADVERTISING MANAGER Lisa Williams Tel: 01424 776102 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

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© Media66 2020 www.furnitureproduction.net

ISSN 2396-9024

Comment Welcome to the September issue of Furniture & Joinery Production, at a time when myself and the team would have been looking forward to meeting up with the trade, customers and colleagues at the W Exhibition at the NEC. But as we all know, this year has been anything but normal – and we’re still fi nding out what the ‘new normal’ business landscape looks like. Where are the business opportunities? When will retail recover? Should I get a better website to sell my products direct to the consumer? These and many other fundamental questions will call for a good deal of soul-searching and wise counsel.

To inform and hopefully inspire readers, this issue brings news from across the industry as to how businesses have navigated this intensely worrying and challenging chapter in our lives. What strikes me listening to these stories is the positive nature of people in diffi cult circumstances, with many showing formidable resolve and spirit and achieving more than they might have imagined in the face considerable pressure. The old adage, as one door closes, so another opens comes to mind.

With the diffi culties of what was looking very much like a Brexit-induced depression in many quarters followed by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic which we’ll be dealing for months if not years to come, the mettle of the furniture and joinery manufacturers is being tested as never before. Now more than ever, our industry needs to be at its best, providing customers with good quality, desirable products at fair prices and in a timely fashion. In terms of sales channels, the internet and social media are most defi nitely getting into their stride, albeit from a low base, and can no longer be ignored. From a technical perspective, investing in good quality machinery, equipment, materials and components must be at the forefront of manufacturers’ thinking. And most of all, people. Skilled operators have always been in demand in the furniture and joinery industry, and their experience, contribution and overall value to a business today is greater than it has been for many generations – key staff will provide a cornerstone for your business as the industry gets beyond Brexit and the pandemic.

On which note, as I’m sure many of you will already be aware, The W Exhibition is now scheduled to take place towards the end of September 2021 – and lest we forget, it is widely accepted that W is very much the fi nest event for suppliers, and people, in our market, so please make a note in the diary for that: 26-29th September 2021 – the countdown has begun!

Elsewhere, the eagle-eyed among you will have noticed a small but important change to this page (clue: publisher’s logo) whereupon I, as Media 66 Ltd, have the acquired the rights to publish this magazine and its associated media.

Having worked alongside the publications founder, Nigel Gearing, since the title’s inception in 1993, I am incredibly proud to take on the publisher/editor mantle moving forward and would like to take this opportunity to thank Nigel and the Gearing Media Group family for their support over the years and to wish them well with sister titles: Furniture News and Hospitality Interiors.

I hope you enjoy the issue!

Content 4 News 20 Covid-19 pandemic updates 48 Installations 58 Surfacing & decorative panels 72 Adhesives 76 Dust extraction & woodwaste 84 Products 88 Updates

John

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4 NEWS

Positive mood at Egger with stable results in 2019/20 The close of Egger Group’s financial year on 30th April 2020 came at a particularly challenging time. Nevertheless, the woodbased material manufacturer has reported 11 successful months and thus a stable business development overall for its 2019/20 financial year. The group generated revenue of €2831.5m (-0.4% YoY) and EBITDA of €424.4m (-0.1% YoY). The EBITDA margin was 15.0%, the same as in the previous year. At 37.9%, the shareholder’s equity ratio is higher than in the previous year (36.8%).

Around 10,100 employees (as of 30th April 2020) contributed to these results during the past financial year, and to a new record production capacity of 8.9 million m3 of wood-based materials and timber. The Egger Group is also

continuing a phase of very high investment activity, and invested a record sum of €531.4m across the financial year.

After positive business development in the first 11 months, the effects of the coronavirus pandemic slightly dampened this trend. There were regional differences in the economic impact due to differences in the spread of

the virus and the measures taken nationally to combat it. While sales in Western Europe declined over the entire financial year, sales in Central Europe increased slightly, and in some cases substantially in the Eastern European, American and overseas markets, YoY. The Division Decorative Products Centre generated a turnover of €886.6m (+2.8% YoY). The Division

Decorative Products West, with plants in the UK and France, generated sales of €663.2m ( -7.1% YoY). The turnover in the Division Decorative Products East rose by +5.8% to €886.5m.

The latest division, Decorative Products Americas, increased its turnover by +14.2% to €137.3m.

In addition to the Concordia site in Argentina, this already includes market development activities in North America for the plant under construction in Lexington, NC. The Flooring Products Division, with sales of €441.0m, was down -1.3% on the previous year. The ‘Other’ segment includes the sawmill in Brilon (DE), smaller independent divisions and group functions, which generated a revenue of €173.7m. www.egger.com

Dow and Eco-mobilier enter innovation partnership

Mirka celebrates 20 years of dust-free sanding

Dow and Eco-mobilier, the French mattress and furniture EPR organisation, have jointly announced a new collaboration for the collection and supply of post-consumer polyurethane foam for the Renuva Mattress Recycling Program.

As part of this innovation partnership, Eco-mobilier will employ its used mattress collection and dismantling capabilities to supply post-consumer polyurethane foam to Orrion Chemicals, Orgaform’s recently announced chemical recycling unit in Semoy, France.

In Semoy, Dow’s Renuva Mattress Recycling Program will use chemical recycling to convert this recovered foam into new valuable polyurethane raw materials

For two decades, Mirka has been at the forefront of dust-free sanding, thanks to an invention that changed workplaces around the world. By developing an abrasive that features a net structure instead of a conventional paper backing, Mirka was able to introduce extremely efficient ontool dust removal that improves both the work quality and working environment. Mirka called the new abrasive Abranet.

Manufactured with Mirka’s patented technology, the net structure of the Abranet abrasive ensures a sanding particle is never more than 0.5mm from a dust extraction hole. This means that sanding grains are able to retain their cutting power and the resulting dust is safely removed.

Abranet is highly resistant to dust pills and clogging, and is easily cleared to ensure optimal use out of every abrasive. With every coarseness grade providing impressive results, the original Abranet and its many versions are best combined with Mirka’s efficient and ergonomic power tools and dust extractors. New versions of the Abranet continue to be developed and patented.

“The Mirka Abranet net abrasive is a product of true Finnish ingenuity

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(polyols). Dow aims to validate and work towards creating a market for these recycled polyols.

“At Dow, we are addressing the challenge of discarded mattresses head-on. We have been actively reviewing centrally organised waste collection, dismantling and recycling systems for end-of-life material for years. France has set an example by creating the EPR scheme, and Eco-mobilier is leading the way in mattress and furniture waste collection,” says Neil Carr, president of Dow Europe, Middle East, Africa and India.

Eco-mobilier has been collecting used mattresses since 2013.

In 2019, the volumes collected already reached 66,000 tons.

“Eco-mobilier and its manufacturer and retailer shareholders are proud to support this first industrial plant dedicated to PU foam chemical recycling right here in France. Thanks to this pioneering project with Dow, we are closing the loop by opening a new era for mattress recycling.

This aligns with our strategy of implementing industrial tools for mattress recycling in France,” adds Dominique Mignon, president of Eco-mobilier. www.dow.com/renuva www.eco-mobilier.fr

and ability to think outside the box.

What started out as a laboratory experiment quickly proved its worth, and it’s a perfect example of the Mirka way of doing things,” says Hans Hede, development engineer and one of the fathers of Abranet.

Today, 20 years later, dustfree sanding is widely accepted as an industry standard, with many competitors having seen the advantages of the Abranet approach. Original Mirka Abranet abrasives and other patented technologies come from the Mirka factory in Jeppo, Finland, where it all started.

Mirka is looking forward to many more decades of dust-free and safe working environments, made better every day by the products and solutions the company continues to develop and manufacture. www.mirka.com

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6 NEWS

FIESTA welcomes new member The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) is the latest trade association to join the Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA), ensuring that a voice for the training requirements of installers is represented in the body.

FIRA releases toolkit to assist conformity with CE marking The Furniture Industry Research Association has released a new toolkit to support its members in meeting the strict requirements of CE Marking Directives. The toolkit is designed to help users navigate the sometimescomplex technical file aspect requirement of the regulations.

Take time to visit The Egger World Egger has introduced a virtual world so designers can explore products in application.

Well known for constantly investing in new, innovative products and services, Egger, one of the leading international woodbased material manufacturers, has developed a fresh approach to showcasing its product portfolio.

Choosing the right products for a project can be overwhelming, with so many different suppliers, products and decors to choose from. Egger’s new, free, online service, The Egger World, enables

NBF publishes guide to eco-design principles for the UK bed sector The National Bed Federation has published a guide to ecodesign principles, specifically for the UK bed sector. With many British bed companies already taking a greener approach, including takeback services and increased use of recycled and recyclable fillings in mattresses, the association has produced the guide to encourage the wider industry to mitigate its environmental impact. The creation of the guide also coincides with the establishment last year of a three-year research partnership with circular economy expert Zero Waste Scotland, aiming to increase mattress recycling and encourage more sustainable design.

the discovery of a vast range of furniture, flooring and building products, all in one place.

Explore an extensive range across six different roomsets – office, kitchen, bedroom, hospitality, retail and construction. See which Egger products can create the highlighted elements in each application, and find out how to achieve the desired look for less, without compromising on style.

From bespoke and contract furniture design to structural and laminate flooring, the diverse product offering includes Egger Decorative Collection 2020-22, Egger Worktops Collection 2020, Egger Pro Flooring Collection and Egger’s Advanced Structural Flooring.

Elliott Fairlie, head of decor management, UK & Ireland, Egger UK, says: “Egger’s product offering is a one-stop-shop, designed to save our customer time and money. The Egger World shows

how versatile our collections can be. From building the foundations to customer handover, our products can be specified throughout.

“Our new service can also be used as a learning resource. Each application element has a list of suitable products, an overview of their benefits and links to additional information, including BIM Objects.”

The new service complements Egger’s extensive free online services, comprising Virtual Design Studio, Worktop Visualiser, Egger Decorative Collection App, Flooring Visualiser, Virtual Samples and more.

The decorative and flooring collection are available worldwide, so if working on an international project, customers can rely on a consistent look. All Egger products are available in the UK and Ireland via a network of distributors and retailers. www.egger.com/shop/en_GB/ explore

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Vecoplan to host online event for its wood and biomass division With many trade fairs cancelled this year due to the impact of Covid-19, Vecoplan is putting on its second interactive live presentation on recycling and waste treatment, streamed from its technology centre. Dubbed 360° Days, the next streaming dates are 9-10th September.

New CEO at Altendorf The Altendorf Group has made a change to its management board in the guise of Peter Schwenk, the new CEO. Peter has a history in the machinebuilding industry, with substantial experience and knowledge working for companies such as Kannegiesser, PFAFF Industrial AG and EWAG AG (United Grinding Group) as a CEO, and MD for the LAPP Group cable harness division. Additionally, as a senior business executive, Peter has a track record in international growth-oriented companies.

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OBITUARY

Koch announces the passing of Paul Tipler Back in June, Koch announced the sad news of the passing of Paul Tipler, the company’s sales representative for the UK market.

As many in the industry will attest, Paul was a true character, always on hand with a choice yarn or two.

Paul was a valued member of the German firm’s team for over 20 years, and the collaboration goes back even longer to the time when he sold Koch machines into the English market when at Interwood.

With his larger-than-life personality, he was always a pleasure to deal with for everyone

he met. Koch says that the contribution he made to it and people’s lives was invaluable, and that he will be sadly missed for years to come. The funeral that Koch attended online due to the Covid-19 crisis was a celebration of Paul’s life – with some crazy stories told in true Paul Tipler fashion. Going forward, Koch will continue its commitment to the UK. In the interim, Jochen Saak, Koch area sales manager, will handle the market.

“Our thoughts and hearts are with his family at this time,” said a Koch spokeperson.

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Storage Technology Whilst maximising stock usage and increasing productivity, STORETEQ systems eliminate the need for manual handling of heavy panels. As boards are delivered direct to a machine, it only requires one individual to operate the concept effectively.

Automation and Robotics From return systems for edgebanders to robotic handling for workpieces and transport systems, these automated solutions when added to core production machines create complete a production cells that requires little or no human intervention.

FEEDBOT Automated workpiece handling for CNC processing centres. The FEEDBOT is a cost-effective way of handling fast workpiece changes as well as loading and unloading workpieces to reduce downtime.

TRANSBOT Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) connect individual machines, cells and workstations within production facilities without the need for additional human intervention. When intetegrated into either new or existing production facilities, AGVs are the ideal solution for rapid transportation of materials and workpieces between machinery.

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8 NEWS

New Acimall president The general assembly of Acimall, the association of Italian manufacturers of furniture and wood technology, approved the appointment of Luigi De Vito (SCM Group, Rimini) to president for the 2020-23 period, together with Marianna Daschini (Greda, Mariano Comense) taking the role of vice president.

The assembly met in July and accepted the nominations of the managing board and approved the financial statement of one of the most difficult years for Acimall and the entire world economy.

Luigi – married, with three children – is currently wood division director at SCM, in charge of production, product development, sales and aftersales service. With a business management degree from the

Luiss University in Rome, he has developed solid managing experience abroad, dealing with European loans for startups, and then at Unilever. Since 2008, he has been working in the wood technology industry, covering roles with increasing responsibilities, and he joined SCM Group in 2012.

He took the opportunity to greet many business owners attending the video conference, and first of all he thanked the outgoing president Lorenzo Primultini, “who has been able to guide the association through one of the most difficult times in history, while keeping a focus on the values that a business association must preserve”.

The new Acimall president then introduced vice president Marianna Daschini, stressing the value of a young female manager in a high-

From left: Lorenz Primultini, Marianna Daschinin and Luigi De Vito

profile role.

Then, he mentioned the key topics of his term: promoting open dialogue among the member companies and with other associations; focusing resources on strategic projects (credit access, business development,

supply chain initiatives); and supporting and developing the brands of member companies, “creating a favourable environment to exchange excellent models of market strategy, sales and technology trends”. www.acimall.com

Combi-CS pedestrian stacker wins prestigious IFOY award CDUK Combilift is a winner at this year’s IFOY Awards 2020 – one of the most prestigious and hotly contested international awards in the materials handling industry, which honours the best products and solutions of the year. The company won the Warehouse Truck Lowlifter Category with its innovative Combi-CS pedestrian counterbalance stacker.

The Combi-CS is the only pedestrian counterbalance stacker that will operate in a conventional reach truck aisle, for space-saving and productive storage and handling. It features Combilift’s unique, internationally patented and award-winning multi-position tiller arm, which can be turned to the left or right of the unit to position the rear drive wheel, allowing the operator to remain in the safest position – at the side of the machine, rather than at the rear, as is the case with other pedestrian stackers.

This ensures optimum visibility of the load and surroundings, as well as guaranteeing maximum safety in areas where other personnel or members of the public may be present.

Due to the current circumstances, the hundreds of people that normally attend the IFOY ceremony could not get together personally, so the organiser rolled out the

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virtual red carpet for the winners on the internet on July 13th 2020 at www.ifoy.org.

IFOY founder and executive chairperson of the IFOY jury, Anita Würmser, said: “Special

times require special solutions, and this year’s IFOY Awards were dedicated to the best innovations in intralogistics and moreover to the people who make intralogistics happen.”

Finalists’ products underwent stringent IFOY audit and innovation checks by industry experts, and journalists from leading logistics media from 19 countries also tested and evaluated the equipment for qualities such as technology, design, ergonomics, safety, marketability, customer benefit and sustainability.

Some of the jury’s comments on the Combi-CS were as follows: “The Combi-CS is a really compact smart pedestrian operated truck and a nice hands-on solution. It offers significant added value in terms of narrow aisle operation and safety in confined environments.

It is a customer-focused solution with a very high level of market relevance.”

Combilift CEO and co-founder Martin McVicar says: “On behalf of the whole Combilift team I am delighted to receive the IFOY 2020 award and proud that this innovative product has been recognised as a valuable solution for the intralogistics sector. We extend our thanks to the IFOY jury for selecting us for this important award.” www.combilift.com Video of award acceptance

https://youtu.be/3RDXQ6mZDTY Product video

https://youtu.be/6iPfEWThgJE

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The proďŹ le of the positioning pins allows for precise alignment of the two connector halves. No need to use alignment dowels.

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the Watch eo id C new v P-14 CN x Clame

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10 NEWS

David Woodward installed as master of The Furniture Makers’ Company

David Woodward, founder and director of luxury upholstery maker and logistics company Celtheath, was installed as the 59th master of The Furniture Makers’ Company in a historic virtual ceremony.

The annual installation ceremony normally takes place at St Mary-leBow Church in the City of London, followed by a commemorative white-tie dinner at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London – but plans were cancelled just prior to the lockdown announcement in March.

This year, members of the company swapped celebrating in the Egyptian Room at Mansion House for logging in to a Zoom meeting in their own homes to commemorate the occasion and watch David’s extraordinary installation.

David, who succeeded Dids Macdonald OBE, will serve an additional year in office to ensure continuity and stability of

leadership during the Covid-19 outbreak. He will be the first master in the Furniture Makers’ history to be in office for two years, with senior warden Tony Attard OBE DL and junior warden Amanda Waring also serving an additional 12 months.

David says: “I am deeply honoured to have been installed as master of this great livery company, and been shown the trust by peers to hold the office for two years.

“While times are hard, our resolve must be positive in the belief that better days are to come.

“Our main priority now is to provide support through our welfare grants, which we have seen a huge increase in applications for as a direct result of the pandemic.

We expect this to continue as the financial effects hit more people and companies in the forthcoming weeks and months.”

Outlining plans for his time in office, David stated that he wants to build upon the successful One Step at a Time campaign and increase the number of One Step Champions to 350, with the intention of launching a fundraising campaign, Step 2 It, at the beginning of 2021.

He adds: “When the pandemic has been beaten and companies can get together, we will be launching a nationwide fundraising campaign that will encourage the industry to get active and run, swim, walk or row 100,000 miles and raise £100,000 in the process.”

Packaging company donates £9000 to selected local charities

Giardina takes over De Stefani Giardina Group, one of the best-known brands for finishing solutions, has acquired De Stefani Valerio & C, based in Giussano, Italy – a manufacturer operating for over 40 years all over the world, thanks to the artisan quality of its sanding solutions.

The deal was signed in the days of the pandemic lockdown. “We didn’t stop and we also carried out this project, which we had been working on for some time,” comments Stefano Mauri, coowner of the Giardina Group with his brother Riccardo.

“We believe that it is in complex times like the one we are experiencing that companies must demonstrate that they have a project, a perspective, the strength to look ahead without waiting for interventions from governments and institutions. Never more than today is it fundamental to believe in your own strengths and ideas.”

The processes that led to the integration between the teams have been refined, with a view to defining complete production, management and commercial synergy.

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De Stefani will continue to operate at its headquarters in Giussano, co-ordinated by Sara and Alessio De Stefani – sons of the founder Valerio – who will maintain the management of the production unit in co-ordination with the various leaders of the group activities.

The acquisition of De Stefani opens a new chapter for the Giardina Group’s 2030 project. This industrial plan defines the group’s strategies to face markets with an increasingly articulated range of solutions, but above all with the skills and knowledge necessary to design and build machines and plants in the many sectors in which the group operates – from wood to glass, plastic to automotive, composites to aerospace.

The acquisition represents an important stage in the finishing specialist’s journey, which complements the recent inauguration of the Giampiero Mauri Innovation Centre and takes place 10 years after the acquisition of Giardina Finishing by Mauri Macchine. www.giardianagroup.com

The employee-owned Kite has seven regional distribution centres located around the UK, and an environmental business and leading B2B ecommerce website, both based in the Midlands. Each year the company individually nominates a charity of its choice to donate £1000 to and support throughout the year.

The charities that have received a £1000 donation from Kite in 2020 are: Zoë’s Place, a baby hospice providing palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants; Loros Hospice, which provides free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill adult patients, their family, and carers; Rotherham Rise, which provides

help and support for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation; Children with Cancer UK, a leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer; Anxious Minds, offering support for mental health across the North East; Family Food Bank, helping support families and reduce the impact of child poverty; Macmillan Cancer Support, offering emotional, physical, and financial support from the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond; Age UK, helping older people when it is needed the most; and Smash, which helps young people who are not thriving improve their levels of wellbeing. www.kitepackaging.co.uk

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12 NEWS

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September marks the official one-year countdown to The W Exhibition 2021 (September 26-29th, 2021). And since the announcement of the new 2021 NEC fixture, the industry has thrown its support behind the UK’s flagship event for the furniture manufacturing and joinery industries.

