A UK manufacturer of luxury wood trim for car interiors plans to double its waste extraction capacity to keep pace with expanding output.
Netherfield-based Lawrence Automotive Ltd, which makes wood trims for Cadillac, Buick and Peugeot among others, is spending £186,000 on a new Dustraction cyclo-filter.
The system, to be installed alongside similiar Dustraction equipment supplied in 1995, is designed to improve air and product quality, as well as minimise downtime caused by cleaning at the end of shifts.
Lawrence, acquired by US-based Intier Automotive Interiors last year in a deal which rescued it from receivership, also needs the extra capacity to cope with increased production output.
The company’s turnover has risen from about £1.5m to about £5m so far in 2005 due to thorough remodelling of production operations.
Much of the waste needing extraction at Netherfield is fine dust produced by extensive hand-sanding operations.
Lawrence’s original extraction plant is being refurbished by Dustraction, which is also renewing the ducting throughout the factory.
The new cyclo-filter is designed to run continuously with virtually no moving parts, while discharged air contains less than 0.2mg/m3. The warmed air is then suitable for returning to the workplace.
