Panel & Joinery Production, Westgate on Sea (2025)

21/07/2025

Blum Group reports €2.4B turnover as innovation and customer focus drive growth amidst challenging market conditions 📈

Fittings specialist Blum has announced a turnover of €2.44 billion for the 2024/25 financial year—marking a 6.3% increase and a return to growth after two flat years. The positive result was attributed to rising product sales and the first-time inclusion of Van Hoecke in group figures.

💬 “We were able to reverse the trend and increase sales volumes for all our product groups over the last 12 months,” said Philipp Blum, Managing Director of Blum Group.

Blum’s success is supported by a strong international presence, a firm commitment to innovation—including 61 patents filed in 2024—and significant investments in both manufacturing and people.

🔗 Read the full report and insights into the group’s direction, international markets, and policy priorities: https://p-j-production.com/blum-increases-turnover-to-approximately-2-4-billion-euros/

Blum UK

21/07/2025

Combilift lift secures its third Red Dot Design Award for product design excellence 🏆

The Irish materials handling specialist Combilift has taken home another Red Dot Design Award, this time for its Combi-CB70E—a high-capacity, electric-powered multidirectional forklift engineered for performance, ergonomics and sustainability.

Designed to meet the growing demand for heavy-duty electric handling, the CB70E impressed the international jury with its operator comfort, design quality and eco-conscious innovation.

💬 “Our customers increasingly demand electric alternatives that don’t compromise on performance, and the CB70E is exactly that,” said Martin McVicar, CEO and Co-founder of Combilift.

This win completes a hat trick for the manufacturer, whose Combi-WR and Combi-CB4 models previously secured Red Dot accolades.

🔗 Read more on Combilift's win here - https://p-j-production.com/combilift-receives-its-3rd-red-dot-win/

09/07/2025

British Woodworking Federation Awards 2025 - entries are now open! It is free to enter, with self-nominations and multiple entries welcome.

🔗 Click to enter and learn more about the awards - https://www.bwf.org.uk/bwf-awards-2025/

🏆 BWF 2025 Awards Categories:
▪ Woodworking Project of the Year – sponsored by Anker Stuy Coatings UK
▪ Innovation Award – sponsored by Teknos UK & Ireland
▪ Health & Safety Award – available to sponsor
▪ Rising Star Award – sponsored by NFU Mutual
▪ Heritage Project Award – sponsored by Impra Wood Protection
▪ Sustainability Award – sponsored by Remmers UK & Ireland
▪ Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by CITB

Entries close: Friday 15th August, 5PM
Awards Dinner: 21st November, Kimpton Fitzroy London

The BWF Awards return for their 17th year, shining a spotlight on the outstanding individuals, projects and innovations shaping the woodworking and joinery sector. With categories celebrating Design Excellence, Sustainability, Apprentices, Health & Safety, and Heritage Restoration, this is your opportunity to showcase the best of your business or team.

💬 “Last year’s launch of the BWF Sustainability Award exceeded all expectations, becoming our most entered category,” says Helen Hewitt, Chief Executive of the British Woodworking Federation.

“With categories like this, we can support Government initiatives like the Timber in Construction Roadmap and Future Homes Hub—while celebrating the beautiful, low-carbon products our industry is known for.”

08/07/2025

Join AXYZ CNC Routers next week (Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th July) at their UK Open House and CNC Manufacturing Expo - showcasing cutting-edge router and waterjet technology at their Telford HQ:

https://www.axyz.com/news_and_events/uk-cnc-manufacturing-expo-2025/?utm_source=PanelJoineryPro&utm_medium=eBlast&utm_campaign=UKExpoJuly25

✅ Live machine demos
✅ Automation in motion – including wire-free loading systems
✅ New smart safety tech – with laser scanners & AI cameras
✅ 1:1 application consultations – bring your own files/parts
✅ All under one roof at AXYZ WARDJet’s UK HQ

“We’re not just evolving CNC—we’re redefining what productivity looks like” says Chris Arend, MD at AAG Tailored Cutting Solutions.

⚫️ 16–17 July 2025 | ⚫️ 10:00–15:00
⚫️ AXYZ WARDJet UK HQ, Telford
⚫️ Free to attend – registration encouraged for tailored demos

Whether you’re in woodworking, signage, aerospace, plastics or stone, this event offers a rare opportunity to explore real-world CNC solutions—and gain actionable insights from the experts behind them.

08/07/2025

Lathams Ltd add Merino Laminates to its ever-increasing décors catalogue, an HPL to yell about.