The W Exhibition 2021 countdown is under way!

The organiser, which has reported sales of over 80% of stand capacity in recent weeks, reports that it has been inundated with messages of support from its cohort of loyal exhibitors.

MD Nickie West comments: “As we mark the one-year countdown to The W Exhibition 2021, I am delighted to be able to say that we have received extremely positive support from every corner of the industry.

“In particular, we have been overwhelmed by the support of our stakeholders, who have all endorsed our date change announcement. We will be working as closely as possible with each and every one of them to ensure that we deliver the best event next September.

“There are some really exciting changes which are being developed behind the scenes. The campaign for The W Exhibition 2021 represents our biggest investment to date, which is why we have been so determined to move the event over to the right timeline to do all of this work justice.

We want to deliver the best possible ROI for our exhibitors and visitors alike.”

Among the exhibitors to voice their support of the new W21 dates is Alex Dalton of Daltons Wadkin. He says: “We’re disappointed to have to wait a further year, but it is completely the right decision to postpone the show to 2021. The W Exhibition provides a shopfront for us to connect with the market and allows us to go toe-to-toe with our competition. You can’t quite beat the energy and thrill that you get from a show – it is second to none.

“The new dates provide a positive milestone for the industry to look forward to and work towards. The extra time should also allow for

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the further development of new equipment and products, which can only be a good thing for W21 visitors.”

Matt Pearce, MD, TM Machinery & TM Services, comments: “Moving the exhibition dates to September 2021 is the correct call in the current climate. We also believe that the UK’s furniture manufacturing industry will benefit from the show following Ligna, as visitors will be able to experience the very latest innovations to enter the market sooner.”

Shaye Chatfield, international area sales manager (UK and Ireland), Lamello, says: “The W Exhibition is the only trade show in the UK to represent the furniture manufacturing industry as a whole, and it needs to take place when both visitors and exhibitors can benefit from such an important event. The move to 2021 is a must for this to happen, and we’re looking forward to presenting our very latest innovations to the UK again next year.”

Martina Schwarz, international sales and marketing, CAD+T, comments: “The UK furniture design and manufacturing industry is an extremely important market for CAD+T. We completely agree with the exhibition moving to 2021 and we’re looking forward to showcasing our CAD/CAM software solutions next year.”

Biesse’s Andrew Baker notes: “We fully support the move of the W20 show and appreciate the effort made by the organisers to secure a date that is realistic in terms of future show success as well as for the industry as a whole, considering the added complications with showing machinery in a noisy environment and respecting the social distancing within a short

planning window.

“This also allows us to focus on our short- to medium-term business plans without having the additional pressure of organising participation at a show.”

David Thomson-Rowlands of RW Machines says: “We fully support the new 2021 dates for The W Exhibition, as announced by the organiser. In essence, it was a no-brainer. We need this industry platform, but not within a year where the uncertainty and restrictions surrounding Covid-19 will still be in force. We’re very much looking forward to getting back to The W Exhibition in September 2021.”

JJ Smith MD Guy Stanley adds: “Whilst it is disappointing that we won’t have the show this year, we fully support it being rescheduled to September 2021, by which time we hope all our customers will be looking forward to attending what should be one of the biggest and best W events to date.”

The W Exhibition has over 40 years of heritage, and continues to grow. It will return to the NEC for its biennial four-day showcase from September 26-29th 2021. The show brings together some of the world’s leading suppliers of woodworking machinery, materials and tooling. www.wexhibition.co.uk

Editor’s comment:

As part of our ongoing media partnership with Montgomery, organiser of The W Exhibition – Furniture & Joinery Production will once again be producing the official show catalogue... further details to follow in due course

26/08/2020 15:27

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26/08/2020 15:27

16 NEWS

Consumer interest in furniture at all-time high following lockdown Consumer interest in furniture and home improvement is at an all-time high, according to new Google data research from homes and interiors PR specialist JWC. UK searches for ‘furniture’, ‘bathroom’ and ‘kitchen’ within Google’s Homes and Gardens category peaked in the months following lockdown, and are still trending higher than at any time since records began in 2004.

The search engine data also shows searches for home improvement information and products more than tripled since lockdown – compared to the same time last year, while some terms such as ‘staircase’ and ‘timber windows’ have seen a decline in interest.

JWC director John Warburton says: “Consumer interest in home improvement projects has spiralled during the coronavirus crisis.

Consumers with holidays cancelled, the prospect of summer spent at home and no clear end in sight have moved home improvement projects up their to-do list and reallocated their budgets.

“The issue for manufacturers and consumer-facing businesses is navigating the tricky problem of logistics and delivering not only a great product but setting examples in terms of how to respond to the market at this incredibly challenging time.”

The Cheshire-based PR specialist carried out research using the Google Trends platform, which takes account of over 3.5 billion searches each day. Instead of giving exact search volumes, Google Trends gives a normalised score of between 0 and 100 to show how often the terms are searched over time.

The terms ‘kitchen’ and ‘bathroom’ reached all-time highs in July, up

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around +30% on the same time last year, but have been steadily climbing since joint low-points in 2010 at the end of the recession.

Other terms reaching all-time highs include ‘plantation shutters’ and ‘dining furniture’.

Searches for ‘bedroom furniture’ peaked in June at the highest point since Jan 2018, while interest in the term ‘staircases’ in the homes

“UK searches for ‘furniture’, ‘bathroom’ and ‘kitchen’ within Google’s Homes and Gardens category peaked in the months following lockdown, and are still trending higher than at any time since records began in 2004”

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and garden category have been in steady decline since a peak in 2005. Searches for ‘joinery’ have remained steady over time, but are up on last year.

Interest in ‘wooden windows’ peaked in 2004, dipped in the recession and have remained constant at around 35% of the 2004 peak. They are currently up slightly on last year. However, searches for ‘timber windows’ have been in decline since 2004.

Interest in ‘bespoke furniture’ sank to an all-time low immediately following lockdown, with April being the lowest recorded month for searches of the term since 2008. It rose again in May and June, but is still marginally down on the same

time last year.

However, searches for ‘handmade furniture’, though lower than ‘bespoke furniture,’ hit their highest since 2014 in July and June this year, and ‘home office’ is at its highest since 2005, with searches more than doubling in the last 12 months.

John adds: “It’s insightful to see the fluctuations over time, with bathroom and kitchen interest remaining strong and rallying out of recession, while interest in staircases has waned, which is quite surprising. Interest in furniture remains strong, and overall the news should be reassuring to manufacturers and retailers.” www.jwcpr.com

26/08/2020 15:28

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26/08/2020 15:28

18 NEWS

CBI says manufacturing downturn eases after survey-record dip Manufacturer output volumes in the three months to August continued to fall quickly, but the pace of decline eased somewhat from last month’s survey record decline. That’s according to the latest CBI monthly Industrial Trends Survey.

The survey of 278 manufacturers found that output volumes declined in 16 of 17 sub-sectors, with the headline drop in output being primarily driven by the mechanical engineering, food, drink and tobacco, and motor vehicles and transport equipment sub-sectors.

Both total and export order books remained well below their long-run averages.

Looking ahead, manufacturers expect output to fall at a much slower pace in the next three months. Firms also anticipate output prices in the next three months to fall at a modest pace.

Anna Leach, CBI deputy chief economist, said: “This has been

Anna Leach, the CBI’s deputy chief economist

another difficult month for manufacturers. Activity continues to be poor and order books severely depressed, although the worst of the decline seems to be behind us.

“It is a relief to see the pressure on manufacturers starting to ease. As the sector looks to rebuild from the

economic shock, the Government must consider additional ways to support this sector to help reinforce a recovery, such as grants and further business rates relief.

“As we head into the autumn months, a coherent plan to ensure the manufacturing sector is resilient to a potential second wave and to the challenge of adapting to a new trading relationship with the EU is vital.”

Tom Crotty, Group Director at INEOS and Chair of the CBI Manufacturing Council, said: “The survey results show some early signs of the manufacturing downturn bottoming out, but it is clear that many firms remain in distress and the sector looks set for a challenging Autumn.

“As the government looks to economic recovery, it is crucial that it continues to support firms through the difficult months ahead, and work with us to build a more resilient manufacturing sector.”

KEY FINDINGS Output

Output volumes in the three months to August (-46%) fell sharply, although the pace moderated on July’s survey-record decline (-59%).

Output dropped in 16 out of 17 subsectors, with the headline decline driven primarily by the mechanical engineering, food, drink and tobacco, and motor vehicles and transport equipment sub-sectors.

Manufacturers expect output to fall at a much slower pace in the next three months (-10%).

Order books

Total order books remained considerably weaker (-44%), than their long-run average (-14%). Export order books (-60%) strengthened slightly from July (-64%) but continue to be far below their longrun average (-18%).

Prices

Manufacturers expect output prices to decline at a modest pace in the next three months (-5% from +4% in July).

Stocks

Stock adequacy (+21% from +19% in July) remained above its long-run average (+13%).

IHS Markit / CIPS Flash UK Manufacturing PMI update At 55.3 in August, up from 53.3 in July, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS Flash UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – a composite single-figure indicator of manufacturing performance – posted above the crucial 50.0 no-change threshold for the third month running.

Moreover, the latest PMI reading signalled the fastest improvement in overall business conditions since February 2018. Strong expansions of production volumes and incoming new work were the main factors boosting the headline index during August.

Manufacturing output increased at the steepest pace since April

2014, which highlighted a continued recovery from the low point seen in the second quarter of 2020.

Goods producers noted that easing lockdown measures had led to a restart of their supply chains and efforts by customers to replenish inventories.

Despite reporting another month

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of welcome improving demand, the latest data would seem to indicate a steep and accelerated fall in employment.

Moreover, business optimism eased slightly since July as some manufacturers began to cite worries about the sustainability of the recovery over the longer term.

26/08/2020 15:28

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20 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Working through the chaos to a new normal On March 23rd this year, life as we knew it changed. In an unprecedented move, Boris Johnson announced that the UK was being placed into a national lockdown in an attempt to limit the spread of coronavirus. Initially, of course, our thoughts will rightly go out to families who have been directly affected by this awful virus.

Thousands of businesses were stopped in their tracks during lockdown, and localised lockdowns continue around the UK and some of us will be caught up in that. It appears that these restrictions – and potentially others – will be with us for some time to come, continuing the uncertainty.

But in my opinion, the furniture and joinery manufacturing sector has shown its strength of character with an ability to adapt conditions in the workplace – and through most of the past five months, production has continued for many. Undoubtedly, businesses have been tested in a manner we have not experienced before.

A healthy number of furniture companies have demonstrated their flexibility during the pandemic by re-directing skills and energies to alternative sectors. There has also been positive news from many quarters of the industry – both manufacturers and suppliers – which, for a variety of reasons, have been thriving throughout this period. On the other hand, some were forced to pause operations or others had to close down altogether On the following pages, we present a number of articles and updates from a variety of suppliers and manufacturers. Please let me know how your business has come through these circumstances – I welcome your contributions to share over the coming months.

John Legg, editor

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With rising revenues through the pandemic, a Jarrow furniture manufacturer is expecting turnover to march beyond £4m this year, after using state-of-the-art VR technology to revamp its workshop and chip away at lead times.

Factory investment applies expert finish for furniture maker From left: Ken Teears, SAM project manager and Kevin Johnston, managing director of Funky Chunky Furniture

Funky Chunky Furniture, which manufactures its handmade furniture and shelving product range at its 1200m2 Jarrow workshop, revamped its entire facility last year after receiving support from the Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing (SAM) Project.

Employing 24 people, the firm reported three consecutive record months during the pandemic – with sales topping £350,000 in June – thanks to the introduction of new machinery and processes allowing it to significantly reduce lead times and increase output by over +30%.

Working with academics and manufacturing experts from the SAM Project, Funky Chunky Furniture utilised state-of-the-art VR and simulation software to completely redesign

its workshop and explore how it could use floorspace to maximise output and reduce costs.

This helped the company mitigate the majority of the challenges brought about by the pandemic, allowing production to flow seamlessly while the UK home improvement boom led to soaring demand for its products from customers across the UK and Europe.

Kevin Johnston, founder and MD, says: “The company has grown YoY since we launched in 2013 and we’d been considering revamping our processes for some time, until we were introduced to the team at SAM. “Originally, we had an idea of how we wanted to do it. However, being able to use state-of-

“Having reported three record months during the pandemic, Kevin and the team are predicting turnover to more than double in the next year – from £1.9m to over £4m – and are sparking a recruitment drive in a bid to match its ambitions”

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the-art VR and simulation technology allowed us to map out our workshop digitally and use the software to visualise how we could move our machines around, ensuring we maximised lead times and identified bottlenecks up front, without actually having to halt production and move a single machine.

“Not only did this allow us to continue operating while we transformed the workshop, but it also helped us identify and invest in new automated machinery that slashed sanding and waxing times, while eliminating the bottlenecks across production lines.

“The support we received has been fantastic and has helped take the business to the next level.”

Having reported three record months during the pandemic, Kevin and the team are predicting turnover to more than double in the next year – from £1.9m to over £4m – and are embarking on a recruitment drive in a bid to match their ambitions.

Kevin adds: “We’re forecast to double our turnover this year, which is really exciting.

We’ve invested in a major rebrand and have significantly ramped up our marketing efforts

›

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22 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

over the past 12 months which, combined with this expansion, we’re confident will stand us in good stead.

“We’re also looking to bring on board another 12 members of staff, which will take our headcount to 35/36, as we look to capitalise on this growth and ensure we grow at a sustainable rate. However, we also need to make sure we bring the right people in so that we can maintain our company culture – but I suppose that’s all part of running a growing business.”

SAM offers four key support functions to businesses that are gearing up to grow, including: access to technical expertise, with industrial specialists using their skill and expertise to guide businesses through the process of understanding and implementing technology; R&D, with a team of researchers able to support with the development of new products and processes; factories and facilities, including access to £1m of industry-leading advanced technology and equipment; and its grants scheme, which offers financial assistance to businesses that qualify.

Ken Teears, project manager at SAM, comments: “We are delighted to have been able to work with Kevin and the team at Funky Chunky Furniture to not only explore the possibilities of VR but also to invest in the machinery required to take the business to the next level.

“As an SME that manufactures its entire product range here in the North East, it’s a real success story for the region’s manufacturing sector, and Kevin is a perfect example of what can be achieved when business owners

›

“The support we received has been fantastic, and has helped take the business to the next level”

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26/08/2020 15:28

23

embrace new technologies and continue to innovate, even during the most testing times.”

As well as its comprehensive suite of support, the SAM Project is in the final couple of months of its phase 1 grant scheme, which includes funding for innovation projects as well as an adapted grant scheme to help SME manufacturers looking to pivot during the pandemic. SAM is urging eligible businesses to apply for funding before time runs out. There is less than £100k of funding remaining in phase 1, so companies need to act quickly to receive funding over the summer.

The fund provides support to companies that have had to diversify or adapt in order to stay in business and operational during and after Covid-19, with match-funding grants of up to £10,000 available, as well as the company’s normal funding stream to support businesses looking to diversify, or improve products and processes in order to grow.

Applications can be for new capital equipment or external expertise – excluding working capital, salaries, rent or rates – to help a company survive, adapt and sustain itself through and after the crisis. Companies looking to innovate and grow are still encouraged to apply, even if their capital investment is not specifically as a result of Covid-19.

This could include buying capital kit to help diversify income, bringing outsourced processes and parts manufacture in-house (such as re-shoring parts made overseas to safeguard supply chains), improvements

required in manufacturing operations as a result of social distancing measures and Government guidelines, or any manufacturingand production-specific capital investment to help the company diversify, stay afloat or take advantage of changes in market conditions.

Grants are offered at a 50% rate in County Durham and 40% rate in Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The current grant fund ends in September 2020.

Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing is a collaboration between the European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF) and University of Sunderland, and was set up to support North East (LEP) SME manufacturers to explore and introduce new technology to improve their products or processes. It was funded with a £2.6m commitment from ERDF and £2.5m from the University of Sunderland, and is aimed solely at small- and medium-sized manufacturers (fewer than 250 employees), with an annual turnover of less than €50m (approximately £45m) www.funky-chunky-furniture.co.uk www.samprojectuos.co.uk

Coleridge dining room

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24 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

A Wakefield company which designs and manufactures foam mattresses has helped the NHS meet the urgent need for thousands of extra beds by dedicating all production to its healthcare division and mobilising its entire workforce, which worked 24 hours a day to meet demand.

Yorkshire mattress manufacturer works round the clock to supply NHS GNG Group, a specialist foam manufacturer of sports, healthcare, safety and mattress products, paused production in all other divisions in order to enable a 90-strong team to focus on production of healthcare mattresses destined for the NHS Nightingale project and several key NHS suppliers manufacturing hospital beds.

Having recently been awarded key supplier status by the NHS, GNG’s 40,000ft2 production facility operated three shifts, 24/7, and increased the capacity of its healthcare division tenfold.

“We saw a rapid increase in orders to help meet the critical care needs of the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 and, like hundreds of companies throughout the UK, were committed to doing everything we can to help,” explains GNG Group MD Phil Whittell. “We have a skilled and committed team here who have risen to the challenge, enabling us to supply thousands of healthcare mattresses in one month alone.

“I have never felt prouder of our production team.

You can feel the passion and determination to get the orders out as quickly as possible. My fouryear-old son Facetimes me every morning at 7am so he can see the mattresses being made, and my daughter, a frontline NHS nurse, said ‘it’s amazing what you and your company are doing, we really need these products – we are all in this together!’”

David Hampton, director of production

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Camelia Vranceanu, medical fabrics department

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25

Michael Bown (foreground), healthcare assembly team

“Incredibly, we received the equivalent of six months of orders inthe space of just five days. The entire team, from administration staff through to production, worked flat-out to meet this demand for critical products – they even volunteered to work over the Easter bank holidays to keep production running. This was the biggest challenge the company has faced in its 45-year history, and I am extremely proud of the part our staff are playing in helping the NHS during this healthcare crisis.”

As well as having thousands of healthcare mattresses on order for the UK, GNG also received enquiries from Europe and the US. Phil continues: “It’s fantastic to see companies throughout the NHS supply chain pulling together to increase production of vital equipment, and I think the staff in these businesses, who are sometimes overlooked, deserve a huge thank you for their heroic efforts.”

GNG Group is also supporting Food 4 Heroes by donating funds to the initiative, which provides free meals to NHS staff at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, and is to be rolled out to other hospitals. www.gnggroup.co.uk

“The NHS plays a massive part in all our lives at some point and it’s great to be able to give a bit back, especially as my mum is poorly at the minute. I love it that I am making a difference and playing my part in the fight against Covid-19” Tommy Nelson, print department

Chris Monaghan, CNC operative, Medical Foams

Dave Holdsworth, transport dept (left) and Keith Aveyard, GNG supervisor

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“Being a key worker feels good, it makes me proud to know that we‘re helping the NHS in a time of need. It’s nice to have a feeling of accomplishment, but also to see all my colleagues pulling together to help one another” Jade Hammond, trade division

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26 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Fuse Contract Furniture (Blackburn), Integral Surface Design (Skelmersdale), Starlight Bedrooms (Bolton) and Inscape Interiors (Chorley) have begun working with the North West technology adoption pilot to help them introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, as well as navigate the impact of Covid-19.

Made Smarter – helping SMEs join the Industry 4.0 revolution and navigate the impact of Covid-19 Almost 950 SME manufacturers have secured support, including specialised advice and £2.5m of funding, since the launch of Made Smarter 18 months ago.

This support includes expert, impartial technology advice, digital roadmapping workshops to help manufacturers take their first steps to transform their business, a leadership development programme developed in partnership with Lancaster University, and funded digital technology internships.

