October 2024

WWW.PWTMAG.CO.UK #001 // OCT. 24

Successful woodworking in safe hands with

PCS® | PREVENTATIVE CONTACT SYSTEM

The revolutionary innovation in safety equipment for sliding table panel saws

Every woodworker has 10 good reasons not to compromise when it comes to working safety –

PCS® prevents accidents, guarantees dexterity & a quality handshake forever!

PREVENT ACCIDENTS IN MILLISECONDS

When the risk of an accident is detected,

PCS® triggers the lowering of the saw

blade under the saw table in a matter

of milliseconds. This functionality, based

on the electro-magnetic law of repulsion,

allows for an extremely short response time.

APPROACH DETECTION FOR SAFETY

Upon detection of an unexpected, fast

approach within the saw blade area, PCS®

triggers the safety mechanism, which in turn

lowers the blade. The safety environment

surrounds the saw blade and protects

against access from all directions.

DAMAGE FREE; IMMEDIATELY READY

The PCS® safety lowering mechanism works

damage free and at no extra cost. The sliding

table panel saw is immediately ready to use

again at the push of a button. PCS® works

without consumable parts and is completely

adjustment and maintenance free.

PCS® – the patent-pending safety innovation

– is available as an optional extra with the

Format4 ® kappa 550 sliding table panel

saw and supplements the existing standard

protective equipment. For technical data

and more information, visit www.feldergroup.com,

or scan the QR code above.

BWF COLUMN | P05

Recent government amendments to the fire

safety guidance in Approved Document B

COMPETITION | P19

Win 1 of 3 SBS Triple Diamond Stone Sharpening Stations

courtesy of MPOWER Tools – worth £195.95 each!

NEWS | P16

HOMAG celebrates 25 years of pioneering window

production solutions

02 ISSUE 207

INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING TODAY

SUBJECT

ENHANCE YOUR SKILLS WITH OUR EXPERIENCED

AND QUALIFIED TRAINERS

Celebrating 27 years of excellence in machine and tool training, our team is equipped with teaching qualifications extensive

industry experience in training, maintenance, and apprenticeships, and have recently been Ofsted Inspected.

Didac has extensive offerings, including wood machine training, short courses, train the trainer programs, machine &

workshop risk assessments/audits, face fit testing, dust & noise assessments, and much more.

Elevate your career with our apprenticeship programs in wood machining, furniture making, fitted furniture design,

installation, and wood products manufacturing. Trust us to deliver first-class training and support your

journey towards mastery in the industry.

Visit our website for more information www.didac.co.uk

Contact us now on 0800 773 4230 to discuss your training

requirements or visit our website for more information.

We would be happy to arrange for our furniture & wood

managers Shane Stenning or Paul Odams to visit your site

to discuss how we can help with any training requirements.

OCTOBER 2024

PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKING TODAY

ISSUE 001

03

THE TEAM

EDITOR TEGAN FOLEY

T: 07402 735093

E: tegan@mappedout.media

ADVERTISING SALES RHONA BOLGER

T: 07977 594911

E: rhona@mappedout.media

DESIGN & MARKETING MANAGER LAURA KING

ACCOUNTS & CIRCULATION GEORGIA HENDERSON

E: accounts@mappedout.media

Welcome to the very first issue of Professional Woodworking Today,

your premier source for news, insights and updates in the professional

woodworking and furniture production industries. Each month, we'll

showcase the latest products, expert advice, essential tips and key

industry developments, equipping you with everything needed to

elevate your business. Plus, if you want to keep up-to-date with the latest stories

throughout the month and between editions, check out our brand-new website –

www.pwtmag.co.uk – and sign up for our upcoming, fortnightly e-newsletter!

PUBLISHED BY MAPPED OUT MEDIA LIMITED

Registered in England No.

15185328

Registered Office:

The Old Barn, Wood Street,

Swanley, England, BR8 7PA

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any

form, without the consent of the publisher - Mapped out Media Limited. While every effort

is made to ensure accuracy, the publishers do not accept liability for errors – printing or

otherwise – appearing within this publication (and website). The views of the expressed

by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher.

Taking a broad overview, the woodworking and furniture manufacturing industries are

evolving due to automation, sustainability demands and changing consumer preferences.

Automation improves efficiency, while eco-conscious buyers seek sustainable materials and

practices. Amid this, challenges such as supply chain issues, labour shortages and rising

material costs are pushing businesses to adapt by implementing new technologies and

sourcing strategies. Crucial to the future, however, is bridging the skills gap and finding ways

to attract and encourage young people into these industries. Through strong partnerships

with key industry bodies, including the BWF and TDUK, you can rest assured that PWT is a

trustworthy and reliable source.

So, what can you expect from the October issue? First off, for those in the timber windows

and doors industry, there’s an exclusive column from BWF Technical Director, Kevin

Underwood (p.5), plus the latest UK timber news from TDUK (p.12). We also celebrate a host

of industry achievements, such as James Latham’s incredible quadruple win (p.9); Comblift’s

continued recognition and further double accolade (p.20); and last but by no means not least,

congratulations to Extractly Ltd for achieving ISO 90014001 Certification (p.11).

And if that’s not enough to whet your appetite, for those woodworkers who love a freebie,

check out our fantastic competition in conjunction with MPOWER Tools (p.19).

Add your company name to our mailing list and we’ll send each issue of PWT straight to

your door: editorial@mappedout.media. We hope you enjoy the very first one!

TEGAN FOLEY – EDITOR

04 ISSUE 207

INDUSTRIAL WOODWORKING TODAY MONTH 2021

Daltons Wadkin achieves IOSH Training

Provider Status

Daltons Wadkin now offers IOSH Approved Courses in Safe Operator Machining and Health & Safety for the

woodworking industry

Daltons Wadkin, a leading

provider of industrial

woodworking machinery

and support solutions, is

proud to announce that it’s

been approved as an official IOSH (Institution

of Occupational Safety and Health) training

provider. This prestigious accreditation

allows the company to deliver IOSH

approved courses in Safe Operator

Machining and Health & Safety, tailored

specifically for the woodworking industry.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

As an IOSH accredited provider, Daltons

Wadkin is committed to enhancing

workplace safety standards and fostering

a culture of health and safety excellence

within the woodworking sector. The new

course is designed to equip operators,

supervisors and managers with essential

knowledge and skills to help ensure safe

and efficient operations in their

woodworking environments.

“We’re delighted to have received this

recognition from IOSH,” said Alex Dalton,

Managing Director of Daltons Wadkin.

“Our commitment to health and safety in

the industry has always been a top priority,

and this accreditation underscores our

dedication to providing relevant hands-on

training that meets the highest industry

standards. We believe that our IOSH

approved courses will make a significant

impact in promoting safer working practices

across the woodworking sector.”

The courses offered by

Daltons Wadkin are

taught by qualified

trainers using quality

materials, in addition

to being credible,

comprehensive and

up-to-date

TAILORED COURSES

Being an IOSH approved training

provider signifies that an organisation

meets rigorous standards for delivering

high-quality occupational health and safety

training. This approval ensures the courses

offered are credible, comprehensive and

up-to-date, in addition to being taught by

qualified trainers using quality materials.

IOSH accredited courses promote better

workplace safety practices. For employers,

this accreditation helps ensure legal

compliance and fosters a safer, more

efficient work environment, reducing the

risk of accidents and associated costs.

Daltons Wadkin has been pushing the

standards of certificated operator training

in the woodworking industry for over 20

years. Tailored courses for both novice and

experienced learners are available for all

classical machinery types as well as handoperated

power tools and abrasive wheels.

For more information on the range of

training courses available from Daltons

Wadkin, call 0115 986 5201, email

info@daltonswadkin.com or visit the

website: www.daltonswadkin.com.

Our commitment to

health and safety in the

industry has always been

a top priority, and this

accreditation underscores

our dedication to providing

relevant hands-on training

that meets the highest

industry standards”

OCTOBER 2024


ISSUE 001

05

Recent government amendments

to the fire safety guidance in

Approved Document B

BWF Technical Director, Kevin Underwood, discusses the recent government

amendments to the fire safety guidance in Approved Document B, which is

set to take effect between March 2025 and September 2029

The changes include transitioning

from the national classification

system (BS 476) to the European

Standard (BS EN), expanding

sprinkler requirements in all

new care homes, in addition to introducing

new fire resistance classifications for

building products.

On 2 September 2024, the government

issued three amendment documents that

make changes to the fire safety guidance

in Approved Document B.

FIRST DOCUMENT

• Takes effect from March 2025;

• Makes changes to the classification

of reaction to fire and the classification

of roofs introduces new guidance around

the provision of sprinklers in care homes;

• Makes changes to the information required

to comply with Regulation 38 – fire safety

information – as described in Section 17

of Approved Document B.

SECOND DOCUMENT

• Takes effect from September 2026;

• An update to the document published

in March this year that introduced a

requirement for a second escape stair in

residential buildings over 18m in height.

THIRD DOCUMENT

• Takes effect from September 2029;

• Makes changes to the classification

The European standard

(BS FN), which is more current

than the National standard (BS

476), will be the sole route of

specification within Approved

Document B for reaction to

fire and roofs classifications”

of fire resistance and affects the

classification of fire doors.

The publication of these amendments

followed a written ministerial statement

from the Ministry of Housing, Communities

and Local Government (MHCLG). Following

a consultation, the government decided

to extend the provision of sprinklers in

Approved Document B to all new care

homes irrespective of height. Changes

to the guidance also removed previous

allowances associated with the provision

of sprinklers in care homes. Going forward,

new care homes will be expected to

limit compartment sizes to 10 beds while

ensuring self-closing devices are fitted

to doors.

IMPLEMENTING THESE CHANGES IN

TWO STAGES

Currently, Approved Document B operates

a dual system for reaction to fire and roofs

in addition to fire resistance testing and

classification for construction products.

The guidance references both the National

Classes (BS 476) and European Classes –

BS EN 13501 series, e.g, BS EN 13501-1

for classifications using data from reaction

to fire tests and 13501-5 for classifications

using data from external fire exposure to

roofs tests. The government considered

that the National Classes were seldom used

by industries that require classifications for

reaction to fire or for roofs, but recognised

that certain sectors, such as fire door

manufacturers, still rely on national (BS 476)

fire resistance tests for their products.

In recognition of the specific needs for

these parts of industry, changes to the

guidance will be implemented in two

stages: firstly, removing references to

BS 476 associated with reaction to fire

and roofs in the March 2025 amendments;

secondly, removing references to BS 476

associated with fire resistance in the

September 2029 amendments.

The March 2025 update to guidance

removes the national classification system

(BS476) for reaction to fire and roofs from

Approved Document B. The European

Standard (BS EN), which is more current

than the National standard (BS 476), will

be the sole route of specification within

Approved Document B for reaction to

fire and roofs classifications.

TIMBER FIRE DOORS

Fire doors aren’t classified for their reaction

to fire performance and so the changes in

the first amendment document don’t affect

fire door producers other than to ensure

they provide the fire safety information

required by section 17 of Approved

Document B. The second amendment

relates to stairs and there’s no changes that

affect fire doors other than in protecting

the additional escape routes and stairway.

The changes in the third amendment

document, however, will have

a significant impact on the fire

door sector where the majority

of products are certified to the

National System – e.g. FD30 and FD30S.

Moving to the European System will

require manufacturers to develop a

portfolio of European testing, which

must meet the requirements for sampling

and follow the rules-based system for

any extension to scope. As timber fire

doors have an extensive set of extended

application rules in BS EN 15269-3 – i.e.

there’s a specific standard for extended

application – the guidance given in clauses

B1 to B5 of Approved Document B prevents

the use of expert judgement Due to the

‘systems’ approach to fire door manufacture;

the burden of testing will rest on a relatively

few door leaf and blank manufacturers.

