New machines, new MD for Weinig

Besides unveiling its latest technical developments, notably the new entry-level Powermat 500 moulder, Weinig UK also used Woodmex to introduce its prospective new managing director to the trade.

Chris Osborne will officially succeed Malcolm Buchanan in November and acknowledged during a press conference at the show that he had an impressive act to follow. In his decade heading the UK Weinig operation, Mr Buchanan has overseen a dramatic growth in the company with sales last year hitting a record £15.5m.

Meanwhile, on its sizeable stand, Weinig showed a range of its latest technology, including the new Unimat 300 moulder, a series of Rondamat grinders and a Dimter OptiCut S50.

But probably pride of place went to the Powermat 500. The new machine underlines the company’s policy of trickling down technology used in its biggest and most powerful machines, to smaller and more affordable models.

Weinig subsidiary rip-saw specialist Raimann also introduced its TimberMax optimising software. This calculates best rip solutions for unedged and edged boards on the basis of width, quality, price and number of pieces.

Sanding sales frenzy at Abacon

Abacon Ltd’s director Martin Davis went home from Woodmex a happy man after having done more than £100,000-worth of business.

Mr Davis said the Sheffield-based company’s stand received firm orders for 14 Abacon Multisand machines, in addition to a Löwer Disc Master.

He said visitors, ranging from bespoke kitchen manufacturers to linear production companies, were interested in Abacon’s emphasis on cutting down labour and freeing up the workforce to work elsewhere in the workshop/factory.

Mr Davis said many visitors said they were suffering from production bottlenecks in the denibbing process.

Also on display was Löwer’s Leistomat for finish sanding and denibbing of primed window profiles. It features six sanding units, processing the top and bottom, plus all rebates and profiles, in one pass.

Löwer’s managing director Friedrich von Schumann said that window manufacturers were realising they needed to invest in sanding technology in order to produce fully finished products.

Window of opportunity

Masterwood (UK) Ltd hopes to capitalise on the resurgence of timber windows with the launch of its MasterWindow software package and the Atlas KL CNC machining centre.

The company sold five of the software packages at Woodmex and said its Atlas KL, being exhibited for the first time, drew attention from visiting window makers. Seven of the machines have already been sold so far during October, with the unit on display bought by Ecosse Doors Ltd of Paisley.

Other new CNC machines on display which were snapped up include the Project 416L, bought by joinery manufacturers Worksop-based Dernie & Bell, and a Project 416KS by staircase specialist HMS Joinery Ltd of Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Russell Corlett, Masterwood UK’s managing director, said the Atlas KL can be fitted with up to four 320mm diameter tools and is designed to slash production time compared to traditional window lines.

It carries out all operations, including cutting timber lengths to size, tenoning, linear or curved profiling, cutting out glass beads, storm proofing and producing glazing bars. The Atlas is also able to produce arched windows.

He said 2004 was on course to be an “exceptional” year, with Masterwood’s turnover expected to rise by 30-40%.

Leadermac has sell out show

Leadermac had to cancel the haulier it contracted to take its machines back to base after Woodmex because they were all sold at the show.

“We’ve had a very busy time,” said Kevin Wright of Leadermac UK. “We’ve sold a Hypermac moulder to EC Forest Products, a Compact to Robert Duncan Timber and a multi-rip to EZT Mouldings. Another client is also taking the router off the stand to Muscat in the Middle East.”

Reflecting the growing importance of UK and Irish markets, representatives from Leadermac’s Taiwan-base also attended Woodmex. And they used the event to highlight a new rapid delivery service.

“What we are now offering on a pre-booked rapid turnaround basis are machines with all the options as standard,” said Mr Wright.

“They are like the Lexus of woodworking equipment; including bigger motors; more power; increased spindle speed; and electronic automatic controls.”

Hardwood on show

Belgian hardwood supplier Willy Carpentier Woodindustry used the show to promote its extensive range of timber species to visitors.

Kristof Carpentier, the company’s European hardwood purchasing manager, said the UK was a good market for European oak, as well as walnut. Its annual sales in the UK are about £1m.

Cruing in its own right

This was the first Woodmex where well-known Italian PCD tool-maker Cruing was exhibiting in its own right, following the launch in the summer of the Cruing (UK) Ltd sales and support operation.

The company showed a wide range of products at the show; tools for CNC machines, edge-banders and hoggers.

A key launch, according to Cruing (UK)’s Adrian Masters, was the 210mm to 250mm diameter R-type hogger which has been engineered to maintain its radius after regrinding.

Electric performance

The demonstration area for materials handling vehicles, a new feature for Woodmex, was “very successful”, according to Hubtex (UK) Ltd.

Jim Hammond, the company’s sales manager, said: “Now you can actually see the trucks running around. It’s a great asset to the show.”

For Hubtex, Woodmex represented a chance to promote its name, which despite being well-known throughout Europe for its sideloaders, is largely unknown in the UK.

The company demonstrated its 2125 indoor-outdoor electric sideloader at Woodmex, with basic capacities from 3,000-4,000kg.