104 of the businesses have now secured

Donna Edwards, programme director for the Made Smarter North West pilot

matched funding for 115 projects and are forecast to deliver an additional £100m in gross value added (GVA) for the North West economy over the next three years.

Some manufacturers are developing projects using technologies which enable them to integrate systems, capture and analyse data, and even create simulations of their plants and processes. Others are using 3D printing, automation and robotics to solve business challenges and meet increased demand.

By adopting cutting-edge technologies, these businesses benefit from improved productivity and revenue, increased exports and job creation, an upskilled workforce, lower energy bills, and a reduced carbon footprint.

Rob Barrows-Langford, operations director for Starlight Bedrooms, says: “We are thrilled to have the support of Made Smarter in driving forward a technology project which will bring real value to our company and customers. The project will unlock growth potential and deliver enhanced resource efficiency and employment opportunities.”

Donna Edwards, programme director for the Made Smarter North West pilot, comments:

f

“Reaching 104 businesses and 115 funded projects is a fantastic achievement – and there is much more to come.

“Over the last 18 months the Made Smarter team has engaged with hundreds of makers from every corner of the region, offering specialist advice about the benefits to adopting new digital technology.

“I am thrilled that so many firms of all sizes have tapped into our expertise to help them select the right approach for their business, how much to invest and which technologies will bring the greatest benefits.

“The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on manufacturing and resulted in widespread repercussions for the economy. Manufacturers have reacted and adapted to the different circumstances they find their businesses facing, and technology has been at the heart of that response.

“While there is uncertainty, what is clear is that Made Smarter is needed more than ever to help SMEs maintain their competitive edge using technology to come back smarter and navigate the future.” www.madesmarter.uk

Bolton-based Starlight Bedrooms is working with the North West technology adoption pilot to help it introduce digital tools and technologies to help boost productivity and growth, as well as navigate the impact of Covid-19

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28 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Combilift’s wide range of multi-directional forklifts, pedestrian stackers, Aisle Master articulated trucks and straddle carriers has enabled thousands of customers around the world to achieve safer, space-saving and more productive handling and storage procedures.

Space optimisation for safe distancing Alongside these innovative products, a free service that has long been offered by the Irish manufacturer is a warehouse layout and material flow consultation to ensure that customers make the best possible use of their space – one of their most precious commodities.

In the current circumstances, when businesses face the challenges of implementing social distancing, advice from Combilift’s team of design engineers is more valuable than ever.

Speaking during a recent virtual press conference, Martin McVicar, CEO and co-founder of Combilift, outlined the company’s new approach, which uses technology to replace personal site visits, enabling customers to continue to benefit from Combilift’s expertise at a time when space optimisation is crucial.

Overcoming challenges for manufacturers One consequence of the coronavirus for Combilift’s customers in the manufacturing sector in particular has been the challenge to get back to normal output levels while creating extra space in production areas so that employees maintain safe distances from each other.

Combilift’s expertise in the design and layout of premises can help overcome these challenges 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.

Virtual and digital consultation Combilift’s free design and layout service has always been a strong tool for resolving problems for customers and enabling them to maximise

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space. These were previously carried out by technical personal visits, but have now been replaced with a remote system.

Using technology developed in-house, as well as WhatsApp calls with customers while they walk around the premises and take shots of specific areas, Combilift’s design engineers can get a good overview of requirements.

Using measurements supplied by clients they can supply 3D designs and animations within a very short timeframe.

“We have seen a much-increased take-up of this free warehouse service,” says Martin. “Many companies are not encouraging vendor visits, but they are making time available to communicate with us. Within 24 hours of speaking to a customer we can produce a 3D design.”

Safety measures at the manufacturing plant To ensure continued production, Combilift has introduced a two-shift system instead of its traditional one-shift operation. This means that there are only around 350 employees per shift on site in the 46,500m² manufacturing facility.

It has also segregated the plant into eight segments. Employees are scanned by thermal cameras when they arrive on-site, and if their temperature is above normal this is signalled to the HR department as well as the employee.

Clocking in is now done via a touchless key fob, and doors are kept open whenever possible. Those that cannot remain permanently open have been fitted with copper coatings, which significantly reduces the time that a virus can be harboured on the surface compared to steel.

There are multiple hand sanitisers strategically placed across the whole facility, floor markings indicate the 2m distance to be maintained by employees, and it is mandatory to wear face masks. The company has closed its main hot canteen and has opened smaller canteens in the eight new factory segments.

“I give regular updates by video, instead of the personal staff assemblies that we previously did every six weeks, and this ongoing communication ensures that employees are continually informed and therefore understand that the measures we are taking are in everyone’s best interests,” says Martin.

Watch a video of the measures Combilift has implemented here: https://youtu.be/ y2hmwFQ6baU www.combilift.com

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Director Alex Dalton and operator trainer Warren Handley offer training guidance in this challenging environment.

Tips for delivering effective training in the Covid era “Training operates almost like a second business within us,” says Alex Dalton. “We have three full-time trainers and were set to hire a fourth before Covid-19 hit earlier this year. It had seen a great deal of growth – because it is a legal requirement – to the point that we were delivering machine and power tool training to businesses right across the UK and Ireland.

“Most manufacturing companies closed their doors in March and have only re-opened fairly recently. Procedures and risk assessments have been put in place, allowing firms to operate as close to normal as possible. That, however, has been a little tougher to achieve with on-site and external training.

“Due to its very nature, training is handson, and it’s hard to get away from that. We work with different machines, different tools, and different manufacturers – tailoring all the courses according to the needs of our customers and clients.

“In a Covid-19 environment, however, with social distancing measures that are in place, there are challenging hurdles that businesses, like ours, need to get over, to deliver training not only to the same high standard but safely, too.

“As with every aspect of our business, we carried out a rigorous risk assessment and produced suitable method statements that allowed us to carry out training, both on-site with customers or even right here at our own Nottingham-based workshop – depending on which was the safest approach.

“We’re starting to see the demand for the training rise again. But how can businesses like ours carry it out safely?”

Deal with the early sense of apprehension head on Warren Handley has 36 years of experience working and training in the woodworking industry, and shares his insight into best practice, and how manufacturers can deliver their expertise safely to their customers, clients, and colleagues. He says: “Training, before Covid-19, was fairly fast paced, and was immensely important to clients and customers.

“No one job is the same. We could be spending several days with businesses training multiple colleagues across multiple machines, or working with a smaller company to train all its operators across a number of machines in one go.

“Like many, however, I could only watch as my calendar got decimated. Everything that was booked was cancelled or put on hold, and shortly after that, I was put on furlough. Training dropped off the radar completely.

“None of us have experienced anything like

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L to r: director Alex Dalton and operator trainer, Warren Handley

this before, and there’s still certainly a sense that we’re all treading water. In the beginning, when we were starting to phase training back into the business, I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a feeling of apprehension about what delivering that training was going to be like and whether it could be realistically delivered safely.

“That apprehension, however, disappeared after we discussed the logistics of how it would work, and since delivering the first course, it has become second nature.”

Above all else, comfort is key “The most important factor is comfort – on both sides of the coin,” says Warren. “You can’t have people working and learning on these dangerous machines if they are not comfortable with it.

“Even before arriving, talk to the client to make sure you’re aware of their internal practices.

There are varying degrees when it comes to procedures. Every business has got a plan in place, but some are stricter than others.

“Naturally, training takes longer to complete under these circumstances, so be prepared to remain with a business for as long as is required to deliver the course to the highest possible standard.

“Typically, if you have got five machines to run through, you’re working with groups of up to four people and if it takes four days to go through that, then so be it.”

Pivoting to provide socially-distanced demonstrations “The first thing we did was reduce the number of demonstrations we would hold per day. It’s important not to rush through training when these Covid-19 measures have been put in place,” says Warren.

“The way demonstrations take place has changed as well. Having smaller groups makes it easier to truly demonstrate and explain what you’re showing.

“Changing the blades on a machine is a perfect example of a demonstration that

requires the trainees to get closer so they can see exactly what is being done.

“It’s time to switch that up. A new process is required. Tell the trainees exactly what you’re going to do, actually perform it, and then invite the operators to see what has been done, oneby-one, after stepping away.

“Admittedly, the process is slower and longer and requires more explaining, but if this is what it takes to help operators understand clearly what needs to be done, that is ultimately what we are there for.

“Make the most of your environment and be willing to compromise. Every job is completely different, and that includes the workshops we deliver the training in.

“Some are spacious. Some are not. And you have to adapt accordingly and even be prepared to make sacrifices to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those you’re working with. For example, we recently trained an operator on a machine that was located in a large, spacious, area within a client’s workshop, doing so even though there was a better machine to have trained on.

“Why? Because the better machine was located in a more refined area, which would have compromised the safety of the operators and broken social distancing rules.

“The environment is as important as the training you’re delivering. If you don’t get that right, you will never teach anyone anything.”

Don’t forget your own flask of tea!

“I don’t carry tea around, but I do carry water, and that has been my saving grace – especially when I’m talking all day like most trainers do,” says Warren.

“That said, I would definitely advise you to bring a flask of coffee or tea with you. With the rules in place, most complimentaries a business would offer you on arrival are no longer there.”

Final thoughts “Training has changed, and it is anyone’s guess as to how long it is going to be like this for,” concludes Warren.

“It doesn’t mean, however, that training cannot be delivered effectively. Smaller focus groups can help trainers get their messages and demonstrations across easier, while making compromises – like training on a different machine even if it’s technically not a better one – to benefit health and safety is going to be the norm for the foreseeable.

“It’s about making the most of your environment, introducing a level of comfort suitable for everyone involved. Get that right, and you will get your training right.” www.daltonswadkin.com

26/08/2020 15:28

30 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Following recent changes to the UK Government’s guidelines on Covid-19, TM Machinery Sales & TM Services has announced the full re-opening of its sales and servicing division.

TM Machinery – open for business!

“Over the last eight weeks, we have followed the advice given to us by the UK Government and World Health Organisation and have continued to support our customers remotely,” explains Matt Pearce, MD of TM Machinery. “Now, with strict health and safety measures in place, our team are working with our customers to carry out contact-free machinery installations and maintenance across the UK. “We have adapted our operation and put a number of measures in place to ensure our colleagues, customers and suppliers feel safe and protected while they are at work.

“These changes include significantly reducing contact with others wherever possible and continuing to adhere to social distancing and hygiene guidelines in the workplace. Staff have also been supplied with PPE – a company requirement for all those taking part in machinery demonstrations and site visits – and an additional checklist has been compiled for those working in customer-facing roles.

“These measures will allow us to run efficiently whilst protecting the health and wellbeing of our staff and those that come into contact with them.

We will continue to work with our customers to adhere to their own in-house policies, and we thank everyone for demonstrating extra care and consideration at this time. We will continue

to monitor the situation closely and keep our customers up to date with any ongoing changes.”

0116 271 7155 www.tmmachinery.co.uk

Mas Ma

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32 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Following changes to the UK Government’s guidelines on Covid-19, Weinig UK announced the final phase of its re-opening, which took place on 8th June.

Weinig UK – open for business

Over the preceding eight weeks, Weinig UK continued to support its UK customers during the pandemic with a free remote assistance service, a technical hotline and online support services.

With the further easing of lockdown confirmed, Weinig UK modified its business framework and adopted new working practises to ensure the health and safety of its staff, customers and suppliers while remaining committed to its customers and responsive to their needs.

On-site servicing and breakdowns An engineer to service a machine can now be booked by contacting Weinig’s servicing department. Weinig UK’s nationwide team is operating in line with a strict Covid-19 policy and adhering to Government guidelines at all times.

To ensure the ongoing health and safety of its staff, customers and suppliers, each visit will

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be assessed individually, and customers will be asked to fill out a form prior to the engineer’s arrival.

Alternatively, engineers can be contacted remotely about technical or maintenance issues, reducing the need for a site visit.

Demos and showroom visits Machinery demonstrations are available for new and existing customers. Appointments must be made prior to arrival, and a designated time slot will be allocated to ensure the safety of the party.

PPE will also be provided, and machinery will be cleaned before and after each demonstration takes place. Alternatively, interested parties can see the latest virtual machinery demonstrations on Weinig UK’s website and social media channels.

Spare parts service Weinig UK stocks a wide range of spare parts

in its UK headquarters – prior to 8th June, the tooling department continued to receive regular shipments from its suppliers and offered quick turnaround times on all orders. Customers can continue to purchase spare parts and accessories by calling Weinig’s dedicated spare parts team.

Malcolm Cuthbertson, MD of Michael Weinig (UK), adds: “The health and wellbeing of our staff, customers and suppliers is of utmost importance. Weinig UK’s Covid-19 in-house policy has been put in place to ensure we remain safe and well during this time, whilst continuing to offer ongoing support and a much-needed service to our customers.

“We thank everyone for adhering to these measures and for demonstrating extra care and consideration at this time, and we look forward to welcoming our customers back to work once more.” www.weinig.co.uk

26/08/2020 15:28

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34 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Could your business benefit from an ongoing advice and support service in the wake of Covid-19? For over 30 years, CAD+T Consulting has worked with furniture manufacturers to guide, support and develop new corporate practices and future-proof businesses across Europe. Now, with the global economy taking a serious hit, CAD+T’s consultancy service is on hand for those who want to take advantage of a changing market.

CAD+T – helping the industry embrace change “In recent months, it has been a case of sink or swim for many businesses around the world,” begins Dr Andreas Undesser, head of consulting at CAD+T Consulting. “Every business in every sector has had to adapt in some shape or form, and the furniture industry is no exception. The market continues to change, and with this comes a need to remodel internal structures and business strategies.

“Right now, the focus is on how to adjust businesses to secure a long-term future. It’s a hugely challenging and time-consuming task to embark on, but that’s where our consultancy specialists come in.”

Each member of CAD+T’s consultancy team has over 20 years of industry experience, and their specialities include everything from product management and subsidy management to human resource management and management consulting. They also have a deep understanding of the furniture manufacturing industry.

Andreas adds: “We work in a very particular field and we have to know and understand the challenges our customers may face. A solid background in the industry is crucial.”

The process begins with a free consultation that offers both sides a better understanding of each other and an opportunity to discuss the specialist support that may be needed. Andreas explains: “We begin every job with a blank piece of paper and three questions: where is the company now? Where does it want to be? And how can we implement new business strategies to get the results it wants in the short, mid and long term? No business is the same and, therefore, no answer is ever the same.”

Solutions could range from changing the product offering, to entering new markets, integrating new technology into its business or adjusting the internal or external structure of the business in order to move forward effectively.

Alternatively, it could require CAD+T’s specialists to recruit, train and develop new staff, offer interim management or assist with audits. The scope is huge.

“It’s our job to analyse your current situation, identify areas of weakness and strength, develop strategies and successfully implement new processes, workflows, structures and systems. We can even help our customers apply for international funding and national and regional grants that will help finance future developments,” says Andreas.

“Change management takes time but is a crucial component for success. That’s why we have a long-term commitment to our clients. We

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work closely with our clients to complete each stage of the plan and overcome the operational, technical and human challenges we may face along the way. This requires trust on both sides and a willingness to accept change. If we can achieve this, we’re halfway to achieving our goal.”

Andreas adds: “In the current climate, we are seeing a large number of companies approaching us. Many don’t have the time or resources to restructure their business themselves, but they do want to benefit from specialist support in order for them to take advantage of new opportunities. We understand the challenges our industry is facing and we’re here to help you grow and strengthen your business and remain competitive in these unprecedented times.” www.cadt-consulting.com

26/08/2020 15:28

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17/08/2020 15:28 14:43 26/08/2020

36 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

More than 4000 online guests from 100 countries took part in SCM’s recent live-streaming event, which featured presentations and in-depth discussions with SCM’s experts on the latest technological new entries dedicated to the entire wood industry …

Huge success for high technology in action at the SCM Live Show The television show, with more than 24 hours of original content, livestreaming worldwide in nine languages, across three days from 30th June to 2nd July, presented the latest 2020 technologies that should have ‘taken to the stage’ at the various international trade fairs that were postponed or cancelled since February due to the ongoing pandemic emergency.

It was a genuine challenge for SCM, the multinational group with its main headquarters in Rimini, a leader in the wood machining industry since 1952. With the SCM Live Show event, SCM decided to use multimedia channels and tools to ‘open the doors’ of its headquarters in Italy, via the internet, to thousands of customers from all over the world.

SCM brought new machines and industrial plants for the entire wood machining industry directly to manufacturers’ desktops – from the furniture and joinery industry to the construction industry and artisanal businesses.

The corporate headquarters in Rimini, and the group’s other production sites around Italy, were transformed into television studios to achieve the vast show schedule of live link-ups, webinars and talk shows. Thirty product webinars saw more than 50 technological solutions take centre stage to represent the vast range of SCM products and services, starting with the Smart&Human Factory, the well-known humanfriendly digital factory for the furniture industry.

SCM’s 18 directly managed branches, operating in the most strategic markets in the

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Luigi De Vito, SCM Division Director

wood industry around the world, in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, America and Oceania, were also involved with live link-ups.

The response from industry businesses was even better than expected, if one looks at the access data to the streaming platform set up by SCM for the occasion – over 4000 registrations from 100 countries on every continent, with an average daily audience of 1500 individual viewers.

The same customers who enrolled took part actively, constantly using the various channels made available during the event to interact with

SCM’s experts and discuss the latest products and key industry trends. This is clear from the hundreds of in-depth questions on the various technologies that were asked, as well as contact requests via the streaming platform during the live broadcast, and from which important opportunities have arisen, and followed up by specific visits to customers from the SCM sales team.

The event content is still available on the platform, and contacts from clients all over the world looking for more in-depth information and new appointments continue to arrive, reports SCM. The commitment in terms of human resources was also considerable. More than 50 professionals were hired for this unique digital trade fair, including camera operators, technicians, writers, a director and presenter.

More than 100 SCM employees were also involved in the preparation and creation of the show. During the event, SCM received invaluable participation from some of some of its long-standing customers such as Maurizio Riva, owner of Riva1920 from Cantù (Como), who supplied the exclusive design furnishings for the television studio in Rimini during the event.

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SCM premium high technology in action The numerous technological new entries displayed – integrated standalone cells and machines – satisfy the most varied production needs of secondary wood processing. As ever, there was a focus on the most wide-ranging, sought-after collection of joinery machines, with a new cell for sizing, drilling and edgebanding, and the exclusive launch of a new app for artisan workers.

The Smart&Human Factory for the furniture industry Already presented at Ligna 2019, after numerous implementations in cutting-edge markets in Europe, the US and China, SCM’s Smart&Human Factory was shown again with new additions to further increase productivity and flexibility, reduce waste and optimise the quality of the end product, even in more sensitive markets.

The new version – only an example of the various configurations that this production model can achieve based on customer needs – involves three modular, flexible automated cells, integrated with articulated robots and interconnected by intelligent AMR unmanned shuttles.

Sizing/nesting cell The Morbidelli X200 nesting machining centre, designed for batch 1 flexible production, is directly integrated into the high-performing Flexstore hp automatic storage for boards.

This allows the stored and labelled panel to be directly loaded onto the worktable, which protects those panels with a delicate surface.

Once the nesting function has terminated, an articulated robot unloads the operating panel directly from the worktable and positions the different parts on the AMR shuttles, which depart towards the next cell for edgebanding.

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sheets. This function is carried out by the new Gabbiani P80 panel saw, that enjoyed its world preview at the event. This model offers a number of exclusive advantages – the Saw-set device for automatic, precise setting of the tools, the 60 and 80mm blade projections, more powerful motors, an additional extractor outlet on the presser and automatic blade release with switch.

Another new aspect concerns the management of smaller pieces and waste – the robot also picks these up, making them available for future made-to-order productions with a considerable reduction in waste material.

The cell is also designed so that all the panels’ delicate surfaces can be manually unloaded from the belt without problems.

The pack cut, made with a blade that guarantees high productivity on repetitive logical cuts, is done simultaneously to the nesting, which offers high flexibility when cutting single

Flexible edgebanding cell The new batch 1 Stefani Cell E cell is configured with an articulated robot for fully automatic management of panel loading/unloading operations. The solution combines the advantages of a customised production and large volumes with a compact overall design and, above all, accessible investment – even for SMEs. Parameters such as colour, edge thickness, the position and depth of the mortise, the management of the protective film and panel sizes can be continually changed without interrupting the production flow. With the new gantry panel return system for the automatic return of panels, the panel is automatically rotated to speed up the next in-feed. It will also be possible to unload at the end of the cycle in masked time with the next loop load.