An enormous amount of work needs to

be completed between now and September

2029; this must be carried out against a

background of uncertainty regarding the

regulation of construction products and

OHRA

the capacity and functional issues

identified within the Grenfell Tower Inquiry

Report and Independent Review of the

Construction Product Testing Regime.

For further information on the BWF,

visit the website: www.bwf.org.uk.

06 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

Extractly’s comprehensive dust extraction solution

is a perfect fit for Sweet Joinery Ltd

Dust and fume extraction specialists, Extractly Ltd, recently completed the installation and commissioning

of a comprehensive new dust extraction system to maintain a safe, clean workspace for North Somerset-based

Sweet Joinery Ltd – one of the most successful and respected joinery firms in South West England

Although Sweet Joinery Ltd was

incorporated as recently as 2017,

the business has family roots

dating back over five decades.

Company founder, Dan Sweet,

started his career in the early 2000s as an

apprentice carpenter for his grandfather’s

company, H. Sweet & Sons, and later went

on to manage the firm’s specialist joinery

shop. In 2019, Sweet Joinery’s rapid

expansion was bolstered with the acquisition

of Woodhill Joinery; another local family

concern, also established back in the 1970s.

In addition to a collection of traditional

woodworking tools that are typically

employed in the crafting of bespoke

kitchen cabinetry and window frames,

the company’s workshop, located just

a few miles southwest of Bristol, houses a

comprehensive range of high-performance

production machinery, including a Biesse

Rover machining centre, Hebrock

edgebander and Altendorf F45 panel

saw, along with SCM spindle moulder and

planer/thicknesser, and a Sedgwick tenoner.

This well-rounded set-up, teamed with a

dedicated and experienced workforce, has

allowed the company to build an enviable

reputation for providing high quality

bespoke joinery for clients in the retail,

education and transport sectors.

Dan Sweet explains: “To eliminate our

wood waste disposal costs, and to get

‘free’ workshop heating in the process,

we wanted to install a modern, efficient,

waste wood burner. However, to effectively

filter and collect all the wood waste material

our machines were producing, which was

necessary to make the installation viable,

it was obvious

Extractly installed an that our existing

ATEX isolation valve in-line extraction

with the 30kW main fan.

would require

In the unlikely event of an

explosion, this safety device something of

prevents the effects of an upgrade.

pressure wave and flames After discussing

travelling upstream in our requirements

the ductwork

with other

Ecogate® motorised

dampers open and close

automatically as machines

come on or offline

colleagues in the industry, it was

recommended that we should contact

Extractly for advice.”

INSTALLATION SUCCESS

The advice was provided by UK Sales

Manager for Extractly and Ecogate, Ian

Rayner: “This was a challenging but really

interesting project to be involved with,”

says Ian. “Key to the installation’s success

Mounted above the storage

silo, the 17,000m3/hr capacity

filter unit delivers collected

waste, pressure-free, via a

rotary valve

would be a new and more efficient filter

unit, including a more powerful main

fan, but space and access at the site was

particularly restricted. The wood burner was

being installed internally, at the workshop’s

rear, along with a high-powered Reinbold

Shredder, and there was just enough space

here to site the 30kW ATEX fan unit we’d

specified to provide the necessary maximum

airflow volume of 17,000m³/hr. This would

provide effective extraction from all the

current machinery, plus a margin of extra

capacity for future additions, but siting the

filter was going to require a more complex

operation; as space in front of the factory

needed to be kept clear for delivery vehicles

and personnel access, and a narrow

passageway to the premises’ rear had

already been earmarked for a vast,

externally-located silo, which would store

the collected waste before feeding it to

the new burner.”

The solution Extractly’s design engineers

provided was for the new filter unit to be

mounted on top of the silo. The unit selected

for the task was an LBR-S HJ2 reverse air

baghouse, weighing in at around 2 tonnes.

The unit is fitted with XT15 ‘Superbag’

filter media, and two 1.1kW regeneration

fans provide filter cleaning. The modular,

galvanised steel housing, with a 2.4m ×

2.4m footprint and around 6m tall, was

craned-in over the factory’s roof and fixed

into place above the silo. “The filter unit’s

positioning is actually ideal,” Ian remarked.

“Collected waste is discharged from below

the hopper, then delivered directly into

the silo, pressure-free, via an ATEX

rotary valve.”

REDUCING CARBON FOOTPRINT

The installation not only provides Sweet

Joinery with a renewable heating source

and cuts the cost of wood waste disposal,

but is also a great way for the business

to reduce its carbon footprint. And, to ensure

the company derives maximum cost savings

and reduces its carbon footprint even

further, Ian also put forward a proposal to

include Ecogate ® energy-saving technology

to control the dust extraction system. “In

common with all workshops involved in the

production of bespoke joinery, the machines

at Sweet Joinery are never all in use at the

same time, so demand for extraction is

continually changing throughout the

working day.”

The solution Extractly’s

design engineers provided

was for the new filter unit

to be mounted on top of

the silo. The unit selected

for the task was an LBR-S

HJ2 reverse air baghouse”

OCTOBER 2024


ISSUE 001

07

With an ‘On-Demand’

Company founder Ecogate ® system

Dan Sweet – right – controlling the

with CNC programmer extraction system,

and operator, John a sensor fitted to

Merchant, reviewing each machine monitors

and discussing machine machine usage and

usage and power savings sends a signal to the

data collected by Ecogate ® greenBOX

the Ecogate® system controller whenever

an individual machine

comes on or offline. In turn, the greenBOX

controller, via the Ecogate ® PowerMASTER

Variable Speed Drive unit, immediately

adjusts the fan speed to exactly match

the change in demand, reducing power

consumption, and obviously saving on

electricity costs. However, the level of

savings a company like Sweet Joinery

can achieve are quite significant, as Ian

went on to explain: “By taking advantage

of the Laws of Physics, Ecogate ® technology

can typically reduce electricity usage by

at least 50% when the fan speed is reduced

by as little as 20%. This sort of saving is easily

achieved when machine usage is varying

throughout the day and, during break-time

and when all machines shut down, the

fan also shuts down – automatically.”

In conclusion, Dan commented: “We

were really pleased with Extractly’s

installation team; they worked efficiently

around us, and I found them to be

professional and very flexible when delays

on other equipment installations inevitably

impacted their installation work schedules.”

For further information on Extractly

Limited, call 01924 520 462, email

info@extractly.co.uk or visit the

website: www.extractly.co.uk.

Whatever your

LEV demands

Extractly

will tick all

the boxes

When it comes to dust and fume extraction,

Extractly delivers the complete package...

From the wide choice of filter types and technologies available, we source the

most appropriate and cost-efficient system to meet your requirements and,

from initial consultation and design, all the way through to installation and

commissioning, we will be with you at every stage of the process.

The wealth of practical experience within the company, together with an

extensive range of proven products, allows Extractly to offer extraction

systems which are individually tailored to customers’ specific needs.

Whether you need a small mobile extractor, or a high-capacity modular

filter unit, an energy-efficient shredder or briquette press, or perhaps a

modern spray booth or enclosure… from simply adapting ductwork to suit

a new machine installation, to commissioning a complete waste-to-energy

system, Extractly’s experienced engineers deliver the optimum solution.

Extractly is the Master UK Distributor and Installer of the Ecogate ®

energy-saving system, and an Authorised Dealer and

Installer of Nordfab Quick-Fit ® ductwork

Dust & Fume Filtration

Shredding & Briquetting

Energy-Saving Technology

Control Panel Engineering

Service, Maintenance & LEV Testing

Spray Booths, Enclosures

and Curing Ovens

Carhartt celebrates

135th anniversary

To celebrate this very special

occasion, on 29 October 2024, the

Carhartt 1-Minute Anniversary

Party will take place from 12:00 to

12:01. And in that one minute, hardworking

fans across the UK and

Europe will have the opportunity

to win great prizes and more.

In 1889, in Detroit, USA, Hamilton

Carhartt began making hard-wearing

workwear. Even then, he insisted

that every single item had to meet

his high standards. Today, 135 years

later, millions of hard workers across

the globe get to benefit from his iconic

products, which truly have stood the

test of time.

THE GOLDEN BEANIE

To celebrate this impressive anniversary

milestone, Carhartt is giving away 20,000

limited-edition beanies. Each beanie

is sealed and contains a scratch card,

which has a code that can be checked

online. The big question is, who’ll get

the code for a Golden Beanie? One

lucky winner will receive a wonderful

tour around the Great Lakes of America

– the birthplace of Carhartt.

WIN 1 MINUTE OF ONLINE SHOPPING

Simply share your craft using the

#Carhartt135 hashtag and show that

you’re a real Carhartt fan! The winner will

get a minute to fill their online shopping

cart to the brim in Carhartt’s online store

on 29 October – entirely free of charge!

.co.uk

LEV... extractly as it should be

Extractly Limited

has achieved

SafeContractor

Accreditation

Extractly Ltd

info@extractly.co.uk

01924 520462

135 SURPRISE BIRTHDAY CAKES

If you have something to celebrate

on 29 October, visit win-carhartt.com,

share your story and you might get

a surprise visit from Carhartt, complete

with horns, bells and one of 135

birthday cakes.

To find out more about the anniversary

celebrations, how to participate and the

fantastic prizes, go to win-carhartt.com.

08 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

BWF announces

2024 Awards shortlist

This year’s shortlist for the

prestigious British Woodworking

Federation (BWF) Awards –

which celebrates the outstanding

skills, talent and achievements

of the UK woodworking and joinery

manufacturing industry – has now

been revealed.

HOFFMANN-SCHWALBE.DE

WE´RE FOUND

IN ALL THE BEST

JOINTS!

www.hoffmann-uk.com

tel. 01524 841 500

www.hoffmann-schwalbe.de

tel. 0049 7251 95440

Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the

BWF, commented: “As the BWF Awards

enter their 16th year, I’m pleased to

share the fact we’ve received a recordbreaking

number of entries, which

clearly demonstrates the wide range

of skills, expertise and passion within

our talented sector.

“It’s also exciting to see enthusiasm

for the new BWF Sustainability Award.

For the first time, we’re shining a spotlight

on the woodworking and joinery businesses

that are committed to reducing carbon

emissions or improving

energy efficiency through

innovative new processes.

“The BWF Awards give us

a welcome opportunity

to celebrate the projects,

successes and brilliant

individuals within our

profession. I’m looking

forward to a fantastic

evening, recognising

achievements from

across the woodworking

and joinery sector.”

Winners will be announced

on Friday 22 November at

the BWF Annual Awards

evening, which will be held

at prestigious London hotel,

The Langham.

The full shortlist for

the 2024 Awards

is as follows:

BWF HEALTH AND

SAFETY AWARD –

SPONSORED BY

NFU MUTUAL

• Heron Joinery – for its

Continuous Improvement

Project, aimed at enhancing

health and safety protocols

while demonstrating a strong

commitment to creating a

safer working environment

for all employees.

• JELD-WEN – for its

development of a Radio

Frequency Tag System,

using AI technology to

protect pedestrians from

moving industrial vehicles.

• Heron Fire Doors – for

its transition from manual

handling to mechanised

solutions in order to improve

workplace safety standards.

BWF APPRENTICE

OF THE YEAR AWARD

– SPONSORED BY CITB

• Lilli-Mae Broadhurst

– Gowercroft Joinery, Lilli-

Mae’s employer, said: “She’s

a very fast learner and her

hunger for knowledge and

ambition to get on soon

became apparent. Her fast promotion

at Gowercroft has been down to hard

graft, determination and willingness

to take initiative.”

