The brand AJ Dalton has been most strongly associated with in the past is Wadkin. But the machine supply, manufacturing and service specialist used W6 to highlight just how far it has developed and diversified recently.

Besides Wadkin classical machines and planer moulders, its stand also featured technology from Stenner, Elcon, Kuper, Fravol and Sedgwick.

“We’ve built up the range carefully,” commented director Francis Dalton. “It’s all about selecting the right machine for each market – and products that fit with our reputation for quality.”

Making its debut was the ST100E centre cutting bandsaw from Stenner. “This is a very versatile machine,” said Dalton’s sales director Andy Walsh. “It can be used for centre, off-centre and dimension cutting.”

Another newcomer to the Dalton range was an XLS 6-head moulder from Kuper of Germany. “This is based on a Taiwanese casting, but with the benefit of German-made electronics and other critical components,” said Mr Dalton. “The result is a high quality machine at a very competitive price; it spearheads a new approach in moulders.”

The company also promoted its distribution of Saom CNC machine centres and, for the first time, showed Fravol edge-banders and Elcon’s new Advance panel handling system for use with its vertical saws.

“Widening our product range for 2006 proved timely,” said Mr Walsh. “It’s given us opportunities to increase market penetration.”