Packaging cell This cell is the ideal solution for furniture kit manufacturers and includes two machines, which have seen their global preview: the Cut C200, an automatic punching machine for just-in-time cutting and production of an open cardboard box, with the required sizes and shape; and the Pack C100 automatic solution for packaging with hot melt glue, starting with a pre-punched sheet of cardboard.

All the operator has to do is position the product for packaging on the open box (in this case the panels coming from the edgebanding cell), after which the upper lid is automatically closed by the Pack C100. Thanks to the automatic measurement change setting, packagings can be created with different size boxes, positioned in sequence on the roller.

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38 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Integrated surface treatment Three examples of an integrated process for exclusive, sought-after finishing solutions were introduced at the SCM Live Show, demonstrating SCM’s capacity to make its mark on the market as a unique, complete partner in this sector.

Flexible painting cell The versatility of the finishing effects is guaranteed by the DMC Eurosystem sanding machine, now fitted with two new additions: a completely new planetary unit, ideal for structuring, chamfering, sanding the cross grain and precision finishing of any surface; and the interchangeable brush unit, ideal for those in search of maximum production flexibility.

The integration with the Superfici Mini sprayer is essential. It is ideal for the sprayer’s automation, even in small businesses, enabling the easy management of small production batches with regular product changes.

Painting panels with the latest 3D effects and super-opaque finishings This involves highly innovative solutions like the DMC System sanding machines, which transform the concept of a sanding machine in a flexible abrasive modular centre, and the Superfici Valtorta F1 roller and Magnum spray painting systems – a combination which allows the user to achieve some of the most soughtafter finishings requested by today’s market.

3D Lamination This integrated process example includes sanding, with innovative units for gouging and brushing in the DMC System range and the state-of-the-art Superfici systems for applying glue – namely, efficient Cartesian robots with the ability to 3D scan pieces for selective spraying of edges and routings.

The process concludes with the Sergiani 3D Form HP press, a solution with high productivity

levels and flexibility thanks to the Flexy Pin system and the configuration of the press up to three trays, which reduces the cycle time to the pressing time only, resulting in high definition of the end product, even with the most complex 3D surfaces.

Machining centres for furniture – the evolution of the Morbidelli range While the all-in-one Morbidelli M100 machining centre for drilling and routing evolves further with the new ultra-compact, reduced bulk solution, which makes the five-axis machine the smallest on the market, in the Morbidelli P800 boring-milling and edgebanding centre, the combination between the Matic worktable and the innovative operator unit allows the most complex shaped pieces to be machined in just a few steps.

For nesting, the Morbidelli X200/x400 range makes its mark by cutting pieces, even shaped ones, in a variety of forms and sizes with production levels once considered inconceivable for this kind of machining.

Flexibility and high productivity find their ideal synthesis in the drilling process with Morbidelli UX200. Thanks to four separate operator units (two upper and two lower), any kind of piece can be machined in a few steps. Furthermore, the possibility of machining two overlapping pieces means the production of symmetrical pieces can be doubled.

Panel sizing – the Gabbiani a2 world preview and the new Gabbiani GT2 As well as the Gabbiani P80 included in the Smart&Human Factory, the event presented another new world preview – the Gabbiani A2 angular panel saw, designed to meet all the demands of panel machining, from mass production to batch 1, and particularly suitable for companies that are more conscious of machine cleaning and the working environment,

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thanks to the innovative Zero Dust system unit.

The new Gabbiani A2 with 95-, 115- and 125-blade projection, offers maximum performance in terms of productivity and cutting quality.

The Gabbiani GT2 single-blade saw, designed to guarantee high performance in the evolved industrial context of just-in-time productions, was also highlighted. The new Hi-Tronic vertical stroke blade carriage, in particular, allows for impressive finishing and accurate cutting even at high speed, with surprising results in terms of productivity and cutting quality over time.

Edgebanding – 70 years of high technology alongside the most innovative businesses The SCM Live Show was also an opportunity to celebrate the 70-year anniversary of the Edgebanding Business Unit. It has been a long road, featuring high technology and know-how, at the side of artisan businesses just as much as large industries, thanks to a wide range of models – from the continually evolving singlesided Stefani and Olimpic edgebanders, to the cells and plants fitted with rollers, panel return devices, automatic loading and unloading systems, assisted by robots and fitted with IoT sensors for an increasingly more immediate confirmation of the machine’s running, in line with the demands of Industry 4.0.

These include the new generation of Stefani Cell and Stefani Rocket flexible industrial edgebanding systems for batch 1 machining, modular systems available for machining with or without panel squaring, capable of adapting to current production demands and machining quality.

Also highlighted were the most advanced models for Softforming, like Stefani One, designed to offer maximum personalisation in achieving design products.

Windows and doors – all the bonuses of the accord machining centres and the new range of Superset NT throughfeed moulders The Accord machining centres for the manufacturing of windows and doors was also highlighted during the SCM Live Show.

The latest evolution in the range, Accord 42 FX, attracts considerable interest, both from window and door manufacturers as well as door and staircase manufacturers. With combined three- and five-axis double machining units with independent heads, it has been designed to best combine the need for high power and profiling with creativity and production flexibility needs.

Unique quality and precision are the advantages of the Accord 25 FX, thanks to its gantry structure and powerful five-axis electro-spindle. The Matic worktable and the innovative BRC multi-function unit reduce setup and toolchange times, guaranteeing high productivity.

For larger pieces, the solution is represented by the Accord 50 fxm, which stands out for its structure, designed to guarantee maximum rigidity and precision, and its exclusive five-axis machining unit.

The most flexible machining centre in the

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category that can be used both in-cell as well as standalone mode is the Accord wd, SCM’s innovative solution that allows for the loading and unloading cycle of solid wood elements (like door and window structures) to be automated.

The Superset nt range for throughfeed moulding was updated for manufacturers of profiles for windows, doors, staircases and furniture. The structure of the new model allows the user to work in complete comfort and safety – relative supports allow them to hook the extractor hood covers directly onto the machine, millimetric rules simplify the manual positions of the operators’ drive heads and toolchange operations are always guided.

The doors in evolution process – pressing, panel squaring and edgebanding The SCM event closely examined the latest trends in the door industry and engineering solutions for intelligent, integrated production.

Solutions with different levels of automation and productivity up to a 1000 doors per shift were presented for pressing. These include the

Sergiani LAS continuous cycle automatic press for highly flexible intensive production of hollow core and veneered doors with a production capacity of one door every 20 seconds.

The Celaschi range of solutions for profiling and squaring to machine every kind of door with wooden frame and even special ones with fibreglass folders is also vast. From the range’s entry-level model – the Celaschi P30 manual loading and unloading double squaring machine, capable of guaranteeing squaring precision and measurements to the order of tenths of millimetres – to the lines fitted with Mahros loading and unloading moving systems for companies looking for top-quality productivity and flexibility in the profiles, even in the case of large sizes and weights up to 80kg.

Taking centre stage for flexible edgebanding of doors was the Stefani flex, capable of guaranteeing a continuous and efficient production loop, irrespective of the machining profile. This occurs thanks to integration with the Mahros automation system to manage automatic loading and unloading.

›

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40 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

› LVT Flooring Also taking centre stage on this front was the Celaschi range of solutions for profiling and squaring for any kind of flooring, which boasts exceptional quality thanks to the high-precision chains for which the Celaschi range boasts an experience spanning more than 70 years.

The turnkey lines, from automatic loading to packaging, can handle a wide variety of formats and guarantee state-of-the-art productivity of 100 pieces/min.

Machining centres for timber construction Also in the limelight at the SCM Live Show was SCM machining centres’ technological innovation for the timber construction industry, and their application in the construction of vast structures (bridges, covers for multi-storey buildings and skyscrapers, etc).

Of particular note were the Oikos x and Area machining centres. The first model, a six-axis model, is specific for machining structural beams, X-lam/CLT wall panels and large-scale columns, and was conceived with a view to maximising performance in terms of working volumes, dynamics and power.

The other machining centre, Area, on the other hand, is particularly suited to companies that need to work large-scale CLT panels with high levels of flexibility, precision and reliability.

2020 will see the technological development of SCM solutions designed for vast wooden constructions, in line with demands from a continually expanding market.

Machining centres for chairs, tables and furnishing accessories – the latest from the Balestrini range This was the first-ever preview of the new numerically controlled Balestrini Pico tenoningmortising machines, entirely redesigned to optimise safety, ergonomics and ease of use.

These include the Balestrini Pico FJ, one the most complete machines on the market for producing complex joints such as mitred doors, face frames and French joints on doors and shutters, and the Balestrini Pico OM, the small, all-purpose machine which shows how easily joining operations on elements like chairs and tables can be achieved.

Machining cell for artisans This cell to create cabinets, whose strong point is its highly competitive price, offers standalone solutions specific for both customdesigned productions and small series, for the evolved artisan – machines that guarantee high performance thanks to their significant technological content, to make even the most complex machining simple.

With a production capacity of around 30 pieces/shift, the cell is made up of: the Class PX 350i, a new mobile carriage circular saw with a

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tilting blade up to 46°, to machine in complete safety, with reduced sizes and a firm grip on the panel; the ME 40 high-productivity edgebander with exclusive rounding unit; and the Startech CN Plus, an automatic drilling-routing machine that makes its mark thanks to the significant power of the electrospindle on the drilling head and its high operating speed.

Also in the limelight was the new SCM Thundercut optimiser/sequencer, an app available on iOS and Android, which allows the user to optimise the surface of the panel and guide the operator through the cutting sequences to be made.

Digital software and services At the forefront of the SCM Live Show was also the Digital Integrated Woodworking Process, which demonstrated how software and digital services can assist the customer at each stage of the process in creating a piece of furniture – from the planning and preparation of the data, to machine production, right up to production monitoring, maintenance and after-sales service.

For the data preparation stage in the machinery, new programming software versions were presented for the Maestro CNC machining centres and Maestro Ottimo Cut cutting optimisation.

In response to production planning needs, SCM presented an MES solution integrated with the SCM machines to assist customers with programming and managing production flow.

The new HMI multi-touch Maestro active demonstrates how it is possible to have a controlled and even simpler, better interaction with the machine at the production stage.

Lastly, in support of the production monitoring stages, machine maintenance and after-sales service, the new Digital Services enabled by the Maestro connect platform were presented. www.scmgroup.com/en/scmwood/newsevents/press/pr116450/scm-live-show

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Leitz Tooling is still working to support the tooling and tool service needs of those trades working on vital NHS construction projects, as well as other projects ongoing across the UK.

Tools and support to keep you working, from Leitz Tooling UK Manufacturing and production on every scale has been disrupted across the UK and globally. Many businesses are continuing to manufacture, and Leitz continues to support the vital tooling services of as many as it can.

Until necessity or UK Government advice specifically instructs otherwise, Leitz Tooling service centres across the UK are open and meeting tooling needs.

Simon Liddell, MD of Leitz Tooling UK, says: “The health of our customers, our business partners and our employees is very important.

Our customers’ production processes depend on our tools and services, so we have put in place full measures to better enable us to work together so we can continue to reliably support businesses.”

The full information can be found on the Leitz website, but Simon explains the key points: “Please reach us in the usual way. Customers should contact their Leitz representative, and new enquiries can call or email our UK head office in Harlow. If you do not wish your Leitz representative to visit your premises, or if you need to arrange different frequencies of visit, please let us know.

“Gather all tooling scheduled for servicing by Leitz and put in a safe place near your factory entrance for our service drivers to collect. This reduces the risk of contact between our staff and yours.

“Our sales and service representatives wear gloves where practicable, sanitise their respective vehicles in the morning and evening, and will follow Government guidelines as appropriate.”

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Have you got the tools needed right now?

“Call Leitz,” says Simon. “We have increased our stock of popular consumable items and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

For customer-specific tools or profiles stock keeping, contact us now to confirm what you need to maintain your production.”

Do you need more tools than usual?

According to Simon: “The minimum

recommendation is to have one tool on, one tool waiting and one tool in service. However, we advise that you look at your consumable usage for up to three months. Remember to consider the impact on the cut quality and wasted product as a result of not having your tools serviced as regularly.

“Right now is a difficult time for everybody.

But you can also make it a productive time by preparing for when restrictions lift and planning how your business will respond. Productivity, efficiency, quality, waste reduction and flexibility will never have been so important, and the best place to see immediate results is with your tooling.

“Finally, today, like every day, we continue to raise funds for Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Haven House is a lifeline for hundreds of children and families. They are uncertain of what the future holds and they need our support now more than ever,” explains Simon.

“We will be back to our dedicated fundraising efforts as soon as we are able, under the tireless enthusiasm of our national sales manager Brian Maddox. In the meantime, please consider donating whatever you can directly, at www. havenhouse.org.uk/appeal/emergencyappeal.

Thank you. Be sensible and stay well.”

01279 454530 salesuk@leitz.org www.leitz-tooling.com

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42 COVID-19 PANDEMIC – HOW OUR INDUSTRY IS REACTING

Häfele UK has launched a dedicated package of industry-leading support for furniture manufacturers, in response to feedback from customers who shared their industry concerns as a result of Covid-19.

Häfele launches support programme for furniture manufacturers Available to existing and new customers, the Häfele Here to Help programme is designed to help furniture joiners and manufacturers increase sales and enquiries, as well as deliver projects on time and on budget despite the financial, operational and logistical challenges presented by the pandemic.

To help Häfele customers that may require extra support to plan future projects with confidence, the package includes a price freeze on all products for the rest of 2020. It also includes a -50% reduction to the order value to qualify for free delivery, dropping from £100 to £50 until the end of September, with next-day delivery available on orders by 3pm.

Additionally, Häfele has brought together a number of its existing added-value services to make the design, specification and ordering process as easy as possible for furniture joiners and manufacturers. Its Technical Team are also on hand to offer advice on choosing the most suitable solutions from Häfele’s vast range of products, to meet the requirements of any project or budget.

“Our aim with Häfele Here to Help is to support our customers to secure projects and continue to grow their businesses”

The free-of-charge lighting design service allows customers to see different options on how integrated LED lighting can transform furniture, units and other products. On top of this, customers can also take advantage of Häfele to Order, a bespoke manufacturing and packing service that allows customers to order products to their exact size and quantity demands, saving time on projects.

Lighting through the Häfele to Order service

can even be cut, assembled, tested, packed and labelled, so customers never have to worry about having everything they require to create the wow factor.

Natalie Davenport, head of marketing at Häfele UK, says: “We know it’s a challenging time for many of our customers who are having to navigate new ways of working with social distancing, health and safety rules, and in some cases fewer team members to support with the day-to-day work.

“We’ve spent the last few months speaking to our customers to see how we can support them, all while making changes to our own business to enable us to work effectively and safely, so that we’re here to support our customers getting back to a new normal. Whether furniture joiners and manufacturers are looking for technical, specification or design support, we’re here as an extension of their team and can provide all of this and more.

“Ultimately our aim with Häfele Here to Help is to support our customers to secure projects and continue to grow their businesses. Whether we can help them refine their plans so that they meet their customers’ changing budgets, or find ways to improve the overall design and aesthetic of the project to maximise customer satisfaction, we’re here to help.”

For more information about Häfele Here to Help, visit www.hafele.co.uk/en/info/ services/hafele-here-to-help

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Bibielle bouncing back as demand rises for UK-made abrasives As with many industries, the pandemic has been tough on the abrasives market as a whole. In particular, April and May were challenging, reports Tom Wright, sales director for British abrasives manufacturer Bibielle UK. However, since June, the Wigston, Leicestershire company has seen significant improvement, which has given it a tangible relief and a clear sign of confidence about the furniture and joinery market in general and its ability to bounce back.

“We have experienced greater demand within the woodworking furniture industry compared to

metalworking,” says Tom. “This has helped strengthen our place within the market, with us being a dedicated UK manufacturer of abrasive belts.

“Our stock levels and supply from Italy have continued to be as strong as ever, and I’m pleased to report that our service levels have remained unaffected during these times – we are still completing stocked product line orders for next-day delivery.

“In addition to which, I am also pleased to report that 100% of the company’s employees are back working within the company. Their patience, hard work and positivity

during these times has been nothing short of excellent.

“Our strategy moving forward is the same as it has always been – to offer unrivalled service, excellent product quality, and to be dealt with by a company which is friendly, and above all else, easy to deal with. I hope ensuring our level of service continues to run unaffected will, in turn, ensure our customers do the same for their customers.

“Looking at things with an

optimistic view, I foresee considerable potential growth thanks to our in-house production facility and the level of service we can offer. We are looking to further expand our product stock range, which will coincide with the brand-new woodworking literature we have just released. Please get in contact with the sales team to receive a free copy.”

0116 258 1900 www.bibielle.co.uk

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Klaus Monhoff, head of design and decor management at the Egger Group, forecasts a shift in furniture design trends following the pandemic.

Design expert predicts post-Covid-19 trend shift As a VIP guest on the latest Egger Interactive Q&A, Klaus was interviewed by Elliott Fairlie, head of decor management at Egger UK, to provide an insight into the current conditions of the European furniture industry.

Klaus explains how consumer demand will change current design trends, how retailers will need to adapt and develop in new market conditions and how the Egger Decorative Collection 2020 can support them during this transition. Key takeaways from the Q&A included: • During a crisis people look for innovation and new options, but in normal situations people are too busy! Companies need to look forward and invest in innovation so they stand out • In the next six months, consumers will start to settle into the new normality. While their consumption levels have been low during the pandemic, we expect to see an increase in demand as consumers refresh their living spaces and adapt to new guidelines • Like the 2008/09 economic crisis, we are seeing a shift in design trends as priorities change. We expect Covid-19 to influence design trends for a number of years and be a reference point for change • One of the many benefits of the Egger

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Klaus Monhoff, head of design and decor management at the Egger Group

Decorative Collection 2020 is that it is a worldwide collection. The range of decors is so extensive that it can cater for a shift in trends, as demands differ in different regions • Before the crisis, Egger Light Urban and Black Options trend worlds were predicted as important design influencers. While they are still important, they are no longer a priority • Design preferences are now focused towards Egger’s Pure Nature and Perfect Imperfection trend worlds. They have a natural look and feel that leans towards the cocooning style of living • Brown tones are now much more important

in our market. Warm woodgrains and unicolours, used in combination with black accessories, will create a natural, yet contemporary look • Digital solutions have evolved during the pandemic, providing excellent alternatives for customer discussion. By embracing these new communication methods and holding online meetings, business travel will be much reduced, contributing to a positive reduction in carbon emissions and slowing down climate change To listen to the full Egger interactive episode, visit https://bit.ly/3gDWgk0 www.egger.com

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Since the lockdown restrictions were lifted, Masterwood has seen an increased amount of interest from new and existing customers wishing to visit its Gatwick showroom for CNC demonstrations.

Masterwood’s showroom is open for business “Our showroom currently features: a Project 385L, the latest five-axis CNC; a Speedy II, Masterwood’s newly released fixedspecification drilling machine; and an entrylevel flat-bed CNC,” says MD Dave Kennard.

“We can offer a range of demonstrations such as: solid core doors and frames; windows using the latest Whitehill profile tooling; cabinets and panel work; and full stairs – bespoke product demos can also be arranged.

“As well as seeing our machines in action, we have dedicated software packages for stairs, windows, cabinets, doors, furniture and 3D, all available to view during the demonstrations.

“To keep with the current social distancing guidelines, we are limiting visitors to one company at a time and a maximum of two

people per company, to ensure the safety of both our staff and customers,” explains Dave. “We shall invite you to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser when you arrive and, if you wish, when you leave. All relevant areas are cleaned between customers’ visits.

“Our Gatwick and Glasgow offices are now operating as normal with social distancing kept in place. Both locations have a large stock of tooling including Whitehill products and spare parts for your CNC. Although some parts coming in from the Masterwood factory in Italy may take longer than before, our office staff and technicians will do everything possible to get machines up and running in the fastest time possible in the case of a breakdown.