• Harrison Ward – James Wilding Joinery,

Harrison’s employer, said: “He’s grown

into an exceptionally talented young

man, who continually goes above and

beyond in all tasks he’s presented with

and works in an extremely professional

manner. As a company, we welcome

ideas from all levels and areas of the

business, from apprentices right up

to the partners.”

• Paige Kavanagh – Corbel Conservation

Ltd, Paige’s employer, said: “Coupled with

the practical skills she possesses is her

determination to do the right thing for

the company and peers. Paige’s drive,

passion to learn and enthusiasm to

always improve, has really stood out.”

BWF HERITAGE PROJECT OF THE

YEAR AWARD – SPONSORED BY

REMMERS (UK) LTD

• Blairs Windows and Doors – for its

intricate window restoration project on

the Tontine Hotel – an A Listed Building.

• Precision Made Joinery – for its valuable

contribution to the restoration of The

Old Rectory, Fornham All Saints, Suffolk

– a Grade 2 Listed property.

• A R Manley and Son – for using

traditional techniques to accurately

replicate an authentic Victorian

greenhouse, using a selection of

modern timbers and paint.

BWF INNOVATION AWARD

– SPONSORED BY ANKER STUY

COATINGS LTD

• Coastal Group – for its Inowa sliding

door system, which aims to redefine

the standard of sliding door technology

within the UK joinery industry, by

integrating cutting-edge innovation,

sustainability and superior functionality.

• Joinerysoft – for its development of JMS

Cloud – a cloud-based software solution,

which is specifically designed to enhance

any joinery business’ efficiency, accuracy

and profitability.

• Heron Fire Doors – for the ongoing

development of its cost efficient

external ‘Herodor’ door set.

BWF SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

– SPONSORED BY MIRKA

• Surrey Wood Products – for its

commitment to demonstrating lasting

and sustainable change in the company’s

timber supply.

• James Latham – for its development

of The James Latham Carbon Calculator,

which is developed to help woodworkers

and joiners select materials with greater

confidence to meet regulatory, ethical

and aspirational requirements

surrounding sustainability.

• Gowercroft Joinery – for its commitment

to continued improvement within the

company’s manufacturing processes;

this leads to tangible enhancements

in sustainability practices and further

reductions in the overall environmental

impact using Life Cycle Assessments.

BWF RISING STAR AWARD

– SPONSORED BY ACCSYS

TECHNOLOGIES PLC

• Chris Cork – employer, Cubby

Construction, said: “Chris has shown

willingness to help anyone and everyone,

especially customers. He’ll often do extra

hours, both in the workshop and on site,

to ensure a job is completed to the

highest standard.”

• Tautvydas Bumblys – employer, Heron

Joinery, said: “We’re truly fortunate

to have an individual who embodies

the values of care, compassion and

dedication, not only to his colleagues

but also the broader community.”

• Joanna Zyser – employer, Heron

Fire Doors, said: “Under Joanna, our

factory’s glazing area has undergone

a complete transformation. She’s

implemented lean methodology and

just in time processes within her area,

reducing waste and greatly improving

efficiency. This is no small achievement

for someone thrown in at the deep end,

with no prior experience, working within

the joinery or fire door industry.”

BWF WOODWORKING PROJECT

OF THE YEAR – SPONSORED BY

IMPRA WOOD PROTECTION LIMITED

• D Foord Joinery Ltd – for its elegant,

yet technically challenging design and

installation of an elliptical staircase for

a Georgian house, using English oak.

• R & E Falkingham – for its extensive and

complex restoration and enhancement

of the striking 1920s property Uplands,

in Beverley.

• Precision Made Joinery – for its

manufacture of a bespoke suspended

staircase within a Grade 2 Listed

property – in this case, The Old

Rectory, in Fornham All Saints, Suffolk.

The British Woodworking Federation

(BWF) is the trade association for the

woodworking and joinery manufacturing

industry in the UK. For more information

on this year’s Awards, visit the website:

www.bwf.org.uk/awards-2024.

OCTOBER 2024


ISSUE 001

09

Storage solutions to maximise efficiency

& convenience around the home:

Blum launches ‘All You Need is Space’ campaign

Blum, a leader in innovative

furnishing solutions, has

launched its ‘All You Need

is Space’ campaign, with

a suite of smart products

designed to maximise efficiency

and convenience around the home.

Promising to transform the way in which

people interact with their living spaces,

making every inch count, the collection

of Blum designs included within this

James Latham celebrates quadruple win

at the 2024 Timber Trade Journal Awards

James Latham – one of the UK’s leading

independent distributors of timber,

panels and decors – emerged triumphant

at last month’s Timber Trade Journal

Awards, scooping-up four accolades

including prestigious Timber Trader

of the Year.

This hotly anticipated award, informally

known as the ‘Oscars’ of the timber trade,

is voted on by the industry itself. Crucially,

it recognises an organisation that’s

demonstrated exceptional service, creativity

and ingenuity over the preceding 12 months,

enhancing the sector as it does so.

James Latham was singled out for its

all-round service proposition, environmental

credibility, innovative outlook, marketing

excellence and commitment to training. The

distributor also walked away with three more

gongs: firstly, Hardwood Trader of the Year

highlighted James Latham’s incredible range,

the knowledge of its depot teams and strong

supply chain. Voted for by customers, this

was a great demonstration of the respect

and high regard afforded to James Latham

by the people that really matter – its clients.

new campaign were created for the

fast-paced, modern world, where a

highly functional and space-efficient

home isn’t just a luxury, but a necessity.

Designs such as the Pull-out Shelf

Lock, SPACE STEP, SPACE TOWER, SPACE

TWIN, and Sink Drawer Solution are all

now available as part of the new campaign.

Lisa Robinson, Marketing, Blum, comments:

“Our ‘All You Need is Space’ campaign isn’t

just about products; it’s about transforming

lives by redefining what our customers can

In the Judged category, James Latham

also received the Marketing Excellence

Award for its recent ‘Think You Know

Great Service?’ campaign, a short sharp

activation combining customer research

and direct marketing to help attract new,

and revive dormant, customers. Posting

impressive results – including a 26% increase

in new accounts by close of the campaign’s

three-month run – judges described it as

‘Kick-ass’ and ‘Outstanding’ – a great example

of how to achieve high engagement and

conversion-rate on a modest budget.

Finally, Mateusz Miczek, Operations

Supervisor at James Latham Leeds, picked

up the Career Development Over-25 award.

One of the company’s fastest-rising stars,

this win reflects an ongoing investment in

people and their development as timber

professionals, contributing to the team’s

long-standing reputation as experts steeped

in the timber industry.

Commenting on the achievement,

Chairman, Nick Latham, said: “An amazing

result, and one which touches on every part

of the business, from the people who drive

the lorries and operate the depots, to the

valuable work completed in the back-office,

from finance and compliance to HR and

on to our passionate and knowledgeable

salespeople. It’s a real recognition of the

ongoing investment we make into our

processes, plant and, most importantly,

our people.”

To find out about James Latham’s awardwinning

services and extensive product

portfolio, visit www.lathamtimber.co.uk.

expect from their living space. We want

people to explore how our solutions can

turn living areas into incredible examples

of efficiency with aesthetic charm.

Blum’s products mean investing in

a lifestyle where design and functionality

coexist beautifully. Built to inspire creativity

and enhance convenience, with a focus

on user-centric design, they’re crafted

with the finest materials and cuttingedge

technology to ensure longevity

and unrivalled performance.

THE PRODUCTS AT A GLANCE

MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY WITH

THE PULL-OUT SHELF LOCK

A quintessential solution

for those who value safety

and stability alongside sleek

design, this system ensures

that pull-out shelves remain

locked in a fully extended

position, creating a secure

workspace that can be

utilised in areas such as

kitchens and offices.

STEP UP WITH SPACE STEP

A revelation in utilising every

inch of cabinetry, from top

to bottom, this innovative

plinth solution doubles as

a step, providing easy access

to those hard-to-reach places.

Perfect for both children

and adults, the SPACE STEP

integrates seamlessly into

a cabinet plinth, unlocking

an additional layer of

functionality in kitchens,

wardrobes and beyond.

Moreover, it can support

up to 150kg and cleverly

hides away when not in

use, further adding to its

allure by maintaining a

space’s aesthetic integrity.

ELEVATE STORAGE

WITH SPACE TOWER

This versatile larder unit

can be customised to fit

specific storage needs,

offering accessible pull-outs

from all three sides. Each

pull-out is crafted to glide

smoothly, regardless of

weight, so heavy loads

are no longer a concern.

SPACE TWIN – DOUBLE

THE CONVENIENCE

This solution harnesses the

dual power of functionality

and compact storage, offering

double the storage capacity

within a single pull-out unit.

Ideal for under-sink areas

or low base cabinets, SPACE

TWIN makes use of even

the smallest storage spaces,

from 200mm in width.

As such all essentials can

be neatly organised and

made easily accessible, thus

enhancing daily efficiency

and eliminating the frustration associated

with cluttered spaces.

A CLEVER SINK DRAWER SOLUTION

Kitchen organisation is refined by

transforming the unused space beneath a

sink into a fully functional drawer. Tailored to

fit around plumbing, this design maximises

every square inch of available space.

Cleaning supplies and kitchen essentials

can be stored neatly under the sink for easy

access and the use of moisture-resistant

materials guarantees a durable solution

that sustains in a typically humid area,

thus ensuring long-term utility and ease.

Find out more at www.blum.com/gb/en.

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providing better efficiency in performing tasks.

For further information or to arrange a demonstration, please contact

Customer Services on 01908 866100.

Learn more at www.mirka.co.uk

10 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

JJ Smith’s range of

innovative woodworking

machinery for garden

product manufacturing

Garden products, despite often featuring simple designs,

require numerous intricate machining operations during

manufacturing. This includes processes such as straight

and angled cutting, notching, trenching, shaping, drilling,

grooving, mortising and tenoning

Comec MD TOP XL 4-axis

machining centre

In the UK, a broad range of outdoor garden

products are produced, including sheds, log

cabins, tables, chairs, benches, gates,

gazebos and planters. Boosting the efficiency

of these processes is vital for achieving the

high-quality standards expected in this sector.

CROSSCUTTING SAWS: FROM MANUALLY-

OPERATED TO FULLY-AUTOMATIC

JJ Smith, with over 100 years’ experience in

solid wood machining, is a leading supplier

of machinery in this market. Having gained a

wealth of experience in the garden products

manufacturing sector, the company is able to

supply a comprehensive range of machinery,

from manually-operated offerings to the

latest generation of CNC machining centres,

catering to all levels of production needs.

Crosscutting is often a key operation in

garden product manufacturing, and JJ Smith

provides a wide array of saws to meet this

requirement. The range includes manually

operated Graule radial arm models to fully

automatic programmable machines from

Stromab. The machinery range includes the

Matrix straight cutting saw, the best-selling

CT600 for straight or angled cutting, plus

the F model, which has the added in-built

trenching/notching head feature.

SEMI- & FULLY-AUTOMATIC SWING

CHISEL MORTISERS

For mortising operations, JJ Smith supplies

both semi- and fully-automatic swing chisel

mortisers from Deltawood and Centauro.

For more complex tenoning operations,

the Comec Frontal double-sided machine

Stromab Blox for 4-way notching

of log cabin corner joints

offers automatic hopper feed loading,

making it ideal for volume production.

