Established in 1985 by Mark Boddington, Silverlining has developed a global reputation for its solid wood furniture, with clients including David Bowie, Kevin Costner and some of the world’s leading luxury yacht makers.

To date, it has carved solid wood elements, notably furniture legs, by hand, a process that can take up to three days. But it needed to boost output to meet growing international demand.

"The issue was how to speed up without loss of quality," said Silverlining CNC production manager Luke Briggs. "We decided a CNC machine was a potential solution and after due diligence drew up a shortlist of three suppliers, including Homag."

After a visit to another Homag user, the company opted for the Venture 316.

"Ordering a first CNC was a real leap of faith, but the Venture just churns the work, while producing outstanding quality," said Mr Briggs. "Table legs that took two to three days by hand are completed in less than two hours – and the woodWOP control software is totally user-friendly."

The Venture 316 features tool changers with up to 18 slots. The drilling head has 21 spindles (17 vertical, four horizontal and a 0/90° grooving saw) for efficient drilling while the and can drill holes at any angle and lamello groove "on any level". Options include a projection laser for easy positioning.

By doubling capacity, the Venture means Silverlining subcontracts less work, shrinking costs and also carbon footprint as many contractors had to travel long distances to the Wrexham plant.

It has also widened the company’s design horizons.

"It not only allows us to speed up mundane labour intensive processes, but make demanding design concepts achieveable," said Mr Briggs.

  • Homag increased profits 6.6% and sales 2.9% in 2013, and growth continues in 2014 according to the German machine giant’s preliminary figures. Operative EBITDA in 2013 were €75.8m and turnover €788.8m. Net profit was €18.4m, a rise of 45.. The improvement was attributed to increased efficiency and market upturn. Chief executive Markus Flik said Homag was also "on course for growth in 2014", with its takeover of US distributor Stiles Machinery further boosting figures