“Masterwood GB will always be pleased

to assist customers who have obtained secondhand Masterwood machines elsewhere.

With more space available at its showroom, the company is able to deal directly with secondhand Masterwood machines.

“This enables us to bring machines in,” says Dave, “and give them a full service by one of our skilled technicians, ready for resale. This also allows us to take in old machines in part exchange when buying a new CNC.” Those interested in seeing any of Masterwood’s CNC and software demonstrations, or wishing to know more about new and secondhand machines, should contact the company directly.

01293 402700 www.masterwoodgb.co.uk

Masterwood GB MD, Dave Kennard

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Following the Covid-19 lockdown period, production facilities are keen to make up for lost time while still adhering to strict guidelines. With social distancing and safeguarding enforcement likely to change the workplace for some time yet, manufacturers need to rethink production processes without adversely affecting productivity.

Socially distanced woodworking production with Homag’s automated solutions

FEEDBOT - Robotic handling of workpieces for CNC processing centres

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HOMAG’s LOOPTEQ return systems turn edge banders into automated cells for one-man operation

Simon Brooks, MD at Homag UK comments: “The Covid-19 pandemic has presented massive challenges for businesses worldwide.

As we move cautiously towards restarting the economy there is an ever-present responsibility to protect your personnel.

Over the years, Homag has invested heavily in producing automated woodworking technology, which frees up operators whilst maintaining production levels.

“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 such solutions, manufacturers can maintain production levels whilst safeguarding personnel.”

Edgebanding with automated return systems As a pioneer in edgebanding technology, Homag has produced a range of edgebanders that deliver impressive results when processing a variety of types and shapes of wood. When coupled with Homag’s Loopteq return systems, the edgebanders create an edgebanding cell.

The Loopteq return systems turn edgebanding systems into a one-man operation by reducing the need for manual handling. Whether it is for batch size 1 or serial production, the Loopteq speeds up production with its automated workpiece return.

Fast processing with Sawteq flexTec panel dividing saws Reaching volumes of 800-1500 parts per shift, the Sawteq flexTec panel dividing saws are innovative cutting cells.

They can also be combined with a robotic arm for the automated handling of materials.

Utilising its unique automatic mode, the robotic arm allows the saw to continue production unmanned. The availability of automated feeding and de-stacking options further enhance production efficiency.

Homag Storeteq – automated storage systems Homag’s automated horizontal storage systems maximise stock usage, eliminate the manual handling of heavy panels and increase productivity. The Storeteq storage systems not only optimise storage layout but also calculate the most efficient way to store panels for faster retrieval and space-saving.

Additionally, as Storeteq systems eliminate the need for the manual handling of boards by delivering them directly to a machine, it only requires one individual to operate each machine.

Feedbot – robotic handling of workpieces Homag’s Feedbot automates the handling of workpieces while using CNC processing centres. With high repetition accuracy, Feedbots are an ideal solution for reducing the number of operators needed during CNC processing.

“Homag can assist all manufacturers with the challenge of automating processes that minimise personnel and reduce manual handling”

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The Feedbot is a cost-effective way of handling fast workpiece changes, as well as loading and unloading workpieces to reduce downtime.

Transbot – automated guided vehicles from Homag To further support social distancing within manufacturing facilities, Homag can integrate Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) into both new and existing production facilities. The AGVs connect individual machines, cells and workstations within production facilities without the need for additional human intervention. They are ideal for the rapid transportation of materials and workpieces between machinery during manufacturing.

Automated window production with Homag Centateq With more than 20 years’ experience in developing CNC machines for window construction, Homag now offers automated solutions for window production. The Centateq S-800|900 processing centres allow for autonomous processing with automatic feeding and removal of workpieces.

Simon concludes: “Homag can assist all manufacturers with the challenge of automating processes that minimise personnel and reduce manual handling. We can also support companies with Homag Finance so that customers can relax with the peace of mind that there are flexible and easy repayment options for every solution.”

To find out more about Homag’s automated solutions, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424. www.homag.com

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Software deemed vital for high-end kitchen firm to offer a bespoke service “If you’ve got both Cabinet Vision and Alphacam, there’s absolutely nothing you can’t make.” Those are the words of Mick Cotter, director of Cumbria Kitchens & Bedroom Furniture. Offering a high-end bespoke service and products, the company deals mainly with end-user customers within a few miles of the company’s native Carlisle.

Having recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of using Cabinet Vision, Mick says the business could not offer “anything like” the service it does, if it did not have the software: “It enables us to adapt and change every unit in a matter of seconds, to create something bespoke that we’ve never made before.”

For example, he can readily design a unit that will go around a vent, or a kitchen boiler with a considerable amount of associated pipework.

“Before we had Cabinet Vision, that would take one person a couple of days to mark everything

out and drill the holes. Now I can design that same unit in Cabinet Vision in literally two minutes.”

With thousands of components required for a large kitchen, Mick describes Cabinet Vision’s nesting feature as “all-important in taking away the thought process in the factory”, as the machine simply produces every part on the sheet, accurately drilling every hole and routing every groove, meaning an almost-finished unit comes off the CNC. “The only time we need to change the orientation of an individual part on the nest is when we’re using a real wood veneer and the component we’re making is longer than the sheet,” says Mick. “We may need to change the orientation to match the two boards.”

Currently, the company performs that task using Alphacam, which came already installed on its pre-owned original CNC machine 13 years

“Once the design’s complete, I simply transfer it from my PC to our CNC Dynamics router using Cabinet Vision’s Screen2Machine functionality, and we know that every cut component will be 100% accurate and assemble together with no issue”

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ago.

“At the time, that was our first experience of CAD/CAM, and although we knew about Cabinet Vision I wanted to take it one step at a time. But if I was making that decision today, and knowing what I know now, we’d invest in Cabinet Vision immediately. It’s completely changed the way we operate. We’d have struggled to keep the company afloat during the global financial crisis that began in 2008 if we’d still been using the old time-consuming processes.”

The company manufactures everything itself – carcases, doors, drawer boxes and worktops (apart from granite). Being at the high end of the market, it specialises in moisture-resistant MDF, with either a laminate surface on a carcase – and all exposed decor painted, or sprayed MDF – or matching wood veneer on MDF. Everything is bespoke – the company does not have a catalogue of any sort. “We can literally make units of all shapes, heights, widths and depths –and any colour,” says Mick.

All of its carcases, drawer boxes and solidsurface Staron worktops are produced with either Cabinet Vision or Alphacam – Alphacam mainly for one-off solid wood products that do not go through a nest, while it machines the drawer boxes from cutlists created in Cabinet Vision. Door cutlists are also produced in Cabinet Vision, telling the operator what parts to

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cut, how many pieces, and the length.

Alphacam is also used for engraving. “All our kitchens and bedrooms have a door with the company name and logo engraved on it. With kitchens it’s the sink door, and a cupboard door in bedrooms, so Alphacam plays a part in every kitchen and bedroom we produce,” says Mick.

But it is Cabinet Vision that he regards as being essential for the company’s specific casework requirements. “It’s our lifeblood, full stop.” He says a small kitchen could comprise an average of up to 200 components, taking around a dozen sheets of raw material. “That’s just for the sheet material – in addition there are parts for drawer boxes, and the doors, all of which are also calculated on Cabinet Vision. Those figures would be doubled, and even trebled, for bigger kitchens, and run into thousands for the largest ones we produce.”

Which makes it all the more important that Cabinet Vision designs can be completed so quickly. “Even our small kitchens have a number of specialised units, but, from starting initial design work to having the job ready for the machine tool, it’s often less than an hour. And even our largest kitchens, with many specialised units, only take up to half a day.

“Once the design’s complete, I simply transfer it from my PC to our CNC Dynamics router using

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Cabinet Vision’s Screen2Machine functionality, and we know that every cut component will be 100% accurate and assemble together with no issue.”

In conclusion, he says Cabinet Vision is vital to the critical area of his entire process: “After receiving an enquiry we do a full measure and initial design. Once the customer approves the design and agrees the price, our surveyor goes on-site and finalises all unit sizes, and identifies

Cabinet Vision reduces former two-day processes to minutes

issues like pipe boxing and deeper recesses (for equipment such as stop-taps). Then everything is transferred into the full Cabinet Vision design and manufacturing process.” www.cabinetvision.com www.alphacam.com

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Investing In Lamello Searching for a more efficient production process, a London office furniture manufacturer sought the help of Swiss fittings manufacturer, Lamello.

London-based furniture manufacturer, Rawside Furniture, specialises in the design and manufacture of office furniture and accessories for the contract furniture market.

Driven by a love of ethically sourced materials and reclaimed woods, the high-volume manufacturer has embarked on a relationship with Swiss fixings specialist, Lamello, in a bid to streamline its assembly line and enhance its offering following the purchase of a three-axis CNC machine.

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“Before we invested in our CNC machine, our products were all glued and screwed together.

It was time-consuming, required a certain skill level and, once the item had been assembled, it proved difficult to flat-pack the item ready for delivery and reassembly on-site,” begins Nick Newcombe, head of design at Rawside Furniture.

“We needed to find a fixing that could not only offer quick and easy insertion when paired with a CNC machine, but would also work effectively

on high-volume orders and offer the strength and resilience needed when an item needed to be assembled multiple times. Lamello’s Cabineo CNC was a perfect fit.”

Designed to work effectively with a wide range of CNC models, from three-axis entry-level models with no end-drilling capabilities to fiveaxis flagship models, the Cabineo CNC could be used on Rawside’s large-format, three-axis MultiCam 3000 CNC, and controlled via its existing software, SolidWorks and SolidCam. “The potential it had to streamline our production was clear from the start,” says Nick.

“It was very much a plug-and-play system that needed little explanation from Lamello’s representatives. We were able to access PDF drilling patterns from Lamello’s website that gave us the dimensions we needed to get to work almost immediately. Depending on the material we are using, we occasionally change the cutting depth or size of the tool, but generally the dimensions supplied are exactly what we need to complete a job. Integration was quick and easy.”

The simplicity of the Cabineo means Rawside Furniture’s design team can use the fixing on nearly everything it creates, and openly admits it takes pride of place in its workshop. “Its modular design allows us to expand on any design we create easily, by adding Cabineo’s to the length and width of our designs. It makes volume orders and one-off orders equally as quick to set up, and because the fixing can be face-fixed, you don’t need to invest in new equipment – or,

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in our case, use an end-boring machine – to get results.”

The Cabineo was recently put to the test when the company received an order for 2000 locker doors and 500 units. “The shells had been designed using Cabineo fixings and were needed to hold the carcasses together,” explains Nick.

“Due to their strength, we were able to reduce the number of fixings and cuts by 250, making a big difference to our bottom line and the time it took to complete the order.

“Without Lamello, we couldn’t have achieved the same outcome and we would have had to have relied on experienced joiners to get the results we needed within the timeframe we were given. Now, a less experienced team can work just as effectively, without jeopardising the quality. This is because Cabineo’s are fixed to the inside face, while screws and pins need to be inserted from the outside and require a lot more finishing to hide any screw holes. The Cabineo eliminates this.”

Cabineo’s time-saving credentials has enabled Rawside to create new products. Nick explains: “It works really well with thin, 12mm panels, which are notoriously difficult to screw through.

Because the Cabineo has a wide screw width and bites quite deep, it’s the perfect fitting for us to use on our cage components. There’s

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“The potential it had to streamline our production was clear from the start – it was very much a plug-and-play system, that needed little explanation from Lamello’s representatives” nothing else on the market that can achieve this. We’ve also been prototyping mitre joints with the Cabineo, by doing concealed rebate steps. The possibilities are endless.

“The Cabineo has changed how we approach our work,” concludes Nick. “We can go from a prototype to something ready to assemble within a matter of hours. The same process would have taken weeks to complete if we’d been relying on screws and conventional

fixings. Lamello’s CNC connectors have strengthened our practises, speeded up our production and increased our margins, allowing us to develop prototypes more efficiently and drive them to market more quickly. Thanks to Lamello’s Cabineo, you don’t need to invest in a top-of-the-range, five-axis CNC to achieve amazing results. You simply need to invest in Lamello.” www.lamello.co.uk

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Timbermark Manufacture invests in Homag widebelt sander to improve quality and throughput Timbermark Manufacture was established in 2011 as a specialist joinery manufacturer working out of Lisburn, Northern Ireland. From the outset, the company’s goal was to offer high-quality bespoke joinery services to the commercial, residential and hospitality markets.

“The business has been incredibly successful in a short timeframe,” founder and MD Tim Brown enthuses. “A significant portion of our work is in London where we have won joinery projects for high-end hotels, residential properties and exclusive bars, clubs and restaurants.

“These customers demand very high-quality products. To achieve the level of finish required, we were spending an inordinate amount of time hand-finishing our work. Not only was this slow, but it was also extremely costly and it was handicapping opportunities to expand the business.

“Although we had an old sanding machine, it was too slow and couldn’t handle the type of work we needed to process. The decision was made, therefore, to invest in a modern wide-belt sander.

“The new sander was going to be a cornerstone of our manufacturing, and so we invested a great deal of time researching the market. The W18 show at the NEC was ideal – it enabled us to compare a lot of the brands under one roof, which proved to be an extremely informative exercise.”

“Although many of the competition’s machines were good, they weren’t quite up to the standard of the SANDTEQ W-200.

In addition, we weren’t getting the same level of confidence that Homag’s people gave us”

The Homag SANDTEQ W-200 wide-belt sanding machine

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Homag has improved quality and throughput at Timbermark Manufacture

Quality and service “We were able to see many of the different machines in operation and, equally as important, talk to the people at each company,” Tim continues. “It was these demonstrations and discussions that steered our decision towards the Homag SANDTEQ machine.

“We have always had a strong relationship with Derek Reid, Homag’s representative in Ireland – he is a straight-talking open and honest guy who understands our business. When we visited the W18 show, we found that all the people at Homag had a similar open and honest approach.

“They knew their machines inside out and clearly wanted to solve the manufacturing challenges we faced. Our goal was to source a high-quality all-round wide-belt sanding machine that could handle veneers, calibration and general sanding jobs. Homag’s team understood what we were looking for straight away and were focused on demonstrating various options that would meet our needs.

“Although many of the competition’s machines were good, they weren’t quite up to the standard of the SANDTEQ W-200. In addition, we weren’t getting the same level of confidence that Homag’s people gave us.

“The evaluation process was lengthy, but in the end the decision to invest in the Homag sander

was clear-cut. The build quality of the machine and the superb results it achieves, backed by the strength of the Homag brand and the excellent service and support, made a solid business case.”

Significantly improved quality and throughput “With the SANDTEQ W-200, what used to take us hours can now be done in minutes, and we don’t have to do any hand-finishing. We love the fact that the table stays level and the machine moves up and down – this enables us to operate the sander with one person, as the infeed and outfeed remain at the same height.

“Since the machine was installed just after Christmas 2019, our productivity has soared and the quality of work we produce has set new standards for the business. Once the Homag engineer had trained our operators on-site, we were able to quickly maximise the benefits the machine brings to the business. From calibrating doors and sanding veneers to sanding general workpieces, such as skirting boards or panels, the SANDTEQ takes it all in its stride,” concludes Tim. For a demonstration or more information on Homag’s wide-belt SANDTEQ machines, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424. www.homag.com

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Ideas made to measure – the rest goes into the Weima For over 110 years, the name Althoff has stood for creative work with wood. At its joinery in Bielefeld, Germany, woodwaste accumulates during all stages of production. With the use of a Weima WL 4 shredder, this can be ideally processed to heat the premises.

Ulrich Althoff was founded in 1906 and is now managed by fourth-generation family member, Hendrik Althoff. In the workshops, madeto-measure ideas are developed – creative products made of high-quality materials, with proven tools and state-of-the-art machines.

Individual craftsman services such as windows, house and sliding doors, furniture or cabinet systems are all part of the family business’ portfolio.

“There was no alternative for us” For some time, the traditional company has been working on the most efficient use of woodwaste in order to save energy costs.

A Weima ZM 30 four-shaft shredder was in operation there for many years, which shredded the woodwaste.

Over time, the materials the joinery worked with changed, and with them the requirements from the machines. A new shredder was needed.

MD Hendrik Althoff did not have to think twice: “I knew that the quality of the machines from Weima is right – there was no alternative for us.”

Optimum processing of waste wood Since the end of 2019 a Weima WL 4 singleshaft shredder has been in the workshops of the family business. The proven classic, with its robust construction and extremely long service life, has proved ideal for the job. With a rotor diameter of 252mm and a rotor length of 600mm, the shredder shreds wood materials of all kinds.

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The innovative hopper with log-spacer design is particularly suitable for shredding large, bulky parts, and ensures that no material build-up or bridging can form. The high-throughput wood chipper is equipped with the WAP gear developed by Weima, which is extremely lowmaintenance and insensitive to foreign material.

All production machines in the workshops of Ulrich Althoff are connected to a modern extraction system. Thus, wood chips and sawdust can be collected centrally in a large swarf bunker. The produced wood chips are directly transported into the bunker via the suction system, as well. The shredded wood waste is then burned in a wood burner.

This way, the entire building, including

workshops, offices and showrooms, can be heated – without the use of fossil fuels. This is not only costsaving, but also environmentally friendly.

With more than 35,000 machines sold worldwide, Weima has been manufacturing robust shredders and briquetting presses for the disposal and processing of all types of waste for more than four decades. Its machines include single-shaft shredders, four-shaft shredders, cutting mills and briquette presses. The popular blood orange machines are used in the wood, plastics, paper, metal and waste-to-energy industries.

Weima’s models are exclusively made in Germany and come from production plants in Saxony-Anhalt and Baden- Wuerttemberg.

Every year, more than 300 employees work on around 1200 customer orders from around the globe. The company has long-standing sales and service locations in the US, Poland, India and China, and more than 80 representatives supplement this global presence.

Fercell Engineering represents the Weima Group as its sole and exclusive stockholding distributor for the whole of the UK. Fercell has a long association with the Weima Group brand, and has been delivering its equipment in the UK for over 15 years.

01622 791414 www.fercell.com

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PerfectPanels.Online partners with Homag It seems a lifetime ago that Brexit was hogging the limelight, yet from 2016 to 2019 it totally dominated the news. One of the companies negatively affected by the indecision surrounding Brexit was Installations Southern.

As a bespoke furniture manufacturer, its main business was in retail showroom fit-outs and reception desks. Brexit’s uncertainty, however, caused a drastic reduction in its workload, and the company had to look for new opportunities.

Neville Sykes, Installation Southern’s MD, takes up the story: “We wanted a business that would give us a solid foundation and deliver consistent workflows. Research identified a gap in the market for a fast, high-quality online service that could provide panel cutting, edging, CNC machining and finishing under one roof. Hence the ecommerce business www.perfectpanels. online was conceived.

“Our aim was to start small, covering south London, Kent and Sussex, with our own delivery vans servicing customers. The project required building an ecommerce website to enable customers to input panel sizes, quantities and edge preferences for a quote.”

Service and support “With regard to the woodworking machinery required, we already had an old edgebander, but that just wasn’t up to the job, so a replacement was needed,” Neville continues. “We also had a CNC machine which, with a few additions, would be fit for purpose.

“Previously, we used a panel saw to cut boards, but for the new venture we required a more accurate, reliable and faster beam saw.

“Past experience highlighted the importance

of partnering with a company that was not only financially stable, but also offered rapid, reliable service support. That meant focusing on the ‘big three.’

“One of these would only guarantee machine support for seven years, so we discounted it.

Of the two remaining companies, Homag’s comprehensive level of service and support won the day. Not only was its service head and shoulders above the competition, but also its machine build-quality and control software were clearly superior.”

An end-to-end operation “The Homag solution worked from every angle.

By adding a barcode reader to our existing five-axis Homag CNC we could automate the whole process using the excellent MagiCut and woodWOP software.

“Our new Edgeteq S-300 edgebander has the airTec system which delivers zero-joint edges, giving us a quality advantage. It also delivers a much higher throughput than our old model.

“The Homag beam saw, a Sawteq B-200, is just so much better than our panel saw. The accuracy, speed and finish quality are superb and, with the barcode label printer, it enables

us to keep track of the cut panels easily as they progress through production.