For manufacturers that require a more

versatile solution, the Comec MD TOP

range of 3- and 4-axis CNC work centres

provides a user-friendly platform that’s

quick and simple to set up, making them

perfect for short batch production runs.

Machining operations include shaping,

cutting, drilling – on all faces – in addition

to slotting, and an automatic loader can

be specified to aid volume production.

When greater complexity is required,

JJ Smith offers the Comec Driver 5-axis series

for even more intricate machining needs.

4-WAY NOTCHES IN WALLS, SPECIALITY

JOBS & VOLUME PRODUCTION

The production of garden buildings can

be further enhanced using the Stromab B

lox, which is particularly suited to crafting

the 4-way notch in walls, ranging from

28mm to 44mm in thickness. Meanwhile,

for speciality jobs like machining a ball

shape on planter posts or pointing the top

of decking posts, the Comec FRT CN machine

is an ideal solution. For volume production

of round or pointed fence panels, the Comec

Frontal model delivers unparalleled results.

For hands-on demonstrations, many of

these machines are set up and available

at JJ Smith’s expansive Liverpool showroom,

where the company’s experienced sales

team is ready to assist with any requests

and enquiries. For further information, call

0151 548 9000, email sales@jjsmith.co.uk

or visit www.jjsmith.co.uk.

Deltawood twin

head CNC mortiser

Pade CNC-controlled bandsaw

with automatic table movement

Thirsk Tables’ £100k solar panel investment

further reduces carbon emissions

Established in 1994 in an area of

North Yorkshire renowned for its long

history of furniture manufacturing,

Thirsk Tables is owned by Chris Blair

and Jake Bailey.

This contract table manufacturer is

committed to growing the business

by offering high quality products at

competitive prices and at a level of service

that’s second to none. “Our focus is on

producing high quality table-tops, table

frames and bespoke furniture that not

only looks stunning, but which stands

the test of time in busy commercial

environments,” Chris explains.

Central to the company’s ethos,

however, is its sustainability and

environmental credentials, and Chris

proudly tells us that Thirsk Tables has

been a carbon neutral company for the

last six years, but not wishing to rest on

their laurels, also believe in continuous

improvement. The most recent example

of this is the installation of 258 solar

panels at the company’s premises, an

investment totalling some £100,000.

On this subject, Chris says: “Offsetting

your carbon emissions is good, but

reducing emissions is even better. Most

of our carbon footprint comes from the

200,000Kwh (units) of electricity we use

each year. Big woodworking machines

use big electric motors.”

This significant investment, which

equates to 258 solar panels, covers the

roofs of five industrial units, which should

generate 104,000Kwh of clean energy

every year. “We won’t use all of it ourselves

because in the evenings and at weekends,

the power generated will go into the

national grid, but it will provide us with

about one third of the electricity required

during working hours.”

With a lifespan of over 20 years, the

solar panels will also reduce the impact

of energy inflation and help keep Thirsk

Tables competitive. Chris and Jake would

also like to extend a big thank you to their

electrician of many years, Alex Ward

(G. W. & J. Ward Electrical Contractors &

Renewable Energy Installers) and his team,

for doing such a fantastic job of the install.

For more information on Thirsk Tables,

see www.thirsktables.co.uk.

OCTOBER 2024 PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKING TODAY ISSUE 001

11

ISO Certification achievement

leads to further recognition for

Extractly Ltd

Following the announcement this time last year that Extractly Limited had

achieved ‘SafeContractor’ status, the company has now attained further

recognition with the achievement of ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 Certification

Dust and fume extraction

engineers, Extractly Limited,

are also the sole UK distributor

for the energy-saving Ecogate®

‘extraction-on-demand’ system

ISO certifications undoubtedly add

credibility to a business’ reputation and

are widely regarded as an endorsement

of a company’s commitment to high

standards, as Extractly’s General Manager,

Kieran Redmond, explained:

PRACTICES & PROCESS PUT TO THE TEST

“Following discussions with Citation ISO

Certification Ltd – formerly QMS – we

made the decision to go ahead, putting

our practices and processes to the test.

The initial motivation for wanting to achieve

ISO Certification was led by our desire to

gain a competitive edge in the marketplace

by maximising customer satisfaction,

and we were confident that ensuring

our work was always carried out to the

highest quality standards, with meticulous

attention to regulatory compliance, could

go a long way towards achieving this goal.”

Operations Director, Graham Day, who’s

supported Kieran throughout the process,

added: “Kieran had invested a lot of time

and effort into securing SafeContractor

accreditation for Extractly and, although

we hadn’t necessarily been documenting

everything to the levels required for ISO

9001, it was clear that we’d already been

fulfilling most of the obligations and

responsibilities demanded by Citation.”

MINIMISING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

In conclusion, Kieran Redmond

commented: “As well as enhancing the

service we can offer to our customers,

the process of ISO 9001 certification has

helped to foster a culture of continuous

improvement throughout the business,

and we’re all particularly proud to have

achieved ISO 14001, which demonstrates

how committed we are to minimising the

environmental impact of our business with,

for example, a comprehensive programme

of waste recycling, implementing low

energy lighting and, as widely as possible,

adopting the use of hybrid and electric

vehicles,” he finishes.

For further information on Extractly Limited,

call 01924 520 462, email info@extractly.

co.uk or visit www.extractly.co.uk.

12 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

LATEST TIMBER TRADE NEWS

Latest TDUK report shows wood imports remain

subdued but signify optimism for 2025

According to the latest Timber

Development report, imports

for July, the latest month for

which data is available, were

higher than in July 2023 – the

second consecutive month that’s seen

growth compared to the previous year.

Import volumes grew by 0.5% in June

2024, followed by 2.9% in July. As a result,

the deficit of import volumes in 2024

compared to 2023 continues to reduce.

Considering the fact the market saw

comparatively weaker import volumes

during the second half of 2023, if even

modest improvements continue during the

second half of 2024, total import volumes for

the year will likely move ahead of last year.

Overall deficit of January to July 2024

import volumes for the main timber and

panel products remain 2.8% lower when

compared to the first seven months of

2023. Solid wood imports were 1.7% lower,

with panel product imports down 4.8%.

Improved volumes of softwood,

particleboard and OSB have been largely

responsible for reducing the deficit, with

softwood imports by the end of July 2024

just 1% behind the volume of the seven

months to July 2023.

The value of softwood imports in the first

seven months of 2024 was 3.4% lower than

over the same period in 2023. This overall

decline in value of 3.4% was caused by the

1.3% reduction in volume

coupled with a 2.1% fall in

the average price of the

basket of softwood imports.

The value of planed softwood

was 1.5% lower compared to

2023, with the value of sawn

goods being 5.3% lower.

The National Softwood

Division (NSD) has also issued

its forecast for 2024 and 2025,

believing that import volumes

will remain subdued in 2024,

falling to around 5.6 million m3

before a 5% recovery forecast

for 2025 to reach a level of

around 5.9 million m3. UK

softwood imports in 2024

are predicted to be 2.6%

lower than in 2023.

TDUK Head of Technical

and Trade, Nick Boulton,

said: “It’s encouraging to see

a continued fall in the timber import

deficit for 2024 when compared to the

first seven months of 2023. While it’s still

too early to have a clear idea of second half

wood imports, the optimism for increased

private housing and RMI in 2025 is certainly

encouraging businesses to maintain wood

stocks through regular imports rather than

letting them fall further. While our NSD

forecast is probably a realistic reflection of

current construction levels, the thought of

better times ahead may encourage some

additional imports as we head to year end.

“The new Government continues to

push ahead on its pledge to improve

housebuilding starts across Britain. At

the recent Labour Party Conference, this

included plans to build 1.5 million new

homes within five years. If this can be

achieved it’ll certainly be a boost for the

timber industry, for which new timber-frame

houses are a key source of demand, but it

remains to be seen whether or not

this challenging pledge can be delivered.

“We look forward to working with the

Government to tackle the challenges

that stand in the way of this achievement

and believe that mass timber building

can help the entire country achieve its

housebuilding and economic goals.”

TDUK members can sign in and

read the full report via the website:

www.timberdevelopment.uk.

TDUK releases over 170 free-to-use

technical case studies

To celebrate three years since

the official launch, Timber

Development UK (TDUK) has

made all 174 of its technical case

studies free for all to download.

This includes the very best uses of timber in

construction from the past decade – including

dozens of Wood Awards winners – such as the

RIBA Stirling Prize winning Magdalene College

Library and Goldsmith Street projects.

From beautiful schools through to stunning

homes, swimming pools, hospitals, retrofits,

gridshells, interiors and community

buildings, TDUK’s case study library is an

incredibly rich source of timber knowledge.

Together, these form an essential learning

TDUK’s case studies

include technical

drawings and insights

resource for students from the design team...

and professionals

alike, and the basis of

its monthly webinar series ‘designTimber’,

which is delivered by the architects,

engineers and design teams behind

each project.

“When we came together three years

ago, this was with the aim of connecting

the supply chain, leading best practice

and accelerating a low carbon future,”

commented TDUK Chief Executive,

David Hopkins.

“We’re very proud of our work over

the last three years, which has included

dozens of new case studies, which contain

both technical details and explanations,

in addition to key performance data on

carbon. Sharing knowledge is crucial, as

timber is an essential tool to overcoming the

UK’s climate and housing crisis, and we want

every architect, engineer and contractor

in the country to know how best to use it.

“At its heart, Timber Development UK is a

community – a place for people passionate

about using wood to make a difference

to connect, network, share and learn – no

matter which part of the supply chain you

work in. This is why we say that those who

work with wood already belong. Because

anyone who touches timber – whether

working in a forest, a joinery workshop,

behind a desk, on a building site, or those

just starting their journey – we’re here

to support you.

“For all our members, and the tens

of thousands of professionals across the

UK who, over the past few years, have

downloaded our resources, attended our

events, given us a follow or sent a message

of support – members, non-members and

students – we’re incredibly thankful.

“If you do enjoy our work and would like

to show support by joining, please do get

in touch. We’d love to have you in our

community, and of course, tell you about

the many benefits that are exclusive to

members. Meanwhile, we’re going to

continue adding more case studies – and

some really exciting new publications will

be coming to our library before the end of

the year – so please do explore all we have

to offer, and keep in touch.”

To download case studies, along with

hundreds of other resources, simply create

a free account, which takes less than 30

seconds. This will connect you to the TDUK

network, and allow you to receive updates,

which feature the very best of UK timber

in construction.

To find out about all membership

benefits, join via the website –

www.timberdevelopment.uk – or get

in touch with the membership team.

... in addition to

performance data

on carbon, both

embodied and

operational

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14 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

A HOMAG homage, courtesy of a small

business owner

Ian Woollard, Owner of the family-run Woollards

of Mildenhall, was recently interviewed regarding

the purchase of HOMAG’s EDGETEQ S-300

He spoke with such eloquence

– not just about machinery,

but about HOMAG in general

– that he more or less

encapsulated what it means

for a small business to partner up with

the woodworking giant. With a special

thanks to Ian, here’s the full story.

Woollards of Mildenhall is a small familyrun

business that has been creating highquality,

bespoke kitchen, bathroom and

bedroom interiors for over 75 years.

With a reputation for personal, dedicated

service, Woollards has always prided itself

on delivering exceptional craftsmanship.

MACHINE LEARNING

When the time came to upgrade their

machinery, the company’s first thought

was HOMAG. “We needed a new machine

to replace an old faithful,” Ian explains.

“We had a HOMAG edgebander 17 years

previously, which had worked pretty much

flawlessly throughout that period of time.

