Shropshire based Retail Furniture is a well-respected specialist manufacturer of bespoke shop fitting solutions and display stands to the retail, leisure, health, education, finance and commercial sectors. Established in 2002, its reputation is based on excellence, reliability and flexibility which has led to a wide range of trade and blue-chip clients employing its services.
Managing director, Neil Enefer explains the company’s philosophy, “I’ve always been a believer in ‘you get what you pay for’ and so when we set up the business we made a decision to invest in the best technology we could afford. Over the last 30 years or so I’ve dealt with all the major woodworking machinery companies and not one of them can hold a candle to HOMAG.”
The complete package
“In my opinion, HOMAG is the only company that offers the complete package. From the knowledge, expertise and honesty of their area sales managers to the build quality of the machinery, the training offered, the backup services and the company’s drive to continually innovate, they are exceptional. No other company looks after you like HOMAG.
“Our relationship with them is a true partnership. Over the years a deep trust has developed between us and so when Jon Lawman, our HOMAG UK area manager, suggests a solution, we listen. That is how we came to invest in the automatic storage and retrieval system, the TLF 211.”
Huge efficiencies from the HOMAG Automation TLF 211 storage system
“For a couple of years, Jon had been telling us about how beneficial the automated storage system would be for our business. As we expanded, the headaches of running our own warehouse for board stock just got bigger and bigger. So, in 2015 we decided to invest in HOMAG’s TLF 211 storage system and it is hard to underestimate the benefits it has brought to the business.
“Before installing the storage system we had several storemen manually handling the board stock and it was just getting harder to manage efficiently. Jon arranged for us to go and see a couple of TLF 211 installations and when we spoke to the directors of those companies it was clear that we had to make the investment.
“They gave us nothing but glowing reports on the efficiencies system delivered to their businesses. They also highlighted the virtual elimination of damaged boards which was an escalating problem for us because of the manual handling aspect of our process.
“Since it was commissioned in March 2016, it’s been a revelation. Before, with two guys on 12 hour shifts, we were struggling to keep up with our beam sawing capacity; now, we’ve got one guy on an 8 hour shift who’s more than keeping up with the saw and our five CNCs. To be honest, the system never ceases to amaze me with the efficiencies it delivers and, of course, damaged stock is now a thing of the past.
“In peak periods, such as the run up to Christmas, it’s an absolute godsend if I’m honest with you, it really is. As part of the package we also invested in a new HOMAG HPP 300 beam saw. This integrates perfectly with the storage system and thanks to its quality and accuracy has also helped us to increase our capacity.”
New HOMAG BMG 312 gives Retail Furniture the edge
“Our most recent investment has been a 5-axis CNC machine. In 2002, we purchased a HOMAG BAZ 41 CNC with an edge banding capability built-in. As good a machine as it was, it was getting long in the tooth and starting to show signs of being a potential weak link in our production.
“Consequently, we decided to upgrade that machine, part-exchanging it for the new HOMAG BMG 312 which has the built-in edge banding facility and a 5-axis head. This head was necessary for a specialist product that we make, polyurethane edging, which is an injection moulding around table tops. The manufacturing process requires some rebating on the underside of the panel which a standard machine can’t do in one pass, so we needed the 5-axis head.
“Previously, on our flatbed CNC, we had to turn the panels over to machine both sides whereas now we can do the processing on both sides without having to turn the panel over. The result is the accuracy levels are now 100 per cent, making this machine worth its weight in gold.”
The right price for the right product
“The HOMAG product really is the Rolls Royce of woodworking machinery. Yes, the initial outlay may be more than for other machines, but at the end of the day the life-time value is exceptional.
“For us, downtime is virtually a thing of the past; the HOMAG machines are so reliable. In 30 years I’ve never come across a better product, so I don’t mind paying the extra money. In the long-run, it’s a more economical way of looking at it.
“Another benefit is the HOMAG software. We use woodWOP, which integrates really well with Alphacam, and MagiCut which is great for controlling the beam saw. Both are easy to use and enable us to get the very best out of the equipment.
“The training HOMAG provide is another aspect they do really well and that enables us to maximise the productivity of the machines very quickly. When the HOMAG engineers have finished with our operators they are well and truly up to speed.
“All of these benefits have been reflected in our bottom line which has increased at least four per cent with the introduction of the storage system alone. The key benefits we get from our investment with HOMAG are the efficiency savings, the backup support and the reduction in damaged materials.
“Additionally, we’ve been able to win bigger, more complex contracts; when customers visit our facility they are truly impressed with the machine shop and it gives them real confidence in our ability to deliver. The TLF 211 has probably already paid for itself in the last 18 months and the other machines will do so in two or three years at most,” concludes a very satisfied Neil Enefer.
If you would like more information or a demonstration of any HOMAG machinery or software please contact HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
“In my opinion, HOMAG is the only company that offers the complete package. From the knowledge, expertise and honesty of their area sales managers to the build quality of the machinery, the training offered, the backup services and the company’s drive to continually innovate, they are exceptional. No other company looks after you like HOMAG”Neil Enefer, Managing director at Retail Furniture