“This setup. with the MagiCut and woodWOP software, gives us total control for end-to-end production. A customer can enter their cutting list details on our website and get a quote back quickly. If they’re happy with that, they place the order and as soon as we receive it we simply push a button and the job is put in motion.

“The saw cuts and labels the panels, they are then edged and, if CNC work is required, the CNC reads the barcode on the label and automatically does the necessary work.”

A true partnership “The benefit of partnering with a company like Homag is you know 100% you will get the support and service you need, when you need it.

Whether it is for the machines or the software, all the team are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. They’re a great company to work with, and the people there give us real peace of mind that we’re in good hands,” concludes Neville.

For a demonstration or more information on Homag’s Edgeteq or Sawteq machines, contact Adele Hunt at Homag UK on 01332 856424. www.homag.com

“The benefit of partnering with a company like Homag is you know 100% you will get the support and service you need, when you need it”

The Edgeteq S-300 edgebander with airTec system delivers a quality advantage

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Homag Sawteq B-200 – impressive accuracy, speed and finish quality, with the addition of a barcode label printer

Experts iN vertical panel sawing

precisely for you.

■Models to suit all panel sizes

■cutting depth from 55mm to 150mm ■suitable for wood-based panels, grp, aluminium, sip’s, plastics & composites

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0115 986 5201 | daltonswadkin.com

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dp Components production space

“As with all responsible businesses, keeping our staff, customers and wider supply chain safe remains our numberone priority,” says Guy Metcalfe, Decorative Panels Group MD. “From the moment the country entered lockdown, we began to install measures throughout all our manufacturing sites to ensure that we could operate a Covid-safe environment. All measures were risk-assessed internally and approved by the HSE to ensure we could effectively maintain the safety and wellbeing of all our colleagues and the wider community.”

The Decorative Panels Group – British manufacturing for a Great Britain “The impact of Covid-19 has been felt by us all in every aspect of daily life,” says Guy, “and with the pandemic set to be with us for a considerable time yet the importance of maximising the potential of the ‘new normal’ is one that has to be embraced – one that British manufacturers like Decorative Panels can embrace with high-quality, competitive products supplied on short lead times to help support the British economy and British jobs.

“The Decorative Panels Group is very much open for business as usual, in all three of our businesses. Following a very brief period of closure following the Government

announcement of lockdown, all our UK manufacturing businesses reopened and continue to supply the most prominent names in the furniture and associated industries – in a safe environment for all,” says Guy. “Decorative Panels Lamination continues to lead the way in the production of laminated sheet materials, with surface finishes ranging from woodgrain paper foil veneers through to high-gloss and matt acrylics, under the brands of dp-décor and dp-specialist, as well as an ever-expanding portfolio of unique and diverse surface solutions under the brand of dp-limitless.

“Manufacturing in Britain, to support the ever-increasing move towards on-shoring, with the ability to create shorter, more responsive supply chains with lower carbon footprints, and the security of high-quality, competitive, British-made products, will become increasingly more important as we move into a new future”

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“With production levels of over 300,000m2 per week using a wide range of substrate materials, the need to carry substantial stockholdings to ensure we are able to support manufacturing lead times of as little as 24 hours has never been more essential than now. With the support of our excellent supply chain partners we have been able to maintain these levels of service throughout the pandemic, an essential component in ensuring we play our part in supporting UK manufacturing,” explains Guy. Decorative Panels Components is one of the largest trade converters of wood-based panels in the world, supplying high-volume cut, edged, drilled and shaped components to manufacturers and retailers alike.

“With a productive capacity of over 600,000 panels per week and working from 175,000ft2 of the most modern and productive manufacturing facilities in Europe, we are able to offer bespoke solutions to the most demanding of contract requirements. Investment has continued at a pace throughout the last months, with the development of a 40,000ft2 warehouse

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SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS 59

development that will allow us to offer further support in terms of finished goods stock for immediate delivery.

“Decorative Panels Furniture operates from a site that extends to over 250,000ft2 of manufacturing and distribution space.

Specialists in the production of flat-pack furniture, with a productive capacity of over 15,000 boxes per day, we have been able to seamlessly continue to supply key products without interruption throughout – for example, we have produced and delivered approaching 100,000 desks to support the necessity of home working.

“New Product Development is the lifeblood of all business, and we have always looked to be at the forefront of innovation by utilising our marketing suite to present and develop product and concepts with new and existing customers.

“In the coming months, using this facility to the full will undoubtedly be more difficult with fewer face-to-face meetings – but we will not let this stand in the way of ensuring we effectively introduce and present the best of British manufacturing to the market by using a combination of regular product updates, individual and group video presentations, and extensive product sampling.

“We will, of course, continue to make our marketing suite available for customer use on an individual company visit basis, either with or without our personnel in attendance personally or by video link. Tailored product presentations can be arranged in advance ensuring that we continue to offer the highest possible standards of service to the entire market,” says Guy.

“Our supply chain has been, without exception, incredibly supportive throughout. We had purposely taken the decision to increase our stockholding of all our key raw materials in the months before the lockdown, and whilst this has proved a real help we have worked together with the supply chain to ensure that we have had zero stock-outs in all our businesses.

“One product area that has seen a surge of renewed interest are our antimicrobial finishes.

We have had specific antimicrobial products within our offer for over eight years now, but as can be imagined, the interest in these has

now accelerated. As such, we have made the decision to roll out a much wider offering across many more areas, all of which will offer the highest possible protection, independently tested to ISO 22196.

“The most important question that customers should always ask of suppliers such as us is ‘how long does the protection last?’ I am pleased to say that as we work with the market leader and most trusted supplier of antimicrobial additives, the products that we provide contain inbuilt antimicrobial protection effective for the lifetime of the product,” Guy points out.

›

Marketing suite

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60 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

› Lamination paper stock

“The potential areas of application for such products are, as can be imagined, vast, and are not limited to the healthcare environment. I think it is fair to say that such products are now seen as just as relevant in most areas of everyday life and will continue to become more widespread.

We will be saying much more about these exciting products in the coming months.

“Manufacturing in Britain, to support the everincreasing move towards on-shoring, with the ability to create shorter, more responsive supply chains with lower carbon footprints and the security of high-quality, competitive, Britishmade products, will become increasingly more important as we move into a new future.

“As a recognised and valued British brand across many industries, we believe in delivering exceptional customer service, supported by our continual investment in infrastructure, technology and people.

“With the support of our trusted supply chain partners and the commitment of our colleagues and customers there has never been a greater opportunity than now to promote British manufacturing for a Great Britain. www.decorativepanels.co.uk

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“With production levels of over 300,000m2 per week using a wide range of substrate materials, the need to carry substantial stockholdings to ensure we are able to support manufacturing lead times of as little as 24 hours has never been more essential than now”

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62 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

A trend that’s set in stone

F186 Perfect Sense Gloss

F186 Light Grey Chicago Concrete

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Over the past decade, concrete has been transformed from a cheap construction material into a bona fide design phenomenon.

Its resurgence has not gone unnoticed in the decorative surfaces industry, with panel product expert Lawcris boasting five unique Egger concrete decors across a spectrum of concrete finishes.

Egger is renowned for the superior quality of its products, yet the true distinguishing factor is the company’s diverse selection of innovative material replica boards, featuring impressive textures for both visual and tactile impact.

Lawcris’ decision to stock five different concrete decors is testament not only to the longevity of this design trend, but also to the desirability of Egger’s products themselves.

From the light, yellowish hues of Light Cefalu Concrete (F823) through to the deep, moody depth of Dark Grey Chicago Concrete (F187), the range offers solutions for all environments and colour palettes. Embracing the industrial trend, Lawcris is expanding design potential

F823 Light Cefalu Concrete

even further through the availability of matching materials including laminates, melamine-faced boards and matching edging. The master stroke, however, is in the inclusion of concrete decors within Egger’s acclaimed PerfectSense Plus range, collaboratively produced alongside Lawcris.

This premium category of melamine-faced boards features both a mirror-like gloss and velvety matt options, creating a pleasing textural contrast. Featuring Egger’s high-quality lacquer technology, the matt boards boast antifingerprint properties, while the gloss boards are micro-scratch resistant, making them robust enough for even high-usage applications.

Two concrete decors are available in the PerfectSense Plus range, with the cooled concrete surface of Light Grey Chicago Concrete (F186) typical of modern architecture, while Dark Grey Chicago Concrete (F187) offers a warmer hue to create different harmonious combinations. With an extra-large repeating pattern, these decors work perfectly well even over large applications – easily achieved with PerfectSense’s 2800 x 2070mm board sizes.

Another creative option is to combine matt and gloss finishes for a contrasting look that stands out from the crowd.

In addition to the company’s exhaustive decor selection, Lawcris is known in the industry for its next-day delivery service – even on orders placed up to 6pm.

With a strong partnership spanning over a decade, Lawcris is an Egger Diamond Distributor, an accolade awarded due to its enviable stock holding, with over £5m-worth of stock stored in its sizeable Leeds-based warehouse. This allows Lawcris to respond rapidly to demand in a fastpaced industry, while the company’s additional CNC service usefully offers its customers an extension to their own production capacity. www.lawcris.co.uk

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G W E P

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F186 PG Light Grey Chicago Concrete

F186 PM Light Grey Chicago Concrete

Two exquisite concrete decors available in both high-gloss and velvety matt finishes.

Get in touch to find out more W: www.lawcris.co.uk E: sales@lawcris.co.uk P: 0113 217 7177

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In stock for next day delivery.

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64 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

The unique experience of WPR-TAKA WPR-TAKA says it is the only company worldwide to produce both high-performing hot melt PUR adhesive and high-performing profile- and panel-wrapping machines – together, offering a 360° service.

Vertically integrated, TAKA also produces its own raw material for the production of hot melt PUR, which guarantees total control of the quality of each batch, along with zero risk of raw material shortage during critical times.

The key feature of WPR-TAKA is its personal touch with the customer, the mix of familiar warmth with the expertise and strength of a big corporation, always going the extra mile to offer customised answers and satisfy customers.

WPR-TAKA claims it is the global leader in the production of solutions for profile wrapping, flat lamination and edgebanding for both the wooden and the PVC market.

As a natural evolution of this international approach, WPR-TAKA has created an academy which institutionalises the tireless work of research, development, application innovation and quality control. The academy offers training programmes, analysis of materials, simulation of production conditions, process optimisation, tests, analysis of finished products and the development of customised adhesives.

The mission of the WPR/TAKA Academy is to transfer the fundamental knowledge of the wrapping application process of profiles/panels via personalised training programmes with different learning modules, in the classroom or on the job.

To provide optimal support, WPR-TAKA has created a UK-based team to offer a speedy technical service and spare parts stock for customers in the UK and Ireland. This includes: technical support with 24-hour call out; training, maintenance and cleaning of machinery; check-ups on WPR machinery; and consulting to optimise the lamination process.

All this is possible thanks the company’s UK partner, BRIT-AD LTD, which boasts more than 25 years of experience in the wood market, and a deep knowledge and understanding of the adhesive business across many European countries, as well as technical awareness.

No matter how big or small the business might be, WPR-TAKA, through BRIT-AD LTD, can provide complete profile and panel wrapping systems, high-performance hot melt units, slot nozzles with exclusive control flow systems, advanced PUR hot melt adhesives for profile wrapping, flat lamination and edgebanding, a 2448hr spare parts delivery service with UK stocks, a UK-based technical service, and technical training and internal lab for application tests.

To learn more about WPR-TAKA, or to book a technical visit, contact Anthony Rook at BRITAD LTD. 07948 906734 07484 341294 arook.ba@gmail.com www.britishadhesives.co.uk

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MPanel

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 900 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

Follow us on social media

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66 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

Renolit’s superior premier matt surface Renolit has launched a solid-colour premier matt range of 3D thermoformable films.

Renolit Premier Matt is a decorative PVC film that is produced using an innovative Physical Surface Treatment technology (PST) to create a superior matt appearance for furniture and interior design applications.

The innovative surfacing technology creates a highly functional and tough finish that is warm and even to the touch – just what is needed to protect and keep furniture looking smart for longer, whether in the kitchen, living areas, bedroom or bathroom.

Produced in Cramlington, Northumberland, following significant investment at Renolit’s North East England site, this installation is not only at the forefront of innovative surface technology, but is also indicative of the company’s commitment to manufacturing in the UK. “The Premier Matt range delivers the highest level of performance without compromising the overall aesthetic and surface finish demanded by the market,” says Grant Swan, marketing manager at Renolit Cramlington. “As the trend for matt solid colours continues to dominate, we believe Premier Matt will be at the forefront of customer developments.”

Combining smart solutions, a high-quality aesthetic and functional properties, the surface’s appeal is instantly noticeable – touch the surface, and one’s fingers glide effortlessly over the frictionless silky smooth surface, which contradicts its robust characteristics.

Premier Matt benefits from key distinguishing properties that differentiate it in the market, including anti-fingerprint, scratch and stain resistance, easy cleaning, and thermal healing.

It presents a sleek surface with low light reflectance.

Premier Matt’s properties deserve further explanation: anti-fingerprint means greasy and sticky finger marks no longer spoil the appearance of a kitchen, and can just be buffed with a soft, dry cloth for a spotless finish; scratch resistance reduces the visibility of micro scratches, keeping furniture looking newer for longer; stain resistance means coloured food spills no longer persist, and the product is tested against a long list of typical foods and liquids according to European standards; it is easy to clean – cooking splashes and spills can be simply

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wiped away with the swipe of a cloth and a mild detergent, and even dried-on spills are easy to remove; while thermal healing means slight scuffs and scratches can be magicked away with the application of gentle heat.

Renolit Premier Matt is supplied with protection film as standard, in a wideranging selection of 14 commercially popular contemporary colours. A complementary range of 2D films is available on an MTO basis suitable for profile lamination and component wrapping.

To request a brochure containing further detailed technical information and an A6 sample swatch of the colours offered, contact Renolit Cramlington.

01670 718222 marketing.rcl@renolit.com www.renolit.com

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SCM SURFACE TECHNOLOGIES. INTEGRATED WITH A HUMAN TOUCH

The only complete range of solutions for complex and customized surface treatment processes.

dmc sanding

superfici finishing

sergiani pressing

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

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68 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

SCM stands out as a unique partner for the entire surface processing/treatment process, with all-round products and services featuring exclusive, sophisticated finishing solutions to meet all process requirements and finished product types. In this article, Furniture & Joinery Production talks to SCM’s experts as they present three integrated process solutions – the flexible finishing cell, 3D surfaces and super-matt finishing, and 3D laminating …

SCM’s proven expertise in surface processing/treatment The Flexible Finishing Cell is an extremely versatile combination of technologies for sanding and painting, capable of generating various finish effects. The solution addresses small- and medium-sized companies with moderate production volumes, strongly oriented towards high-quality and exclusivity of finishing to satisfy the most demanding customers.

The cell combines the use of the automatic wide-belt sander DMC Eurosystem and spraying Superfici Mini Reflex to meet these requirements.

They offer consistent productivity and high quality, as well as repeatability of finish over time. Thanks to their technological features, the flexibility and operational versatility that usually characterises manual processes are maintained.

There are different samples that can be easily obtained, including different levels of structuring effects on veneers or solid wood, a close-pore effect, or matt or glossy lacquer finishing on MDF panels.

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An effective operation The easy setup of the machines allows a fast pass from an operation to another, or from one batch to the next. The single sander can be used for calibrating operations for surface preparation, raw and base coat sanding, creation of close-pore finishing or structuring effects.

The single spraying machine can also apply primer, base coat and top coat products. The sprayer is equipped with an innovative system for the back and forth of the workpieces that allows a single operator to minimise the use of manpower when working with small batches.

Therefore, the entire finishing cycle is managed with two machines by multi-passing through to create a compact finishing area in the factory.

As an option, the solutions can be connected together in line, in combination with cabin drying systems with trolleys, to create a turnkey finishing area. It is also possible to provide automatic loading and unloading systems to increase the production efficiency of the cell.

The devil’s in the detail It is possible to appreciate the versatility of the finishing effects achieved with the DMC Eurosystem sanding machine, thanks to two new additions: a completely new planetary unit, ideal for structuring, chamfering, sanding the cross grain and precision finishing of any surface; and

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“As an option, the solutions can be connected together in line, in combination with cabin drying systems with trolleys, to create a turnkey finishing area. It is also possible to provide automatic loading and unloading systems to increase the production efficiency of the cell” the interchangeable brushes unit, ideal for those in search of maximum production flexibility.

The spraying application phase is performed by the new Superfici Mini Reflex. It enables single operator functionality, to minimise labour when producing small batches. The loading and unloading on the same side of the machine at the infeed area can also be managed by

automatic systems, thus ensuring the working autonomy of the cell without operators for workpiece handling. In case of larger batches or higher-capacity needs, the machine can still be used in standard mode with an operator at the infeed and an operator at the outfeed. A truly flexible finishing cell, its use can easily be adapted to everyday variable production needs.

›

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70 SURFACING & DECORATIVE PANELS

› 3D Surfaces and Super Matt Finishing, recent technologies developed for the preparation and treatment of surfaces, allow users to obtain surfaces with increased aesthetic and mechanical performance.

In recent years, in the context of surface preparation, innovative working units have been developed that have converted the concept of the DMC sanding machine into a modular flexible abrasive centre, with technologies that enable the creation of 3D finishing effects such as patterns, hand scraping, wood structuring, saw cut and woodworm, to give to the products original surface effects.

Today, a further contribution is provided by Superfici Excimatt, whose new excimer UV lamp dryers are able to produce ultra-matt finishing on both flat and 3D panels, which emphasise the previous processes and give a smooth, soft-

touch effect to the surface.

The benefits provided by this new technology not only affect the degree of matt to the finish, which is lower than five glosses, but also offer increased mechanical performance. In fact, thanks to the special ability to micro-texture the most external layer of paint, a surface with a very high degree of hardness and scratch resistance – and an exclusive surface antifingerprint effect – can be achieved.

The machines explored SCM offers highly innovative solutions such as the DMC System sanding machines, which transform the concept of the sanding machine into a flexible abrasive modular centre.

The unique 3D processing effects on the workpiece surface are enhanced by one of the most innovative finishing processes. Thanks to

the newest UV treatment systems, the spraying application with Superfici Magnum gives an extraordinarily soft touch and an extremely low gloss surface, both of which are highly appreciated given the latest design trends.

In this case, the Superfici Excimatt uses excimer technology in the finishing of furniture panels, and works seamlessly with the wide range of Superfici UV solutions.

Of interest is also the roller applications of the Valtorta F1, integrated with Superfici Excimatt.

The application range is very wide and it finds interesting uses on the most varied materials.

“The benefits provided by this new technology not only affect the degree of matt to the finish, which is lower than five glosses, but also offer increased mechanical performance”

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For 3D Laminating, there is a surface treatment that has been widely adopted by many door manufacturers, and is constantly growing thanks to the continuous technological development of machines, laminating materials and adhesive glues that allow the final products to reach impressive aesthetic and performance targets.

Another important advantage offered by this process (beyond the possibility of laminating the 3D panels) is having a laminated product not only on the main surface but also on the edges, without having discontinuity of graphics and colours, and the presence of joining lines of edges, which gives the final object a full and solid appearance.

The result of a 3D lamination is a

combination of operations to be carried out with particular care and attention, in which technology and working parameters play a key role – from the quality in which surfaces are prepared through the sanding operation, through the correct application of the glue in quantity and sequence, to the correct pressure and temperature in which the press cycle is carried out.

This is why the interactions between technologies and the knowledge of what comes before and after each operation becomes very important. SCM is able to take care of every stage of processing by providing some of the most suitable technological solutions for every requirement, with stand-alone machines or fully integrated laminating lines.

More on the machines In this case, the process involves sanding, with innovative units for gouging and brushing in the DMC System range, the Superfici Bravorobot Glue for glue application, and efficient cartesian robots equipped with 3D scanning to achieve the selective spraying of edges and millings.