“Right from the start, going back to when

we purchased that original machine, it was

always the HOMAG way to understand a

business before they recommended the

machines to be considered – machines that’d

lend themselves to current need as well

as potential need for a growing business.

“When starting off with an edgebander,

or any machine, when you haven’t had

the benefit of it before, you don’t really

appreciate the true value it brings to your

business – until you’re using it. HOMAG,

of course, know exactly what their machines

are capable of, and they share this wisdom

with you in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

These machines open doors, but it’s the

people behind them who show you the

way through.

“Anyway, after 17 years of it, we were

no strangers to edgebanding and all the

benefits it brings to our small business.

But nothing lasts forever, and the time came

for us to invest in something new. Although,

having said that, our old edgebander has

since been recommissioned, and is now

with another small business over in Norfolk.

They’re thrilled with it, and for us, it’s great

knowing its lifespan has been expanded

with another family business, but I digress!”

DISCOVERING THE EDGETEQ S-300

“So we were in the market for a new

machine, and to be frank, there was never

any question of looking anywhere other

than HOMAG – we’d been so delighted

with everything they’d done for us up

until that point.

“Our minimum requirement for the

new edgebander was that it needed to

do everything the old one did. We also

suspected there may have been one or two

advancements in edgebanding technology

since the early 2000s, so we were more

than happy for HOMAG to educate us on

those advancements and the benefits

they could bring.”

For Woollards, the relationship with

HOMAG has always been more than

just about the machines: “As a HOMAG

customer, you benefit from a gentle

relationship of service. Not only do they

keep your machines in good nick, they’re

also a great source of information with

regards to recent developments in the

market,” Ian confirms. Guided by the

expertise of HOMAG technicians, it wasn’t

long before Woollards had their sights

firmly set on the EDGETEQ S-300.

THE TECHNICAL EDGE

The EDGETEQ S-300 offered not only

familiarity but also added benefits, thanks

to advancements made in edgebanding

technology. “The most noticeable

improvement with the EDGETEQ S-300

is a greater level of accuracy. The finetuning

of all the tooling, the machine’s

output, the consistency… it’s next level.

Needless to say, we were really impressed.

“We’re also really enjoying the ease of

use and adjustment. The software probably

deserves an article of its own – honestly, it’s

a delight. Remarkably intuitive. Altogether,

in our experience, the system is flawless.

From start to finish, the edgebanding

process has become seamless.”

INSTALLATION & TRAINING

The installation process was equally

as smooth, as Ian recalls: “The guys who

delivered and installed the machine were

highly professional individuals. And very

friendly – they didn’t mind us being specific

and awkward! For instance, we asked them

to reposition the EDGETEQ three times,

which they did without complaint. In fact,

like us, they were determined to get the

positioning just right, down to the millimetre.

“HOMAG then disseminated two tiers of

training – an advanced level for myself and

my eldest son David, covering the machine’s

administrative detail, which we didn’t want

to burden the wider team with; and a more

basic level, which provided the necessary

information for our operators to use the

machine effectively.”

This programme was devised and

coordinated by HOMAG’s Carl Mullins.

“Carl was exceptionally good at

understanding our operation,” Ian reflects.

“We were honestly amazed at the extent

to which he tailored the training to our

specific needs.”

PRAISE FOR THE PEOPLE

“Everyone from HOMAG – particularly those

we dealt with directly – is worthy of praise:

Punit Hirani, Charles Smith, Marie Harrison

and Kyle Smith, to name a few. But I want

to give a special mention to Carl Mullins. He

really embodies the professionalism of the

HOMAG brand, working with a level of care

and attention that’s benefited our business

beyond measure.

“No matter who you deal with at HOMAG,

the calibre of the people is a great reflection

of the calibre of their machinery. We’ve never

encountered someone who hasn’t made

time for us, who hasn’t been patient, who

The EDGETEQ S-300

benefits from a greater

level of accuracy

hasn’t either been

able to answer a

question or ask us

to bear with them as

they seek the solution

that’s right for us.”

FINAL THOUGHTS

Ian concludes: “In

HOMAG, we found

a partner who we can

readily identify with,

who understands our

needs, wants and our

direction of travel, who

can even help with the

steering of our business

moving forward. For

us, HOMAG was, is,

and always will be

the staple choice.”

If you’d like more

information or a

demonstration of any

HOMAG machinery

and software – including

the fantastic EDGETEQ

S-300 edgebander –

contact Adele Hunt

at HOMAG UK on

01332 856 424 or

visit the website:

www.homag.com/en.

Delivery and installation

of the EDGETEQ S-300

was a smooth and highly

professional experience

Ease of use,

adjustment

and software

are all standout

features


15

Following expansion,

EndtoEnd IT Ltd reports

remarkable growth

& industry impact

Following a strategic move to new offices in Halifax, West

Yorkshire, EndtoEnd IT Ltd – a leading provider of integrated

software solutions for the window and door industry – has

marked a year of remarkable growth and industry impact

The past 12 months have been nothing

short of extraordinary for EndtoEnd IT

Ltd. Notably, the company witnessed an

impressive 74% increase in processed orders,

demonstrating a growing demand for its

innovative solutions. More importantly, for

those window and door businesses that use

integrate, this has been accompanied by an

impressive 30% growth in order value overall.

The value of all orders processed totalled some

£87 million, which not only indicates an

increase in quantity but also suggests a rise

in the scale of projects undertaken.

Perhaps of greatest significance, year

on year, conversion rates from quote to

orders have increased by 50%. This pivotal

improvement speaks volumes as to

integrate’s effectiveness in streamlining

sales process and meeting user needs.

The company’s flagship software,

integrate, continues to drive efficiency

and productivity across the industry.

Its four essential components –

integrateCORE; integrateCRM; integratePRO;

and integrateFIT – have contributed to

significant time and cost savings for clients.

For example, the integrateCORE module

is estimated to save half an hour per quote

– a seemingly small amount until you

consider the volume of quotes processed.

When observed over the year, this adds

up to approximately 1,179 full days – over

three years saved for clients in the past

12 months alone.

Gareth O’Brien, Director of EndtoEnd,

reflected on the company’s progress:

“We’re delighted with the data results. It’s

this kind of efficiency that’s making waves

across the window and door industry. It

shows that investing in integrate will

genuinely increase the value of your

business.” He added: “The move to new

offices provided a new space for our

expanding team to further enhance these

offerings. We deliberately chose to invest in

physical offices and bring the team together

in one place; this provides our clients with

genuine, helpful support, and it’s paying off.”

EndtoEnd IT Ltd’s expansion comes on the

heels of significant growth in the preceding

two years. The company had already seen

a 52% increase in users, a 58% rise in

customers, and an impressive 89% growth

in monthly subscriptions. The move to new,

spacious offices at The Craggs Country

Business Park in September 2023 was a

strategic decision to provide the necessary

infrastructure required to support this

growth trajectory. Since then, EndtoEnd has

processed an astounding 57,000 quotes and

more than 10,000 orders, highlighting the

scale of its operations and industry impact.

As the team settles into a second year at

their new location, it seems that the stunning

views are providing great inspiration. To

find out more, visit www.endtoendit.com.

SENTRY+

Details

that make

the difference.

3* High Security Euro Cylinders stocked in 4 finishes.

Now you can add a 3* kitemarked euro cylinder to your door

without compromising on the finish. Range of sizes as well as

key-key and key-thumbturn available.

www.hardwick.co.uk

16 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

HOMAG celebrates 25 years

of pioneering window production

HOMAG is marking a significant milestone: 25 years of pioneering window production solutions. Since the introduction

of their first CNC technology in the late 1990s, HOMAG has consistently led the way in developing automated solutions

for window manufacturing

What started as a

response to the need

for handling diverse

window construction

without manual tool

changes has evolved into a robust line

of machines that have transformed

the industry.

The HOMAG CENTATEQ

P-310 – ideal for

window production

A LEGACY OF INNOVATION

Since 1999, HOMAG has been at the

forefront of creating state-of-the-art

CNC window production technology.

The journey began with the introduction

of the BOF 311/40/PM, their first machine

designed with a specific clamping system

for window scantlings, delivering

unprecedented performance and laying

the groundwork for further innovation.

Key developments included the Flex5

unit in 2004 for versatile sawing, routing,

and drilling at any angle, and the chain

changer for quick tool changes. In 2008,

HOMAG launched the powerProfiler BOF

700, an automatic machining centre

featuring the innovative MA table for

automatic reclamping. The powerProfiler 2

was unveiled in 2011, boasting a new design

for improved efficiency in automated

window production. In 2014, HOMAG

introduced the next generation of

powerProfilers with extended functions,

including 3D clamping technology and the

Tooltower tool storage system for faster

changeover times.

Two decades of development came

to a head in 2018 with a significant

design change and the rebranding of

the powerProfiler series to the CENTATEQ

S-800/900 – a stark indication that HOMAG,

and by extension the window manufacturing

industry as a whole, had entered a new era.

THE LATEST

LUXURIES

The HOMAG

The culmination CENTATEQ

of HOMAG’s 25- S-900 offers a

year legacy can complete door

be seen in its

processing

latest CENTATEQ solution

series, which

represents the

pinnacle of window production

technology. Each machine in the

series – CENTATEQ P-310, CENTATEQ P-510,

and CENTATEQ S-800/S-900 – has been

designed to meet the demands of modern

manufacturers, combining sophisticated

technology with user-friendly operation.

The CENTATEQ P-310 is celebrated for

its versatile performance in CNC processing.

Its compact design and customisable

configuration with a great choice of clamps

and fixtures makes it

ideal for window/joinery

production. The machine’s

advanced area scanner

technology (safeScan)

ensures safe and

efficient operation

without compromising

productivity.

“We were asked the

other day what was the

key benefit of the new

HOMAG CENTATEQ P-310

to our business, and I

blurted out: ‘You can make

money using it!’”, praises

Ryan Woodward, Director

at French & Westcott, who

was recently interviewed

regarding his company’s

investment in the P-310.

“And ultimately, that’s

what it’s all about. We

now process almost every

component of a window

or door on the CNC

because it is so much

quicker and more

accurate. It is a real

game-changer, without

a shadow of a doubt.”

Similarly, the CENTATEQ

P-510 takes production

capabilities to the next level, offering a

complete system for the most demanding

production requirements. With scalable

performance and a moving gantry designed

for high-precision work, this machine is ideal

for manufacturing stairs, furniture, doors,

and of course, windows. Its innovative design

allows for complex tasks to be handled

efficiently, meeting diverse customer

needs with exceptional accuracy.

Last but certainly not least, the CENTATEQ

S-800/S-900 models, which stand out as the

ultimate solutions for automated window

production. Designed for both entry-level

applications and high-capacity industrial

operations, these machines offer automated

loading and clamping, multi head 4 & 5-axis

technology and independent part processing

capabilities. The series supports continuous,

multi-shift operation, which significantly

increases throughput.

“The results we’ve achieved with this new

machine have been outstanding,” shares

Dion Panting, Managing Director at Mumford

& Wood. “We even managed to process 270

components in one nine-hour shift, which is

1997 model of

a HOMAG CNC

processing centre

for professional

window production

unheard of in complex window

manufacturing. Every part comes off

correct and finished to the premium

quality standards we demand.”

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Even as HOMAG celebrates this significant

milestone, the company remains focused

on the ever-evolving demands of window

manufacturing and finding new ways to

give its customers a razor-sharp, crystalclear

edge.

There’s no telling what the next 25 years

will hold for HOMAG. But given its history

of innovation, its active adoption of the latest

technologies, and its commitment to evolve

alongside the needs of its customers, it’s

safe to assume there’s plenty more where

that came from.

