SCM makes a million

SCM had the largest individual stand at Woodmex and it seems to have paid off, with more than a million pounds-worth of firm orders signed during the four days.

Ian Brown, SCM UK’s managing director said: “We always commit ourselves to Woodmex in a big way, as it has always paid dividends for us, and 2004 was no exception, with a repeat of the previous show in 2002.”

The increasing popularity of timber windows was a factor reflected in SCM’s product offering at Woodmex.

Mr Brown added: “The sector is increasing and people are realising that making windows the traditional way with traditional machines is no longer cost-effective.”

The company demonstrated its Windor 20 CNC window machining centre, aimed at small to medium-sized woodworking companies.

Making its Woodmex debut was the Pratix NST routing-boring centre – SCM’s solution for companies wanting to start production with nesting, especially kitchen and bedroom carcasses.

Other UK debuts were handed to the Sigma Impact 105C panel beam saw and S2000 single-sided automatic edgebander.

Management software interest

Queues formed on the Licom systems stand, as visitors took the opportunity to see the company’s range of woodworking software being demonstrated.

Licom’s group marketing manager Emma Tyreman said the show went well with “a great number of sales leads” to follow up.

The company, which is part of Planit Solutions, provided a continuous series of demonstrations of software covering a wide range of design and production, including external doors, windows, stairs and cabinet doors.

Ms Tyreman said the level of interest in AlphaCIM, Licom’s management software was “indicative of a determination by British woodworking companies to achieve better, more effective management”.

AlphaWINDOOR was the latest programme to be unveiled and is designed to provide raised output and reduced costs in window and door production.

Daltons shifts business focus

Business was booming at the AL Dalton Ltd stand this year, with the DM/V mortiser leading the sales league with six being snapped up at the show.

Three Elcon 155DS vertical panel saws were sold to one company, while three Stenner ST100 resaws were sold in one afternoon. A Wadkin HT Delta Plus moulder was also ordered.

Daltons stand reflected its recent shift of business focus to target high profile timber importers, mills and builders merchants with bigger machines, such as moulders and principal resaws.

Three moulders, the Wadkin GD5, K23 and HT Delta Plus, were on display, while the Stenner ST100, ST130 band resaws and a CML multi-rip saw were also shown.

Daltons also took the opportunity to showcase its machine rebuilding expertise by displaying two rebuilt machines modified to incorporate the latest tooling, guarding and braking devices as required by PUWER regulations.

JJ Smith targets timber frame

A key target of the wide-ranging JJ Smith stand was the fast-growing UK timber frame sector.

Managing director Martin Smith said that the industry was a “big growth area” for the company, and “it’s getting busier”.

“In the past it was a fairly narrow focus market, but now it is broadening out rapidly and includes a wide variety of businesses.”

One exhibit arousing a lot of interest was the Fastrac portable nailing system from Viking of America. The machine is effectively the latter’s entry level system – its range goes right up to fully programmable overhead equipment – especially suited to the smaller timber frame business.

Other products making their first appearance at Woodmex included a Comac CNC joinery production machining centre, an H&M haunching/profiling machine and a Panhans four axis fully-programmable spindle moulder.

Multi-directional move

Northern Sideloaders has widened its stable of vehicles by unveiling its new multi-directional truck at Woodmex.

The company, best-known for its Czech-made Commander range of sideloaders, decided to venture into the multi-directional truck sector because of market demand.

The four-way Axis 4 range, available in three, four, five and six tonne versions, is designed for use by companies with limited access and needing a high level of manoeuvrability, such as product manufacturers and builders merchants.

Northern Sideloaders said the vehicle is able to block stack and access second rows.

The company reported a successful Woodmex, selling one Axis and a sideloader, as well some “very hot” enquiries it is now following up.

Magnetic attraction

A small stand at Woodmex doing big business belonged to Steve Boughton Services.

The company was demonstrating the innovative Invis furniture and joinery jointing system from Lamello of Switzerland for which it is UK agent.

The system uses connectors buried into each section of a joint. One connector contains a magnetised screw which can be turned through timber elements up to 18mm thick using the battery-driven Invis “actuator”. In hardwood they achieve a tightening force of 83kg and mean tensile strength in a joint of 350kg.

The Invis kit costs £599.