The process concludes with the Sergiani 3D Form hp press, a solution with high productivity levels and flexibility thanks to its Flexy Pin system and the configuration of the press with up to three trays, which reduces the cycle time to pressing time only, and results in highdefinition end product, even with the most complex 3D surfaces. www.scmgroup.com

“SCM is able to take care of every stage of processing by providing some of the most suitable technological solutions for every requirement, with stand-alone machines or fully integrated laminating lines.

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72 ADHESIVES

Here to keep you gluing “We have been keeping Britain bonded since 1979, but this year, our 41st year of trading, has been the most challenging of all those years,” says Ian Kenyon, MD of Lancashirebased Kenyon Group. “As businesses return from lockdown and put in place safe working practices to help protect against Covid-19, we are open and fully stocked, ready to keep your production gluing!”

Times have changed, and businesses have had to adapt to new working practices. However, says Ian, one point that has been a constant is that furniture and joinery businesses need a reliable, competent and competitive adhesive supplier, which offers advice and expert technical service as standard. This is where Kenyon Group steps in.

“We are more than just an adhesive supplier,” says Ian. “We are here to support and help you.

What makes Kenyon Group stand out from the crowd? That’s simple – UK stockholding across three warehouses, so no lead times and the goods delivered when they are needed, and also it’s the time and effort we put in to ensure we help customers achieve the best solution.

“We are amazed at how many companies believe they are getting a good service from their incumbent adhesive supplier, yet the supplier dictates delivery – seven days, 14 days and even 35 days! This makes the customer’s planning and inventory control difficult, to say the least.

There’s nothing worse than a failed delivery – it stops production and costs money. Here at Kenyon Group, our customers tell us when they want delivery, and we will deliver.

“Delivery is important, very important, but you have to back it up with a quality adhesive product, offer technical support and advice, and solve adhesive problems. There’s little point in receiving the delivery on time if the adhesive doesn’t do what you require it to do!

“We tick all the boxes, and, don’t forget, we are very competitive on price. In the current

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economical market, we are seeing more and more that the delivered price doesn’t appear to be the dominant deal-breaker. The importance has switched to the ability to deliver the right product at the right time. On-time delivery normally now outweighs a few pence a kilo saving – it’s a proven fact, just ask any customer whose production line has been halted,” says Ian. “Customer service is a priority – when we solve a problem and a solution has been offered, the majority of the time customers remember the time and effort we put in to find the answer. Let

the customer down, and they will not forget!

“We are proud Premium Partners with Henkel, who are recognised globally for their marketleading technologies and brands. It is through this partnership that we have maintained a consistent and secure supply of woodworking adhesives across all technologies, which has allowed our stock levels to be maintained, thereby providing confidence to customers and their production lines.

“This has been especially important to companies who have continued producing through the lockdown period, and to the companies now returning to work and resuming production.”

The Kenyon Group has a wide range of adhesives to keep its customers gluing – many designed to meet the ever-changing and challenging materials used in today’s woodworking and furniture industry, such as: edgebanding EVA; edgebanding micro emissions; edgebanding polyolefin; edgebanding PUR; flat lamination PUR; flat lamination PVAc; Holz-her cartridges PUR/EVA/cleaners; membrane press adhesive; and PVA adhesives D2, D3, D4, dowling.

In conclusion, Ian says: “Customers understand the quality and proven performance delivered by Henkel adhesives, and they will tell you, peace of mind is worth every penny – and, even in some circumstances, paying a few more pence.”

0161 627 1001 www.kenyon-group.co.uk

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Kenyon

KEEPING BRITAIN BONDED SINCE 1979!

Let’s Talk Glue

Visit www.kenyon-group.co.uk Call 0161 627 1001 Full page.indd 1 FP323.3_Pages.indd 73

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74 ADHESIVES

Dispersion adhesives Ostermann experts respond to frequent questions

Dispersion adhesives (white glues) have been used in workshops for more than 50 years.

What has to be considered for a successful application? Edging specialist Ostermann answers the most frequently asked questions …

The Ostermann range comprises a large choice of different adhesives. The many joiners, carpenters and cabinetmakers in the technical sales consultancy are frequently confronted with all kinds of questions regarding practical application. Their expert knowledge, combined with close co-operation with suppliers like Henkel and Jowat, leaves no carpentry question unanswered.

Add chemical hardeners to ready-for-use, onecomponent white glues to achieve adhesives with a higher classification. For larger containers, the use of a classic drilling machine with standard mixer attachment has proven useful

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Why do bonding defects mostly occur?

There are several process steps that need to be considered in order to obtain a perfect result with dispersion glues. These are indicated on the corresponding technical data sheets. If the different steps are not properly executed, bonding defects may occur.

One mistake often made is to exceed the open time. If it is exceeded – for example, if the glue application on large workpieces takes too long – the bond between the two substrates will not be as strong. Another source of error is the minimum pressure time.

Although it is indicated on the technical data sheet of the particular product, it is also influenced by the type of wood and the pressing temperature. A longer pressing time is needed for hard-textured woods as well as for resinous or oleaginous woods.

How can the surrounding temperature lead to bonding defects?

The open time indicated on technical data sheets is subject to standardised conditions according to DIN EN 16556.

The required time is longer when the room temperature is low. With temperatures above 30°C, the open time is significantly shorter. A 10°C higher temperature reduces the open time by approximately one third.

If the boards the adhesive is applied to is too cold, there is a so-called chalk effect. The

There are three new PUR hotmelt adhesives from Ostermann’s own brand, Redocol

drying adhesive gets crumbly, there are white spots and there is no bonding effect.

Are dispersion glues water-resistant?

Dispersion glues are classified under standardised conditions into four different groups, according to their water-resistance (D1 to D4). D1 is used for up to 15% wood moisture, D2 for up to 18%, D3 for short-time influence of humidity (for bathroom furniture, for example) and D4 for frequent and longer influence of water (in swimming pools. for instance).

The standard classifications in Europe are D2 to D4. For applications in exposed exterior areas, use dispersion adhesives classified as D4. Still, the additional use of an adequate surface coating is indispensable in order to protect the furniture.

What is to be taken into account when using hardeners?

To get a homogenous mix, stir the dispersion and the hardener in smaller containers for at least five minutes. For larger containers, the proven method is to use a classic drilling machine with a standard mixer attachment. In the latter case, the stirring time is extended (a rule of thumb – for every 10kg, stir adhesive for 5-10 minutes).

Do not use too much power, though. It may destroy the glue mix and significantly reduce the pot life. For machine stirring, pay attention to the rotary direction of the drilling machine. Usually, it should be adjusted to clockwise rotation. For longer pot lives, always freshly stir the adhesive.

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Redocol PUR hotmelt adhesives

White glues have been a classic in workshop applications. Still, there are some important details to be considered for the application

If the boards the adhesive is applied to are too cold, there will be a so-called chalk effect. The drying adhesive is crumbly, there are white spots and and there is no bonding effect

Why role does the pH value play?

Dispersion glues can change the colour of the wood. The reason for this is the acidity of the adhesives, which can lead to discolouration, especially with tannic woods.

White glues classified as D1 or D2 are pHneutral and do not cause discolouration. Classic D3 dispersion glues are in the acidic range, with a pH value of 2.5-3.5. Some wood types are particularly susceptible to discolouration. When processing, for example, cherry tree or maple, but also thin veneers, the acidic pH value can cause colour changes in the wood.

If and how quickly a particular wood will discolour also depends both on the location and the region in which the natural wood product originates. Another factor is the exposure of the finished workpiece to heat and UV radiation.

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Ostermann‘s own brand, Redocol, has been enjoying tremendous popularity since 2009, and the brand now encompasses over 500 products.

These comprise articles for workshop needs, an own collection of furniture handles, and various well-established glues and adhesives.

Typical of the own-brand philosophy, the focus is on an enviable balance between price and performance.

Kantomelt PUR white granules For edgebanding machines processing hotmelt adhesive in granules, Ostermann now also offers the popular PUR hotmelt adhesive in white, in addition to the existing colour, natural. This way, manufacturers are provided with a solution for the processing of white or bright-coloured boards. The hotmelt adhesive is available in 1kg or 12 x 1kg pack sizes.

Kantomelt PUR as a 2kg block For edgebanding machines with a premelting unit, Ostermann offers the Redocol Kantomelt PUR as a 2kg block. The adhesive is available in two colours – natural and white – and can be supplied either as a single 2kg or an 8 x 2kg pack size.

The dark spots on the surface of the wood have been caused by iron content within the adhesive

Therefore, for approximately 10 years, there have been pH-neutral D3 glues with a pH value of 5.0-7.0.

Why must the adhesives not come into contact with iron?

If the acidic dispersion comes into contact with iron and is then applied to the wood, a classic blue discolouration in the wood will occur.

Therefore, all components that come into contact with the adhesive should be made of stainless steel (V2A/V4A) or plastic. When using a drilling machine and a blender, the blender must not show any defects in the coating (no bare metal), otherwise discolourations might occur.

01905 793550 s.parsons@ostermann.eu www.ostermann.eu

Kantomelt HP PUR as a Holz-Her cartridge Workshops with a Holz-Her edgebanding machine can now obtain the Redocol Kantomelt HP PUR as a Holz-Her cartridge from Ostermann. The adhesive can be selected in the natural or white colours and is available as a single pack or as a supply package with six cartridges.

Matching cleaners Meeting the requirements of the new products, Ostermann naturally offers the appropriate cleaner as well. Blue-coloured for better identification, the product is available in different pack sizes such as 0.2kg, 1kg, 1.2kg, 2.5kg and 8 x 1kg.

01905 793550 s.parsons@ostermann.eu www.ostermann.eu

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76 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Future-proof dust extraction solution for leading Irish manufacturer

Cherrymore is a key player in the Irish kitchen and bedroom market, both for consumers and wholesale companies. Production manager Martin McLaughlin was looking for a proper dust extraction solution for the business’ recently expanded warehouse in Donegal Town. After meeting Modesta at the end of 2018, the new filter system was up and running

by March 2019. Martin tells Furniture & Joinery Production about the collaboration and his experiences so far …

Seeing Cherrymore’s state-of-the-art premises at the headquarters in Donegal Town, it is hard to imagine how Martin and Harry McLaughlin started out 23 years ago, from the garage of their home.

“We were both young and enthusiastic and saw a niche in the market,” Martin tells us in his office. The brothers had to borrow some money to be able to buy their first machines, but soon their business started to grow steadily. After less than two years, they hired their first employee, who still works for Cherrymore today.

They now operate from two warehouses, in Donegal Town and Ballybofey, of 14,000m2 in

“Waste becomes a real problem if it’s not managed properly” Martin McLaughlin, production manager, Cherrymore Kitchens & Bedrooms

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total. They also own five different consumer showrooms in the area. Thanks to their twofold focus on both trade and retail, they can cater for any kind of customer – from a family that wants a new kitchen for their home to a residential development project of 500 kitchens.

The brothers still lead the company together – Martin as its production manager and Harry as its commercial manager.

Word of mouth The bigger the factory, the more dust and waste is released on a daily basis and the more important it is to have an effective dust extraction solution in place.

“A big part of my job is monitoring extraction, taking care of our company’s waste,” says

Martin. “We have a lot of sawdust. That wasn’t much of a problem when we were still operating from our garage, but when you get to a certain level and size, waste becomes a real problem if it’s not managed properly.”

Before the company came into contact with Modesta, Cherrymore was using a filter system that included many add-ons that were put in place over time. “The biggest problem were the unreliable motors – they had to be changed quite regularly,” explains Martin. He was ready for something new that solved his waste problem in a more efficient way.

That is when he heard about Modesta. The first time representatives of the two companies had a chat was during the W Exhibition at the end of 2018. “I saw many different dust extraction

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solutions at the fair, but none of them really appealed to me,” says Martin.

However, his first impression of Modesta was positive. “The solutions were explained to us in depth, and it seemed like a right fit for our factory.” He also received a recommendation from Trade Mouldings, an industry peer who got their its Modesta filter in 2011 and was happy with the solution. “In our industry, word of mouth is very important,” explains Martin.

Expertise and competence Although a personal recommendation can be very convincing, this was not the only reason Martin opted for a Modesta solution. The previous system was having problems with its motors, which had to be changed regularly because they were on the dirty side of the filter. In Modesta’s systems, motors are placed on the clean side, which results in less motor problems.

On top of that, Martin appreciated the environmentally-conscious way Modesta deals with heat disposal – the heat created during production is recovered and used to warm the factory.

More importantly, Martin found that all the people involved in the project were very professional. He specifically names Johan, one of Modesta’s mechanics, and Eddy, the project manager. “They are really skilled people. In the end, they, and not the company’s management, do the job, so we were really happy with the level of competence.”

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›

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78 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

No downtime

By March 2019, the complete filter installation was put to use in Cherrymore’s warehouse. The factory did not suffer any downtime because most of the installation was done over the weekends and during bank holidays. Also, the old systems were moved outside so they could keep on running.

A small hiccup in the CNC ducting due to a miscalculation was dealt with fast and appropriately. Martin says: “It was brought to our attention in a constructive way, there was no finger pointing, the focus was on how we could solve this as soon as possible. And that worked out – they solved it over a weekend.”

Cherrymore’s factory went from a 60,000m3 filter installation with low pressure that was operating at a low speed, to a 100,000m3 installation with 150 kWh installed dust extraction power, with better pressure and speed. The system currently has only half of its vanes operating, making it energy efficient.

Martin concludes: “With this filter system, we have the possibility to expand in the future and still be able to keep our factory dust free in an efficient way.” www.modestafilters.com

›

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“100,000m3 filter installation with 150 kWh installed dust extraction power with better pressure and speed” Martin McLaughlin, production manager, Cherrymore Kitchens & Bedrooms

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Dust extraction for non-stop performance

The Modesta Chain Filter at Trade Mouldings

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

modestafilters.com /updates/trade-mouldings

Main Office & Production Handelsweg 48 3881 LS Putten The Netherlands

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80 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Sustained growth during the pandemic Northampton-based Ranheat Engineering has continued to see strong growth even during the current global pandemic. Many sectors of the woodworking industry have seen growth – particularly kitchen, garden building and furniture manufacturers.

While many manufacturers were furloughing staff to preserve jobs, Ranheat has been constructing new production buildings including a new pipework welding cell. One contract alone involved more than 4km of pipework to be flanged and welded, requiring the construction of the welding cell.

Ranheat also conducts large amounts of research and development, and currently employs three graduates and two undergraduates on industrial placements with the company.

“As a company, we have had to keep up with the constant changes by the Government with regards to the lowering of emissions,” explains MD Chris Franklin. ”The reduction in air travel and industrial activities really brought home the case for reducing global emissions.

“Through our R&D programme, we are constantly finding new ways to reduce emissions in respect of pm 2.5 (small particulate) and also NOx – both of these feature constantly as pollutants in daily lives, as diesel engines produce significant levels of both pollutants.”

Ranheat’s main area of activity is within the

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woodworking industry. This is one of the most cost-effective ways of using renewables, as the woodwaste is already present on-site, ready for use. As the demand for the use of renewables has increased, so has the demand for storage of woodwaste during the summer. This has led to the design and manufacture of increasingly larger storage silos so that woodwaste generated during the summer can be stored for use in the winter.

Ranheat covers a complete range of equipment, from 150kW warm air units, to multiple 1750kW units interconnected to form a common system. All have one theme in common – minimal emissions, coupled with longevity of service to the customer.

01604 750005 www.ranheat.com

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0116 271 7155 sales@tmservices.co.uk www.tmmachinery.co.uk

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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 ďŹ red, turnkey installations for disposal and/or heating purposes, outputs up to 10 million BTU/HR

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27/11/2017 14:54

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82 DUST EXTRACTION & WOODWASTE MANAGEMENT

Wood Waste Control provides extraction solution for Cambridge joinery business Cambridge-based Coulson Building Group has built a strong reputation for high-class joinery stretching back for over 125 years. 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 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.

“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 CNC four-axis machine, saws, planing and spindle moulders, working with

The Woodwork Dust Control Co Ltd Leaders in Dust Control Technology

A Complete Wood Waste Extraction Service to all Timber Industries • Design, Manufacture, Installation • Large hopper filters, fans, cyclones • Motors, control panels and impellers • Small bag filters, rigid ductwork, flexible hose • LEV COSHH testing, assessment, service • Fast nationwide service

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Wood Waste Control has installed a new dust extraction system at Cambridgebased Coulson Building Group

a wide range of selected hard and soft woods.

Jon says: “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 valve unit and dropped pressure-free directly into a skip container.

Reg Gareppo, MD of Wood Waste Control, comments: “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 adds: “This modern new system is much stronger

26/04/2019 11:44

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, in Europe, Russia and Africa.

The family business 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 stand-alone bagging units through to complex integrated systems. www.woodwastecontrol.co.uk

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Are all apples the same

?

If you are investing in panel processing equipment make sure you compare apples with apples

01235 557 600 | www.holzher.co.uk

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84 PRODUCTS

Tectra 6120 classic with air flotation table

Holz-Her’s Tectra beam saw: a cut above When you’re buying new machinery, are you always comparing apples with apples? On the surface, beam saws may look very similar, and in theory, they should all perform the same task – but that doesn’t mean they will perform these tasks in the same way, or to the same standard. The Tectra 6120 beam saw series from Holz-Her proves this point perfectly.

Built to fulfil highly specific customer requirements and flexible production quantities, the Classic Tectra 6120 beam saw combines compact dimensions with maximum performance. Featuring a powerful 7.5kW motor as standard (or an optional 11kW motor) for optimum sawing of stacks or high speed rough cuts, an impressive cutting projection of 82mm and cutting speeds up to 100m/min, it offers robust and precise cutting of materials measuring up to 4400mm x 4250mm and features a wealth of intelligent ‘smart factory ready’ functions

designed to automate your production line and increase productivity.

Made of only two parts and featuring 25mm solid steel plates on the table tops, the state-ofthe-art pressure beam saw has been built to last.

To ensure high-precision guidance and longevity, the CNC inspired saw carriage has movable axes and fixed linear guides that are backlash-free and guarantees dynamic repeatable performance.

This means, unlike machines with ball bearings, the Tectra 6120’s linear guides are maintenancefree and come with a 10 year guarantee.

The saw benefits from a separate main blade and scorer motors and a fully adjustable electronic grooving unit and scoring blade as standard

Floating workpiece clamps can compensate for the unevenness of a panel and prevents damanage to the panel surface

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The saw also benefits from separate saw and scorer motors and includes a fully adjustable electronic grooving unit and scoring blade as standard for precision cuts and speedy changeover times. A reinforced fence and solid front table add to the warp-resistant construction, while suction channels have been added in favour of hoses for effective dust and chip collection directly from the source.

To ensure easy handling and the light movement of panels, the Tectra series features a unique air-cushioned bed before and after the cutting line – designed to withstand even the heaviest of panel packages – and features intelligent floating clamps.

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“Built to fulfil highly specific customer requirements and flexible production quantities, the Classic Tectra 6120 beam saw combines compact dimensions with maximum performance”

Holz-Her’s pre-installed Quick-Work software can create a fully optimised cutting plan in just three clicks

Floating workpiece clamps can also compensate for the unevenness of a panel, preventing damage to the surfaces. This, plus the added benefits of a pneumatically controlled angle presser unit (up to max. 1,200 mm), direct rack-and-pinion drive and a proximitytype sensor, guarantee secure and accurate positioning of panels and reduce cycle times.

At the heart of its design, the Tectra 6120 beam saw is controlled by Holz-Her’s CutControl 2 software package, whilst a 19-inch control terminal allows you to program the cutting height, groove depth and pre-cutting settings directly onto the machine. The screen also offers a large viewing platform with 3D realtime graphics and graphical processing support.

In addition to this, Holz-Her’s pre-installed Quick-Work software can create a fully optimised cutting plan in just three clicks and, with the addition of a fuss-free, ‘drag and drop’ Easy-Plan tool to create and amend cutting lists and Opti-Cut software to provide a complete and effective cutting solution that oversees everything from material management to finished parts lists, it has never been easier to create, adapt and optimise cutting plans for a wide range of applications.

Keen to see the Classic Tectra 6120 beam saw in action? Pre-book a personal machinery demonstration at Holz-Her’s showroom in Oxon.