If you’d like more information or a

demonstration of any of the HOMAG

machinery and software, contact Adele

Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856 424.


17

Craghoppers launches first workwear collection

This year, Craghoppers is launching its first workwear collection, boasting high quality, socially responsible

and sustainably made products with innovative features and technologies, which are inherent to the popular

British outdoor and adventure travel clothing brand

In 2021, Craghoppers’ Expert range

of work-ready, outdoor apparel was

re-introduced to the market. This allowed

businesses to protect their staff from

the elements in smart outdoor-inspired

uniforms. Since then, the company’s design

team has taken on board valuable customer

feedback to produce a complete range of

hard-wearing workwear, fit for a variety

of jobs.

JACKETS

The inaugural collection launches with

a range of jackets, fit for a variety of end

users. The Castleford Hybrid Workwear

Jacket blends the planet-friendly warmth

of a Craghoppers synthetic down jacket with

first-rate freedom of movement developed

in the brand’s softshell jackets, perfect for

moving around in cold environments.

The Richmond Stretch Workwear Jacket,

Whitby Softshell Workwear Jacket and

Morley Fleece Workwear Jacket, complete

the range. The Richmond is hard-wearing

and waterproof, made with a polyester

ripstop for rigorous work in downpours,

whereas the Whitby and Morley provide

warmth and are both showerproof, thanks

to Craghoppers’ plant-based DWR. All three

offerings are adjustable at the cuffs, hem

and hood, for a comfy fit and feature plenty

of pockets to keep essentials close at hand.

The Morely can be worn either as an outeror

mid-layer under a waterproof jacket,

helping to keep you warm and dry.

BASE LAYERS

The Craghoppers Workwear range

also features three soft-to-the-touch base

layers: the Wakefield Pocket Workwear

T-Shirt; Batley Workwear T-Shirt; and the

Oulston Workwear Hoodie. Each garment

is made from organic cotton and designed to

offer maximum mobility. This is particularly

relevant with the Oulston, which has extra

panelling to the shoulder and arms,

allowing the wearer to reach higher.

LEGWEAR

Moving to legwear, the Sheffield Stretch

Holster Workwear Trouser is made from

a lightweight grid softshell with plenty of

stretch for active work and added Cordura

panelling for a sturdy trouser. Featuring

16 pockets in total, including an RFID security

pocket and removable holster pockets,

these trousers also benefit from articulated

knees, a hammer loop and various other

helpful additions, which help to make

these trousers an ideal work companion.

The Bedale Stretch Cargo Workwear

Trouser offers a choice for those in need

of something more heavyweight. Made

from Better Cotton cotton/elastane heavy

basket weave with reinforced panelling,

they feature triangle reinforcement stitching

to the crotch, which helps prevent splitting,

and the addition of odour control patches

ensures a fresh feeling for longer. The

Bedale also shares many features found

in the Sheffield: knee pockets for knee

protectors, a hammer loop, with plenty of

pockets, alongside a part-elasticated waist

and articulated knees for freer movement.

Caroline Sheehan, Designer for

Craghoppers Workwear, says: “The key

focus for each piece in this collection was

centred around style, comfort and durability,

which was continuously emphasised

throughout the whole design process.

“We drew upon important elements

from our main collection such as true

functionality, strong technologies and

sustainability, such as our plant-based

DWRs and use of part-recycled materials.

This helped to guarantee that each product

in the range was held to the same high

standards of enduring quality that our

customers have come to expect.”

Shop the Craghoppers Workwear range

in store or online at www.craghoppers.

com/expert-collection.

Legwear

features useful

additions such

as various

pockets,

articulated

knees and a

hammer loop

OHRA expands sales team in the UK to further

strengthen position as market leader

The new OHRA

sales team in the

UK, from left to

right: Barry Lappin,

Steve Morrison and

Stephen Dimond

Stephen Dimond – with over 20 years

of experience in the mezzanine industry

and factory equipment – is committed

to providing close, personal service

along with the proven reliability of

OHRA racking systems. “Our racking is

produced entirely in-house, ensuring the

highest quality standards,” he confirms.

Unlike competitors, OHRA uses full-walled,

hot-rolled steel profiles rather than thin

sheet metal, enabling high load capacities

with a slim, efficient design.

Barry Lappin adds: “This approach

has made us the European market leader

in cantilever racking. Our next goal is to

enhance OHRA’s brand recognition and

profile in the UK.” Lappin, who holds a

degree in sales and marketing from Dublin,

has extensive experience as a key account

manager in the mezzanine industry.

OHRA – a leading specialist in heavyduty

storage technology – is enhancing

its UK sales team with the addition of

two key personnel.

Stephen Dimond – appointed as Sales

Director UK – will now oversee customer

relations across the Midlands in addition

to Mid and North Wales, operating from

Birmingham. Meanwhile, Barry Lappin –

based in Wigan – has joined as Sales

Manager, focusing on the North of

England and Scotland. Steve Morrison

– a long-standing member of the OHRA

team – continues to lead efforts in southern

England, the Home Counties, and South

Wales. This strategic restructuring allows

OHRA to respond more quickly and

efficiently to market demands, while offering

customers highly personalised support in the

development of their warehouse solutions.

SERVICE & QUALITY

“In recent years, we’ve focused on

strengthening our presence in the

European Union, where we’ve solidified

our position as a leading manufacturer

of cantilever racking,” says Raymond

Wolsey, Export Sales Director at OHRA.

“We now aim to further tap into the UK

market and establish a leading position

here as well.”

SOLUTIONS FOR AUTOMATION

OHRA’s initial focus will be on the

construction and woodworking industries,

where the company already counts major

EU players as clients. “We’re also expanding

our offerings in warehouse automation,

particularly for long goods,” explains Wolsey.

“As this becomes an increasingly vital topic

for our customers, we aim to provide real

added value through our expertise and

partner network.”

For further information on OHRA cantilever

and pallet racks, visit www.ohra.co.uk.

18 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

SCM’s new Slovenia

subsidiary is officially

inaugurated

SCM Adria was officially inaugurated from 24–28

September in Trzin (Ljubljana), the new commercial branch

of SCM Group, a leading multinational in technologies

and services for secondary wood processing

The headquarters is

perfectly located for

networking and testing

new innovations and

digital transformation

trends. Boasting in

excess of over

1,600sq.m, there’s two

Technology Centres

and over 30 machines

on display”

The launch of this new subsidiary is

aimed at providing direct, punctual

and highly specialised sales and

service support to woodworking

businesses in Slovenia and Serbia.

The SCM team will also work in conjunction

with dealers in Croatia and Bosnia as well

as acting as a benchmark for the entire

Balkans area.

The official ceremony with ribbon

cutting took place on 26 September in

the presence of local dignitaries, including

Giuseppe Cavagna, the Italian Ambassador

to Slovenia; Giacomo Ricciotti, the Director

of Italian Trade Agency (ICE); and Peter Ložar,

the Mayor of Trzin.

The event welcomed hundreds of visitors:

businesses, professionals and stakeholders

from all over the Balkan region as well

as from other neighbouring European

countries, proof that the headquarters

has a strategic geographical position.

From 24–25 September, the Grand

opening was preceded by two days set

aside for wood/furniture training centres,

in line with SCM’s wishes not only to provide

direct, punctual commercial and technical

support to customers and dealer partners,

but also to help bring new generations closer

to the profession by providing machinery,

software and digital services for highly

qualified and constantly updated training.

FULLY-EQUIPPED HEADQUARTERS

The new headquarters is perfectly

located for networking and testing new

innovations and digital transformation

trends. Boasting in excess of over 1,600sq.m,

there’s two Technology Centres, one

dedicated to artisan joinery work and the

other to bespoke industrial production

and design, with a varied range of solutions

for machining panels and solid wood. Over

needs not only throughout the machine’s

entire life cycle, but for the duration of their

entrepreneurial activity. This can be achieved

not only thanks to technology – which still

lies at the core of SCM’s experience – but by

offering an ecosystem of software, services

and skills, with a very high added value.”

SCM’s Commercial Director, Gabriele

Patti, added: “SCM continues to invest in

order to guarantee a capillary and direct

presence on the most strategic markets

at an international level. Slovenia and

Serbia – the countries directly served by

SCM’s branch – most definitely falls into this

From left to right: Peter Ložar, Major of Trzin (Ljubljana);

Giuseppe Cavagna, Italian Ambassador in Slovenia;

Giacomo Ricciotti, Director of Italian Trade Agency –

ICE; Lorenzo Trolese, Country Manager of SCM Adria;

Gabriele Patti, Commercial Director of SCM; Pietro

Gheller, Director of SCM Wood Division; Umberto

Turchetto, CFO of SCM Adria

30 machines are on display in total and all

connected. A Digital Corner gives visitors

the opportunity to discover the numerous

digital services offered by SCM’s Maestro

connect IoT platform, including the new

proactive and predictive technical advisory

assistance service. Additionally, a Control

Room makes the most of advanced AI

technology and the many years of

experience clocked up by SCM’s service

team to prevent any malfunctioning or

machine downtimes in advance.

The headquarters also has a Training

Room for hosting software courses, including

SCM’s new MES, which controls the factory’s

IT flow. The partnership with local clients

and market leaders, who provided flooring,

furniture and furnishing accessories entirely

manufactured using SCM solutions, has also

been important.

FURTHER GROWTH & INVESTMENT

The branch’s team has been working

since January 2024 and includes technicians

and sales engineers, all of whom are

highly qualified in the application fields

of secondary wood processing. SCM

will continue to invest throughout 2025,

adding new professional resources

to support clients and partner dealers.

Pietro Gheller, Director of SCM Wood

Division, says: “The concept and structure

behind the new Slovenian branch perfectly

reflects the group’s vision: to develop a

long-standing, continuous and shared

relationship with the client; supporting

category as well as the entire Balkans area.

The figures recorded by SCM in recent

years show a growth situation in the

woodworking sector, with companies

proving to be increasingly more advanced

from a technological point of view, both

in furniture and timber construction.”

“With the opening of SCM Adria,

Slovenian and Serbian companies in

the sector can benefit from an all-round

commercial and technical partnership,”

explains Lorenzo Trolese, SCM’s Country

Manager for the Balkans area. “When

outfitting the headquarters and choosing

the team, we aimed to concentrate on

servicification and digitalisation: we can

observe a healthy and growing interest in

our digital services from companies in the

Balkans and are confident that the group’s

latest investments in these areas can

guarantee a genuine positive shift in quality.”

Ambassador, Giuseppe Cavagna,

emphasised that: “SCM’s investment is

significant in the wood machining sector,

which is crucial to Slovenia’s economic

landscape. Over the past few years, Italy

has established itself as the country’s leading

supplier in this field. Italian investments in

Slovenia have been steadily increasing, now

totalling €1.7 billion, which represents an

8.3% share of the overall foreign investment

in Slovenia. We aim to grow further, and

investments like those made by SCM are

definitely pointing in the right direction.”

For further information on SCM Group,

see www.scmgroup.com.


19

COMPETITION

Win! 1 of 3 MPOWER SBS Triple Diamond Stone

Sharpening Stations - worth £195.95 each!

Offering a complete sharpening solution in one convenient platform that can be easily stowed away when not in use,

in conjunction with MPOWER Tools, we have three to give away

Make your workshop the

home of the sharpest tools

on the block. Create the

perfect edge on the most

comprehensive freehand

diamond sharpening station ever created.

A six-stage sharpening journey across three

grades of super durable monocrystalline

diamond, finished on three real leather

strops with three grades of polishing wax

– all backed up by a 10-year guarantee.