01235 557 600 www.holzher.co.uk

The Tectra’s 6120’s linear guides are maintenance free and come with a 10 year gurantee

The powerful motor and impressive cutting projection makes the Tectra a very flexible saw

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86 PRODUCTS

Not all apples are the same

TECTRA 6120 Air flotation bed before and after saw line Floating clamps Separate saw and scorer motors Powerful main 7.5kW motor for a cutting projection of 82mm Smart Factory ready Robust and precise CNC technology saw carriage

Uniquely HOLZ-HER! 01235 557 600 | www.holzher.co.uk

www.ferwoodgroup.com

Tel: 0113 2866689

The World’s Biggest Brands Reconditioned to the Highest Standards

Find out how some of the largest companies in the UK and Ireland have already realised the quality and value, without compromise, of machines supplied by Ferwood.

FP323.3_Pages.indd 86

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Full p

MirkaÂŽ Iridium INTELLIGENT ABRASIVES

BY MIRKA

Speed + Efficiency = A new generation of abrasive.

Ideal for solid surface, Iridium’s cutting-edge precision coating makes the hardest jobs look easy. It cuts faster, virtually repels dust and does not wear easily, so the grains stay sharper for optimum performance.

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

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88 UPDATES

The Jet Press answer to faster Tee Nut insertion Think how a business would benefit from a faster application of Tee Nuts – the Sigma Tee Nut machine delivers those improvements in speed, costs and quality. Nottinghamshire based firm Jet Press is the sole UK supplier of Sigma Tee Nut machines and has the expertise to provide the machine that is right for all businesses.

The Sigma Tee Nut machine system can speed up the insertion process without losing any of the precision and craftsmanship that is expected by customers. Jet Press says that the insertion of Tee Nuts can be consistently deeper and straighter with these proven machines.

Automatic feeding and uniform positioning Tee Nuts are automatically fed by a vibrating hopper bowl which ensures that they are uniformly positioned into the track leading into the machine, ready for insertion. The machine is triggered by a foot switch which leaves the operator’s hands free to safely hold the timber in place.

The standard insertion machine is capable of up to 2000 insertions per hour, making a considerable difference to the productivity for

any volume furniture producer.

Speed is not the only benefit; the consistent accuracy achieved by the machine far surpasses that of a manual insertion process.

Sigma’s Rivet Tee Nut machines add further enhancement by combining insertion and riveting in one operation. In addition to the benefits of the standard Tee Nuts, Rivet Nuts add a far greater push-out resistance which can eliminate secondary processes from many applications. Also, the flared barrel allows an easier lead-in when applying a bolt which can speed up assembly. Many of Jet Press customers have utilised this technology to streamline production whilst increasing the quality of the finished product.

A well-known furniture producer has purchased a number of these machines and recently commented “These machines have

These machines have flaring pins with a conical point for Riveting Tee Nuts

jetpress.com

YOUR GLOBAL SOURCE FOR

FURNITURE COMPONENTS

Reputable supplier to the UK furniture industry • Extensive stocks for rapid delivery • Trusted proven solutions • Expert knowledge and support • Reliable aftersales service

• sales@jetpress.com • 01623 551 800 • jetpress.com

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The finished product gives maximum push-out resistance and helps to locate the screw

revolutionised our production; we can get through the same amount of Tee Nut insertions in around half the time of manual insertion. The accuracy of the machines has also reduced our rejects and returns by a significant amount.”

There are two additional options available; a drill-drive option which combines the drilling and insertion of the Tee Nut in a single operation and a drill-driverivet option which features a sophisticated computer controlled machine to drill the timber and then insert and rivet all in one operation.

An alternative table top machine achieves up to 1000 insertions per hour and is designed to suit low to mid volume applications.

Manually fed with an adjustable air pressure setting to vary the depth of insertion, the machine can be mounted to any sturdy workbench or can be supplied with an optional stand.

Safety systems for peace of mind Each machine has safety systems for the peace of mind of both operator and factory management and is delivered and installed by Jet Press. Operator and maintenance training is also carried out when a new machine is installed.

Jet Press maintenance engineers are available for call-out and servicing and the company endeavour to keep replacement machine parts in stock to ensure reliable and efficient aftersales

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service. “No-one in the UK knows these machines better,” says Jet Press’ furniture sales manager Kevin Parr.

“We have a wide range of imperial and metric thread sizes and lengths in stock to suit various applications.

We will gladly demonstrate how a Sigma Tee Nut machine can improve your production efficiency,” adds Kevin.

A close inspection will prove convincing Seeing the process first hand is always the best way to convince yourself of the savings to be made in both time and money. A close-up inspection of the quality of insertion is a must, which can be best seen by holding the wood, directly after the machine has done its work.

A demonstration video can be viewed on the company’s website www.jetpress/teenutmachine and its YouTube channel. The Jet Press sales team can also visit your production facility to discuss your specific requirements and advise on the best solution for your application.

01623 551800 email sales@jetpress.com www.jetpress.com

✓ Save time and money

✓ Fast, precise & secure ✓ Machine support provided ✓ Servicing & spares available

Contact us for a free trial sales@jetpress.com • 01623 551 800 • jetpress.com

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90 UPDATES

Bandsawing the MZ way – productivity with safety With many furniture manufacturers experiencing increasing safety issues when using manual bandsaws, coupled with the lack of skilled operators to use the machines, the need to find a viable alternative to safely cut shaped parts is becoming more important. Thankfully there is a solution available from specialist bandsaw manufacturer, MZ Project (part of the Pade Group), which offers a range of machines that eliminate the need for manual marking out and cutting of parts by hand. MZ Project’s exclusive UK agent, JJ Smith, says the machines are simple to operate, extremely safe and very productive.

The unique feature on all the MZ CNC bandsaws is that the blade will automatically angle +/–90° through the program, thus replicating how the operator has to move the part on a manual machine. This means parts with complex shapes can be produced.

Another big advantage is that the blanks to be cut are loaded and clamped on a moving carriage which runs on linear precision rails, with variable speed set via the program. The blank then stays clamped in position whilst the bandsaw and table move together to enable the shaped part to be cut. The cut piece is then ejected at the rear side of the bandsaw on to a fixed table or optional conveyor. The machine table then automatically returns to the operator ready for the next blank(s) to be loaded, with the possibility to load/stack pieces up to 100mm in height.

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In the resident IMAGO software part drawings in DXF format can be imported, and a program is then created for each different part required.

A library of parts is built up and it is then just a case of the operator recalling which one he needs to run, no templates or manual marking out required. The only operation the operator may have to undertake is to manually adjust the workpiece clamps for different size blanks. Not only is there a big safety benefit as the operators hands are kept well away from the cutting area, this type of machine helps deskill the job. Also the fact the machine is CNC controlled and works off computer generated programs means you always achieve repeat machining accuracy.

The two models of machine available, Basic and Hopper, can be supplied with carriages either 1300mm or 2000mm in length (longer on request as a special). The Basic can accept

material up to 1300mm long x 150mm wide x 100mm in thickness, whilst the Hopper has a 1300mm x 1200mm x 100mm capacity.

Both machines are equipped with safety mats at the loading area and safety fencing along the rear side and ends. In addition there is pneumatically operated lexon bandsaw blade guard. Not only can these bandsaws be used for cutting furniture parts, they are also popular for cutting different types of insulation material, gun headstocks, composites or parts for specialist packing frames.

Special configuration machines are available on request. Exclusive UK agent, JJ Smith, believes this range of MZ Project machines can finally move bandsawing in to the 21st Century.

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

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92 UPDATES

Vacuum tube lifting for industrial wood processes Palamatic is a leading supplier of vacuum tube lifting systems to the woodworking industry for handling wood products up to 350kg. With 35 years’ experience, thousands of the company’s solutions are in use on a daily basis.

A Palamatic vacuum tube lifter uses a singlepower medium – vacuum – to grip and lift heavy or awkward loads. An electrical vacuum pump (or vacuum ejector pump) creates a vacuum level when a suction pad or gripping device is placed on an object load. The resulting low pressure makes the tube contract vertically, and the object load is lifted.

The operator controls the vacuum flow using a simple, finger-touch operating valve, making the work physically easier and safer. Increasing the vacuum draws air out of the tube and the load is lifted. Reducing the vacuum allows air to enter the tube and the load is lowered. It really is that simple.

Safety of the lifting system is always a priority for Palamtic. The combination of the lifting and gripping functions requires no special interlocks or devices. A quick-acting non-return valve and a suction force-vs-lifting force safety factor of 2.5 x, prevent the load from being inadvertently dropped – even in the event of a mains power failure.

Applications Palamatic regularly provides equipment for include loading and unloading vertical panel saws, beamsaws, dimension saws, flatbed CNC stations, edgebanders and laminators, paint lines and tilt tables.

The most common wood materials handled by its lifting systems include Trespa Jumbo

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boards, Spandrel panels, MDF, MFC, chipboard, wood, plywood, Sterling board, plasterboard and polycarbonate. Weights up to 350kg can be picked up.

Palamatic is also frequently asked to rotate boards through 90° or 180° for loading and unloading purposes. Another request it gets is to grip doors by their edges, instead of using suction on the flat face – for example, to avoid wet paint/glue – which Palamatic systems can do with ease.

Woodworking facilities are at a high risk of fires and explosions due to the unavoidable presence of flammable material in the form of wood and wood products, sawdust, etc. In response to this risk, Palamatic has developed a range of ATEXsuitable lifting systems and upgrade packages for existing vacuum-lifting equipment, to give companies the peace of mind and confidence to operate safely within hazardous environments.

With its 22,000ft2 factory in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, the company is well placed to visit customer sites, and for customers to send samples to test prior to Palamatic manufacturing a vacuum tube lifter. The company has a skilled field engineering team to install the systems, and comes in to train customers’ operators.

Due to the high demand for lifting systems in the woodworking industry, Palamatic recommends companies take up a service contract to ensure their systems are kept in good working order.

For companies which have an application they would like Palamatic to come and look at, refer to the company website or contact Palamatic directly.

01246 452054 sales@palamatic.com www.palamatic.com

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Safe • Robust • Reliable • Operator centric Lift & Rotate Trespa Jumbo boards Spandrel panels MDF MFC Chipboard Plywood Sterling board Plaster board Polycarbonate Lift up to 350kg Solutions For High Dust Areas

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www.palamatic.com +44 (0)1246 452 054 sales@palamatic.com

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New packs of Mirka Iridium cut right to the finish Mirka UK is introducing Iridium in packs of 10 in 150mm discs, 81 x 133mm strips, and 100 x 152 x 152mm triangles, providing high performance on a wide range of applications including soft and hard woods, and especially solid surface materials.

The robust abrasive employs a new precision, dust-repellent coating that has an optimised grit configuration, blended to maximise productivity as the grains stay sharper for longer, extending the life of the disc while ensuring high stock removal is achieved.

Its new multi-hole design delivers superior, faster and more efficient dust extraction fitted to any machine, avoiding clogging and pilling, while maintaining a high-quality finish.

In addition, its blend of ceramic grains allows the cut to be more aggressive and longer lasting, while producing a consistent scratch pattern for the lifetime of the abrasive. Iridium’s combination of coarse and fine grits allows the abrasive to work well on both soft and hard surfaces, while its flexible backing also offers impressive grain adhesion and no loss of the grains, even when folded.

Chris Brook, business sector manager – wood, of Mirka UK, says: “Mirka Iridium represents another leap forward for innovation in abrasive technology. It is an abrasive that

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fills the requirements of today’s customers, a high-performance product that allows them to complete a job in the fastest possible time and deliver higher productivity levels. This is accomplished with Iridium, but importantly, without any compromise to its finish. Mirka’s Iridium is excellent for solid surface materials and MDF, as well as a variety of soft and hard woods.” www.mirka.com

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AXYZ Infinite sets a new benchmark for CNC routing Building on the legacy of earlier AXYZ machines in terms of high build quality, reliability and increased productivity, the latest multi-purpose AXYZ Infinite combined routing and knife-cutting system, supplied

by AAG (AXYZ Automation Group), is said to have set a new benchmark for CNC machining performance. The Infinite reflects 30 years of experience in routing and cutting technology, and the contribution this has made to the wider use of CNC routing/engraving and cutting systems on a global scale.

Key design features of the AXYZ Infinite include the now-familiar heavy-duty solid steel frame construction, to accommodate the most vigorous machine operation likely to be encountered, and a new carriage design that provides much easier access for servicing and installing machine tool upgrades. The compact footprint of the machine also allows installation in workplaces where space is at a premium.

Infinite can be configured with a choice of single, dual or triple routing/cutting heads, to enable multiple tasking. It incorporates an expandable processing bed size of up to 3251mm (width) by an impressive 15.24m (length), to accommodate the largest sheets of material.

An important new design feature is a redesigned and more efficient dust extraction

system, to eliminate problems associated with clogging of the machine, thereby minimising expensive machine downtime and increasing productivity levels.

This is supplemented with a new misting system to enable more efficient cooling and lubrication of the router.

If required, the Infinite can be supplied with a host of optional machine enhancements. These

include an expanded (up to 21 stations) ATC (Automatic Tool Change) system for work requiring multiple tools, the AXYZ Zone Management facility to ensure optimum material holddown efficiency, the latest AXYZ A2MC machine controller and the AVS (AXYZ Vision System) to ensure optimum routing/cutting accuracy.

There is also the latest AXYZ helical rack-and-pinion drive system, incorporating a multiple gear teeth configuration. This helps spread the workload more evenly, leading to faster throughput speeds, reduced machine wear and material wastage, and ultimately a longerthan-normal machine life.

As part of the purchasing package, owners of Infinite have the option of the latest VCarve Pro and Aspire design and production software programs, with the latter enabling more complex and finely detailed 3D work to be undertaken.

01952 291600 www.axyz.co.uk/infinite

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Calibre Tooling is now established as one of the UK’s specialist router tooling suppliers, and is pleased to release its latest catalogue.

With a close working relationship with tooling manufacturer Ful of Italy, Calibre can supply highquality tooling through its established network of professional distributors – giving a next-day delivery service.

Calibre/Ful specialises in solid carbide spiral tooling and drills which include a highperformance range of solid carbide drill bits and a comprehensive range of TCT router cutters and profile tooling.

Heavy-duty replacement tip tooling designed for panel sizing features strongly in the product range, as does a series of dedicated spiral tools for door production.

Additions to the catalogue are long-series solid carbide drills, ideal for deep drilling into soft and hard woods, and a range of drills that have high tolerance shanks, designed to be used in collet chuck systems – these drills can be run at 800010,000 rpm, which gives scope for higher drill feed rates and improved finish and production times.

The new catalogue can be downloaded from Calibre’s website, from which a hard copy can also be requested.

01707 386111 sales@calibretooling.co.uk www.calibretooling.co.uk

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SAFETY | STORAGE | EFFICIENCY Whether you handle long products, pallets, or awkward oversized loads, Combilift has a safe, space saving and cost effective solution.

Get in touch to find out about our free warehouse design services.

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Graphtec GB makes the cut with new laser engraving machines Following its appointment as the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for Portugal-based WID Innovations, Graphtec GB has added the latest WID C Series of dual-laser engraving/ cutting systems to its increasingly diverse range of finishing solutions. Available in a choice of four different-sized models (the 500, 700, 900 and 1000), the machines are robustly constructed and of a compact design to facilitate installation in production areas where space may be at a premium.

The C Series of machines have respective processing areas of 700 x 500, 1000 x 700, 1300 x 900 and 1300 x 900mm, with variable

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cutting speeds of up to 90,000mm/min. They incorporate CO2 tube – and, on selective models, RF (Radio Frequency) – lasers, sourced through partnerships forged with leading specialist laser manufacturers, with power ratings ranging from 60W up to 120W. The systems are supplied with dedicated multi-tool software, are compatible with AI, DST, PLT, BMP and DXF graphic file formats and provide USB and Network connectivity.

Key design features include automatic temperature and air control systems and smoke/dust extraction and waste retrieval units.

An autofocus-empowered CCD camera ensures precise material/object recognition, adjustment

and alignment to accommodate the most complex applications likely to be encountered.

Developed to accommodate the varying skill levels of both entry-level and seasoned professional operatives, and in applications for which conventional CNC routing/cutting/ engraving systems are not suitable, the WID C Series of machines will laser cut and/or engrave a wide range of disparate materials, including various natural woods used primarily for the decoration of and/or marquetry applied to furniture and fittings.

01978 666700 www.graphtecgb.co.uk

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>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

Diamond PCD • Service and resize package than • Say goodbye to tool radius compensation

The new X blade range from Freud last 3 times longer 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.    

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

Vacuum Cups 30% more holding power

Call 01494 523991 Web tooltec.co.uk Email sales@tooltec.co.uk

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Barker and Stonehouse’s socially distant golf day raises £10,000 for charities Independent furniture retailer Barker and Stonehouse has raised £10,000 for industry charity The Furniture Makers’ Company and NHS charities by organising a socially distant golf competition.

Around 50 people from across the furnishing industry took part in the annual golf day on Wednesday 12 August at the Catterick Garrison Golf Club in North Yorkshire. The team at Barker and Stonehouse have been organising

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the annual golf event in aid of the charity for decades. However, this year’s fundraiser had to take on a new all outdoor format considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the governmentimposed restrictions.

Following a wonderful day’s play around the course under the hot August sun, the golfers spaciously sat down to an alfresco feast provided by a mobile stone fire pizza wagon. A short prizegiving took place after the meal with

James Barker, managing director at Barker and Stonehouse, awarding Peter Soakell with the Best gross and Best overall trophies.

Paul von der Heyde, chairman of trustees at The Furniture Makers’ Company, attended the tournament and concluded proceedings by highlighting the vital work the charity continues to perform in supporting people from the trade who are experiencing financial hardship.

The event raised £10,000 and the money will be split between The Furniture Makers’ Company and local NHS charities.

Commenting on the fundraiser, James Barker said: “Barker and Stonehouse is proud to support The Furniture Maker’s Company, a charity that provides much needed support for those in the furnishing industry.

“We have been hosting the Barker and Stonehouse annual golf day in aid of this cause for many years and we were very happy to be able to continue this tradition this year but under slightly different socially distant compliant conditions.”

Paul von der Heyde said: “Barker and Stonehouse is a long-time supporter of our charity and we want to extend our thanks for proceeding with this year’s fundraiser and going to the great lengths they did to ensure everyone had a wonderful time but in a socially distant, safe manner. It was a lovely day; the location was beautiful and the course was in great condition; there was some fine golf played and a lot of fun had.”

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Leadermac Can Supply A Full Range Of Planer Moulders, Tailored To The Customers Requirements

hinery chinery

www.leadermac.uk.com T + 44 (0) 1942 859933 F +44 (0) 1942 859944 M +44 (0) 7753 963402 E kevin@leadermac.uk.com Full member of Full member of

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Leadermac UK Ltd, Makinson Lodge, Half Acre Lane, Blackrod, Bolton, BL6 5LR 19/08/2020 22/10/2019 13:47 12:51

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Make the most out of your CNC machine with our new range of cutters and drills

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C A L I B R E T O O L I N G LT D

Download our new catalogue from www.calibretooling.co.uk

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The industry’s leading title, published monthly.

September 2020 #319 News / Events / Updates Covid-19 pandemic updates Surfacing & decorative panels Dust extraction & woodwaste / Adhesives

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Subscribe The only way to guarantee 12 issues delivered to your chosen address.

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• UK’s Leading Briquette Machine with over 400 sold

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

Visit our showroom in Newark with your material for a demonstration

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

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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

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ATA En

WOODWORKING WOODWORKING MACHINERY MACHINERY

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

Location Pins, Tool Digitizer.

Castle Pocket Routers Castle from Pocket Routers ATA Engineering

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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 re-designed with a new lift up table top to provide thebeen following features: features: •provide Easier the and following quicker access when replacing the router cutter, • drill Easier and quicker access replacing the and router cutter, and other parts 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 thelong electrical supplyand to widely the Bosch This established 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 bedroomfitting carcass manufacture, retail display stands and other interior 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

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THE COUNTDOWN IS ON FOR THE UK’S NUMBER ONE JOINERY & FURNITURE MANUFACTURING EVENT

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