A LIFETIME OF SHARPENING

MPOWER’s revolutionary Side By Side (SBS)

sharpening station means this diamond

stone really will last forever, rather than

having to throw away an expensive tool

due to a small part of it being worn.

Owing to the unique manufacturing

process used, a damaged diamond surface

can be inexpensively and easily replaced.

COMPLETE SHARPENING PACKAGE

The Side by Side (SBS) has been in

development for over four years and is

the most complete sharpening package

available. The process of correctly

sharpening a tool, be it a 6mm bevel-edge

chisel or plane iron, involves a number of

essential elements, all of which are cunningly

stored in the SBS canvas carry/storage case.

EASIER TO USE – PLAIN & SIMPLE

Compared to using a traditional doublesided

8in diamond stone, where you set up

to use one side/grade, mount it in the stone

holder, use it, clean it off, reset it to the other

grade, place it back into the stone holder and

start again, the SBS is on your bench ready

to go, instantly offering three grades of

diamond to sharpen on.

The SBS is also the first diamond stone

that’s fitted with three leather-topped

magnetic protective covers with two

different grades of leather: firm and

soft. Three grade sharpening is followed

by three strop finishing, all without moving

from the job.

MANUFACTURING PROCESS

MPOWER has developed a unique process

in manufacturing diamond stones. Six

years ago, they pioneered the use of high

tolerance aluminium extruded cores with

3M adhesive bonded electro plating

diamond plates as the surface, resulting

in the flattest diamond stones available with

a tolerance of +/- 0.00175in. Each Side by

Side is made in MPOWER’s factory in

Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK.

During manufacture every stone

undergoes 11 different QA tests to ensure

that each one meets the very highest

standards possible.

CONTENTS

A high tolerance machined single platform

mounted with three grades of diamond

stone: 300, 600 and 1,200 grit; three ‘on

board’ click-on, click-off, magnetic leather

strop covers in two different leathers –

firm and soft; three uniquely formulated

grades of polishing wax – 1,800, 2,500 and

5,000; 30ml fully synthetic diamond lapping

fluid and diamond stone cleaning block,

all supplied in a bespoke tough canvas

storage case.

DIMENSIONS

• Overall size: 8 × 12in

• Diamond surface: 3 × 8 × 2.75in

• Total diamond surface: 66sq.in

• Weight not including ancillaries: 1.8kg

• Gross weight: 2.5kg

• 10-year bench stone guarantee:

MPOWER’s new SBS Bench Stone Plates

New DEROS RS 600 rotary sander

from Mirka® – powerful & precise

with a user-centric design

Mirka® UK’s new DEROS RS 600 rotary

sander blends power, precision and usercentric

design to tackle paint removal,

furniture restoration, cabinetry, solid

surface and flooring projects with ease.

This versatile new tool features a robust

750W brushless motor, which ensures

its suitability for sanding a wide variety

of materials and applications efficiently,

while minimising vibrations and noise.

The rotary sander effectively contains the

dust generated through its suction system,

which is distributed around the backing

pad to ensure optimal performance beyond

hole alignment, thus reducing health risks.

Despite being classed as a powerful heavy

duty sander, the DEROS RS 600 is lightweight

and compact, so the user can enjoy smooth

operation along with enhanced comfort and

productivity. In addition, the rotary sander

is equipped with Bluetooth technology,

which provides a host of monitoring and

configuration options.

Neil Newbrook, Business Sector Manager

– Wood for Mirka UK, says: “The DEROS RS

600’s rotary motion delivers aggressive

sanding, making it ideal for tackling tough

materials and heavy-duty applications, which

ensures fast and high material removal rates

in a compact, lightweight sander.”

To find out more about the new Mirka®

DEROS RS 600 rotary sander and other

products, see www.mirka.com/en.

are so tough they’re

covered by a ‘no quibble’

10-year guarantee –

double the industry

standard. Even if the

damage is down to years

and years of regular

sharpening, MPOWER

will supply free

replacement diamond

plates and free shipping.

For more information

on MPOWER Tools, visit

www.mpower-tools.

co.uk.

To be in with a chance

of winning 1 of 3 SBS

Triple Diamond Stone

Sharpening Stations,

visit www.pwtmag.co.uk

and answer the multiple

choice question below:

QUESTION: How many leather strops does the MPOWER

SBS Triple Diamond Stone Sharpening Station contain?

A: Five

B: Three

C: Four

The winners will be randomly drawn from all correct entries. The closing date for the competition

is 29 November 2024. Only one entry per person; multiple entries will be discarded. Employees

of Mapped Out Media Ltd and MPOWER Tools are not eligible to enter this competition

The new

DEROS RS 600

rotary sander

from Mirka®

blends power,

precision and

user-centric

design

20 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

The Combilift team

celebrate their double win

Combilift wins two major accolades

at UKMHA Archie Awards

Combilift has gained further

global recognition having recently

secured awards in two categories

at the recent UK Materials Handling

Association Awards, which was held

in Birmingham on 14 September.

Up against some of the biggest names in

material handling, the company scooped

the coveted ‘Ergonomic Innovation of the

Year’ in addition to ‘Manufacturer Product

Innovation of the Year’ awards.

COMBI-CB70E – ‘ERGONOMIC

INNOVATION OF THE YEAR’

The Combi-CB70E was celebrated for

its ground-breaking ergonomic design.

The 7-ton electric-powered, multidirectional

counterbalance forklift is the shortest 7-ton

capacity truck on the market, making it

highly efficient with long loads in tight

spaces. The truck’s surprisingly spacious

cab, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass,

provides operators with excellent visibility

and enhanced safety.

Combilift retain Deloitte’s Best Managed

Company award for the 12th consecutive year

For the 12th consecutive time in the

awards 16-year history, Combilift has

once again been recognised as a Best

Managed Company, requalifying as

Platinum winner for the sixth time.

The company’s management prowess

was rewarded at Deloitte’s prestigious

awards ceremony, which was held in

Dublin on 19 September.

The Deloitte Best Managed Company

award acknowledges the achievements of

management teams, and not just individuals.

The accolade recognises overall business

performance based on the criteria of

Strategy, Capability and Innovation, Culture

and Commitment, as well as Governance

and Financial Performance. Judges examine

every company based on these four equally

weighted pillars to select a winner.

The Best Managed Companies Programme

originated in Canada in 1993, with Ireland’s

programme being the second longestrunning,

introduced in 2008. In addition

to Ireland and Canada, the programme

is currently run in 48 different countries,

across four continents.

Founded in 1998 by Martin McVicar and

Robert Moffett, Combilift has grown from a

small team of 10 to a total staff of over 850

people, selling to 85 countries worldwide.

When receiving the award, Martin said:

“It’s a great honour for us as a company to

be acknowledged once again by a global

brand such as Deloitte’s Best Managed

Companies. The credibility of this

global award enhances our

brand to scale internationally.”

For more information, see

www.combilift.com.

From left to right: Kevin Hughes;

James Sheerin; Karen O’Connell

A standout feature is the Auto Swivel Seat,

which automatically swivels 15° to the left

or right, depending on direction of travel.

This significantly reduces driver strain,

particularly when reversing.

The CB70E also incorporates a gas

strut suspension system, typically found in

larger industrial machinery. This advanced

suspension and large super-elastic tyres

ensures a smooth ride, even across rough

or uneven terrain or during extended shifts.

Combilift’s independent electric traction

system – previous Red Dot award winner

– provides 100% traction control for all

front and rear drive wheels. This system

eliminates the need for a differential lock

on slippery surfaces, reduces load swing, as

well as enhancing safety and precision when

transporting long, heavy loads – particularly

when navigating sideways, regardless of

ground conditions, for example.

The CB70E also incorporates a gas

strut suspension system, typically found in

larger industrial machinery. This advanced

suspension and large super-elastic tyres

ensures a smooth ride, even across rough

or uneven terrain or during extended shifts.

Combilift’s independent electric traction

system – previous Red Dot award winner

– provides 100% traction control for all front

and rear drive wheels. This system

eliminates the need for a differential lock

on slippery surfaces, reduces load swing,

as well as enhancing safety and precision

(Deloitte); Martin McVicar; Emma

Marron; and Christopher Lovett

when transporting long, heavy

loads – particularly when navigating

sideways, regardless of ground

conditions, for example.

COMBI LC BLADE – ‘MANUFACTURER

PRODUCT INNOVATION OF THE YEAR’

Combilift’s second award – ‘Manufacturer

Product Innovation of the Year’ – went

to the Combi LC Blade, a cutting-edge

machine designed specifically to address

the growing challenges of transporting

offshore wind turbine blades from the

manufacturing plant to storage or

transportation facilities. These blades,

which can reach up to 115m in length

and weigh up to 70 tonnes, have long

posed logistical challenges due to their

size, fragility and complexity.

Combilift CEO and Co-Founder,

Martin McVicar, said: “We’re more than

delighted to have received not just one,

but two prestigious accolades at this year’s

Archies, making this our 12th ceremony to

date. Competing against such high-calibre

competitors highlights what a fantastic

team we have, and their willingness to

push the boundaries of the material

handling industry.”

These awards solidify Combilift’s

winning momentum after taking home

‘Design Team of the Year’ for the LC Blade

and ‘Industry Leader Award’, which

recognised Martin McVicar’s transformative

leadership at the UK EMA Awards in London.

As Archimedes once said: “Give me a

lever long enough and a fulcrum on which

to place it, and I shall move the world.”

Combilift embodies this spirit of innovation

and continues to develop successful and

market-leading material handling solutions;

to find out more, see www.combilift.com.


21

Leadermac UK launches new website

featuring a range of high quality parts

Leadermac UK is excited to

announce the launch of a new,

customer-focused website, which

features over 350 high-quality

parts available for purchase.

Over the coming months, the company

will expand its inventory to offer 1,000+

parts, further enhancing its ability to

meet customers’ diverse needs.

Scott Powell, Marketing Manager at

Leadermac UK, stated: “The new website is a

game-changer for our customers, providing

a seamless shopping experience and easy

access to the parts they need. With our

upcoming expansion to over 1,000 parts,

we’re continuing to demonstrate our

commitment to delivering top-quality

support and service.”

The online shop is designed with an

intuitive interface and streamlined

navigation, making it easier than ever for

customers to find exactly what they need.

This development is part of Leadermac UK’s

ongoing efforts to improve after-care and

support for woodworking customers.

A leader in woodworking machinery and

parts, as well as a trusted industry partner,

Leadermac UK is dedicated to providing

innovative solutions for customers across

the industry. The company’s product

range includes high-performance

moulders, multi-rip saws, grinders and

a comprehensive selection of parts to ensure

long-term reliability and efficiency.

Visit www.leadermac.uk.com to explore

the new website and browse the current

parts selection. Ensure to stay tuned as the

company continues to add further parts

to support its growing customer base.

HiKOKI’s free battery

offer with cordless

tool purchases gives

users more power

& added value

Increase the available power from

your HiKOKI cordless tools by taking

advantage of the company’s free battery

offer. Available for a limited time, UK

customers investing in HiKOKI’s 18V

or MultiVolt cordless tools can claim

this great offer.

“This deal is designed to keep your

tools running longer and your projects

moving faster,” says Jonathan Peters,

HiKOKI’s Product Manager. “In the run

up to Christmas, you may be thinking

about replacing tired-out tools or just

giving yourself a present of raw power

to get jobs done quicker and with less

fuss. This free battery offer doesn’t come

around very often, so ensure to grab it

while it lasts!”

TWO WAYS TO CLAIM YOUR FREE

BATTERY

• Spend £359 or more on any HiKOKI

18V or 36V cordless tools and receive a

free 4.0Ah battery – BSL1840M Battery

Pack – to boost your tool’s runtime.

• Spend £459 or more on any HiKOKI

18V or 36V cordless tools and be

rewarded with a free MultiVolt battery

– BSL36A18X MultiVolt Battery Pack –

which is perfect for powering through

even the toughest jobs.

Simply make a qualifying purchase

and your free battery will be delivered

within 28 days. The promotion runs until

31 December 2024 so there’s plenty of

time to take advantage of these batteryboosting

deals. For further details, visit

www.hikoki-powertools.co.uk.

22 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

Heywood Timber

Engineering tackles

Fermacell with

Striebig & AL-KO

The challenges of using Fermacell are well documented.

The fire-resistant fibre gypsum board, which is often

used as an alternative for plasterboard, blockwork and

wet screed, offers home builders some seriously good

credentials. However, its extremely fragile DNA can lead

to a more labour-intensive approach to manufacturing

in a bid to avoid excessive material waste and the

accumulation of workplace dust

For Heywood Timber Engineering, these

challenges were behind a compressive

two-year search for the right cutting

solution to tackle these problems head

on. The outcome was a Striebig

Compact vertical panel saw and AL-KO dust

extraction unit from TM Machinery.

COMBATTING ISSUES

“We manufacture roof trusses, floor

products and timber frames for our sister

company, Heywood Homes and other third

parties,” begins Domonic Farley, Operations,

QHSE, Transport and Logistics Manager at

Heywood Timber Engineering. “To do this,

we cut a lot of 8×4 Fermacell board. At 52kg

per board, they’re extremely difficult to cut

and due to their brittle nature, can easily

be broken when handled or machined

incorrectly. The compressed fibre structure

also means they unleash an unworldly

amount of fine dust when cut, which is

difficult to extract.

“Our old vertical panel saw was struggling

with this and to try and compensate, we

ended up outsourcing our Fermacell strip

work. We needed to combat these issues.

A lot of saw manufacturers said their models

could cut a wide range of materials, but

Fermacell really is a whole different ball

game. It was only once we’d seen the Striebig

Compact 4164 vertical panel saw perform

some cuts with a six-tooth blade and the

AL-KO PU 160 P dust extraction unit running

alongside it, that we knew we’d found what

we’d spent two years looking for. It offered

a clean, precise cut and made light work of

fine dust.”

TIME & LABOUR SAVINGS

Following a very simple installation process,

which saw the manufacturer merely needing

to add additional three-phase electric points

into its 40,000sq.ft factory, the saw and dust

extraction duo were installed within a day.

“It was as simple as it comes and the AL-KO

was plug and play. The whole process was

completed very quickly with very little

disruption. We got TM’s experts to give our

team some training so they could get a real

understating of how the saw worked and

how best to use it when cutting Fermacell

and other materials. This helped us hit the

ground running.”

Time and labour savings in the timber

frame department were immediate. “Before

the Striebig, we’d have five people cutting,

snapping and scoring Fermacell boards

by hand. It wasn’t a productive method.

An average job would take the team five

days to cut. Now, with the introduction

of the Striebig and AL-KO, the same job

can be done in half a day by a single

operator. Productivity has skyrocketed!”

Domonic continues: “Not only does this

allow us to utilise our labour force more

effectively and use them in other areas

of the business, we can be less reliant on

skilled labour to complete the job. In our

business, everyone has a role to play but

if you get the right people in the right

roles, you can save money and increase

productivity. That you can be sure of.

“We’ve also seen a huge reduction in

waste due to the way the saw cuts through

the material and the fine dust that’d always

cause so many problems in the factory has

now been eradicated.” This is due in part

to AL-KO’s extended filters, which increase

surface area and reduce pressure on the

filters – essential for working efficiently

with fine dust. They’re also made from

a SMP-Tex surface coated filter material,

which has been designed to prevent fine

dust penetrating the filters. In addition to

this, its large integral air surge tank also

ensures maximum filter cleaning with low

demand on your compressed air supply.

The automatic cleaning is also a great

feature. It really helps us stay on top

of maintenance.”

FLEXIBILITY FOR THE FUTURE

The Striebig and AL-KO partnership

also offers the growing company flexibility

going forward. “The house building sector

is constantly looking at ways to make their

homes more energy-efficient. This means

we’re always evolving and finding new ways

to achieve even better results. That’s why

we need the right machinery on our factory

floor to keep up with new materials and

techniques. The Striebig ticks this box and

allows us to improve our manufacturing

capabilities and work with a wider range

of materials quickly and accurately. This

in turn has allowed us to stop outsourcing

pre-cut strips and saves us time and

money during the production process.”

Domonic concludes: “This investment

has resulted in us being able to not only

complete existing jobs 80% quicker and

create a cleaner environment for our

workers, it’s also allowed us to streamline

production and restructure our workforce

to increase productivity. We couldn’t be

happier and would definitely recommend

TM Machinery to others.”

For more information, visit

www.tmmachinery.co.uk.

This investment

has resulted in us

being able to not only

complete existing jobs

80% quicker and create

a cleaner environment

for our workers, it’s

also allowed us to

streamline production

and restructure our

workforce to increase

productivity”


23

Wood Waste Technology helps I-Design furniture

save around £750 per month on skip hire costs

The owner of a Rutland-based manufacturing company is delighted following the purchase of a new wood waste

heater from Wood Waste Technology, which, as they’ve discovered first-hand, delivers everything promised

I-Design Furniture creates innovative

and robust educational accommodation

furniture and other bespoke pieces for

offices, reception areas and laboratories for

independent schools, universities and other

private clients.

The business manufactures in many

materials, but uses a lot of plywood due to

it being an eco-friendly, strong and durable

wood that can be easily fabricated to create

curved surfaces and other desired eyecatching

shapes.

Previously, I-Design’s workshop had

no heating, so was very cold in winter.

Temporary heat sources were employed

in a bid to add some warmth to the factory

on the coldest days, but these were often

inefficient and expensive to use.

After speaking to other wood-based

manufacturing companies and hearing

recommendations for investing in a wood

waste heater, Managing Directors Ben

Walsgrove and Adam Ross set about

conducting their own research. A quick

online search led the pair to discover Wood

Waste Technology, and a realisation that

a wood waste heater could indeed be the

ideal solution.

Following more information and a site

survey, Wood Waste Technology’s team

of specialist engineers installed a WT10

wood waste heater into the factory last

year. i-Design also purchased a summer

heat dump option along with the heater,

which allows the company to burn its

waste all-year round and send the heat

to atmosphere during warmer months.

Ben Walsgrove says: “Once Wood Waste

Technology’s engineers had installed the

heater, the difference was obvious and

the workshop went from freezing cold

to beautifully warm. We’re delighted with

our purchase, which has allowed us to save

around £750 per month on skip costs, as

well as providing free workshop heating.

Our team’s more content now the workshop

is warmer, so it’s good for morale as well

as the bottom line. Some of the staff now

come to work wearing shorts, even in the

winter! The wood waste heater does

everything we were promised it would,

and burns large amounts, including

plywood. It more than fulfils our business

requirements and has been a great

investment that will pay back quickly.”

Kurt Cockroft, MD at Wood Waste

Technology, comments: “We’re delighted

that I-Design is benefitting from the

purchase of a wood waste heater. We’d

advise any business that manufactures

using wood to investigate the options, as

some companies can experience a return

on their investment in under 12 months.”

Wood Waste Technology provides a full

range of wood waste heaters, from smallhand

fired units to larger fully-automatic

systems, as well as offering site survey,

design, manufacture, installation and

ongoing maintenance. The company also

services all types of wood waste heaters

and supplies genuine spares up to 60%

cheaper than others.

In addition, Wood Waste Technology

is the UK’s official distributor for Gross

Apparatebau GmbH – a German

manufacturer of dependable, precisionengineered

shredders and briquetters.

The company is also a distributor for

Putzmaus boiler tube cleaning systems – a

powerful but gentle routine maintenance

solution that’s quick and easy to use,

which helps to increase boiler efficiency

while lowering operating costs.

For more information on how to save

or make money by utilising your

wood waste, call 01785 250 400 or

visit www.woodwastetechnology.com,

www.grossuk.co.uk and www.putzmaus.

co.uk.

I-Design

Furniture’s

WT10 wood

waste heater

MARKETPLACE

International Woodworking Machinery Ltd

International Woodworking Machinery Ltd

Unit Unit 20, 20, Newark Newark Business Park, 3 Brunel Drive, Newark NG24 2EG

Tel Tel 01636918280

Mobile 07944108747

Email ibrown@iwmachines.co.uk

www.iwmachines.co.uk

www.soukup.co.uk

Used Machinery • Components • Services • Auctions • Recruitment

International Woodworking

Machinery Ltd

Unit 20, Newark Business Park,

3 Brunel Drive, Newark, NG24 2EG

MACHINES

IWM Falach Briquetting Presses Turning Your Biomass


Wood Waste into Renewable Energy Briquettes.

Turn Your Biomass Wood Waste including MDF Dust into

Renewable Energy Wood Briquettes, eliminating landfill costs

or or even giving them away. IWM have Five Models Falach 30,

35, 35, 50, 50, 70 70 & 100 to to suit your Production Requirements at very

competitive prices. Each machine can be Supplied freestanding

our our Installed under your existing Dust extraction with 5 Bag

Carousel Bagging Units. We have many examples installed in

UK, UK, Please ask ask for for details of of installations near YOU

Bring your your waste material for for Demonstration

• Uk’s Leading • UK’s Briquette leading briquette Machine machine

with

over 500 with sold over in the 750 Uksold in the UK

• 6 Machines • 6 machines the range in the producing range

from 20-100kgs/hr producing from 20-100kgs/hr

• Certified •

Proven, to meet Briquettes governments burn

NEW ‘Clean as hot Air as Strategy’ coal

Mobile

Mobile

07944

07944

108747

108747

•

•

Email

Email

ibrown@iwmachines.co.uk

ibrown@iwmachines.co.uk



•

•

www.soukup.co.uk

www.soukup.co.uk

Visit or send your wood waste

Visit material our to showroom our in in Newark with

your Newark material for a demonstration for a demonstration

T: 01636 918280 M: 07970 431899 E: henry@iwmachines.co.uk

T: T: 01636 918280 M: 07944 108747 E: ibrown@iwmachines.co.uk

IWM.5_JA_USE.indd 1 10/09/2021 11:47

IWM.5_JA_USE.indd 1 10/09/2021 11:47

IWM_JA365.indd 1 20/08/2024 21:12

24 ISSUE 001


OCTOBER 2024

CALL FOR

YOUR

PERSONAL

OFFER!

COMPACT,

EFFICIENT, PRECISE

PRESSURE BEAM SAW KAPPA AUTOMATIC EDITION

As one of the heaviest saws in its class, the Format4 kappa automatic edition, with its steel pressure beam and material pusher, is built

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the results of this philosophy. With a newly developed operating panel with touch screen control, a cutting direction against the fence

as well as a a saw blade projection of 85/95 mm, it convinces in all respects. The main saw is supported by a 13.5 kW motor, a

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during operation.

kappa automatic 100/85 edition

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Unit 2 Sovereign Business Park, Joplin Court, Crownhill, Milton Keynes, MK8 0JP

Immediate Info Tel. 01908 635000, www.felder-group.co.uk

FELDER GROUP SCOTLAND Unit 4 Lindsay Square, Deans Ind Est, Livingston, EH54 8RL

... in addition to performance

data on carbon, both

embodied and operational

kappa automatic classic

October 2024

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