James Latham are the exclusive UK and Ireland stockist of premium HPL brand Merinolam – bringing 55 trend-driven décors to specifiers and fabricators across the country.

“Merinolam represents some of the highest quality premium HPL on the market today,” says David Green, Laminates Product Champion at James Latham. “Its ethical sourcing echoes our own sustainability values.”

From anti-fingerprint Luvih to fire-rated postformable FR+ PF laminates and specialty metallic and magnetic options, Merinolam offers style, safety, and surface performance in equal measure.

With nationwide stock across 12 depots, this is a launch that speaks to choice, durability, and design excellence.

🔗 Click the link for more details: https://p-j-production.com/an-hpl-to-yell-about/

MerinoGlobal

07/07/2025

Discover the essentials of Biomass boiler and system design with Chris Franklin, Managing Director of Ranheat Engineering Limited.

Distilling 50 years of boiler know-how into one must-read guide with Panel & Joinery Production.

“Wood-waste burning boilers are not allowed to idle.” – Chris Franklin, MD, Ranheat “Long thin boilers are hard to clean – our wide, short-tube design solves that.”

From high-water-content “horseshoe” shells to true three and five-pass heat exchangers, discover the essentials that keep industrial wood-waste systems compliant with MCPD 2030 – and running at peak efficiency.

🔗 Read the full article herefor the full technical article and ensure your next biomass project is future-proof: https://p-j-production.com/essentials-of-biomass-boiler-and-system-design/

07/07/2025

William Hughes Group scales aerospace-grade quality assurance across the factory floor.

After earning a silver quality rating from a major aero-engine customer, spring & wire-form specialist William Hughes Ltd. is rolling the same rigorous framework to every manufacturing cell.

“We took the customer’s framework and paired it with 3C and 5S lean principles to create company-wide best practice,” Nick Allsop, Production Supervisor, William Hughes.

From shadow boards and foam-cut tool inserts to clearly marked flow lanes, the programme is already driving measurable gains in efficiency, consistency and audit readiness—paving the way for a gold rating next.

🔗 Discover how William Hughes is turning aerospace demands into plant-wide advantage: https://p-j-production.com/william-hughes-expands-aerospace-quality-programme/

02/07/2025

AJB Group launches fire door manufacturing 🚪 with help from HOMAG.

After 23 years behind the scenes manufacturing fire door frames, AJB Group has stepped into full fire door production—backed by a complete machine package from HOMAG UK.

“We needed the right kit,” says Managing Director Amarjit Binji. “We were used to another CNC brand, but we knew for this to work, we needed consistency across all three machines.”

That led to the installation of the SAWTEQ S-300, EDGETEQ S-500, and CENTATEQ P-110, helping AJB deliver precision and scale from day one.

📉 With the business forecasting ROI within three years, it’s a case study in smart investment and future-proofing.

🔗 Read the full case study here: https://p-j-production.com/ajb-group-invests-in-a-homag-package-to-launch-fire-door-manufacturing/

01/07/2025

The Decorative Panels Group introduces Namuri, a bold new surface innovation from LX Hausys, now available in the dp-specialist range.

Featuring a very deep emboss and two-tone finish, Namuri offers the refined look of painted wood—without the maintenance. The supermatt troughs provide durability, while subtly glossed peaks add depth and realism for a truly three-dimensional surface.

Laminated with matching Serica backing and available in five colourways—including Reed Green, Cashmere & Frost White—Namuri brings texture, protection, and premium style to modern interiors.

🔗 Click the link to discover Namuri's key features: https://p-j-production.com/decorative-panels-expands-dp-specialist-range-with-namuri-designs/

30/06/2025

Lamtek Launches Complete Kitchen & Bedroom Solution, Lamtek Complete.

Aimed at giving retailers, developers and contractors a single source for rigid-built or flat-pack kitchens & bedrooms — complete with cabinets, fittings, doors, worktops and appliances.

The company is already supplying student blocks, hotels and national merchants, pairing speed with the tailor-made spec work that built its reputation.

🔗 From factory to final fit-out, read more on how Lamtek is streamlining the supply chain: https://p-j-production.com/lamtek-a-one-stop-solution-for-kitchens-bedrooms-and-more/

25/06/2025

🟠 From Garage Startup to Fully Streamlined Workshop – FLEGG Bespoke Joinery Transforms itself with Holz-Her - UK.

⚫️ In just a few years, Flegg Bespoke Joinery has grown from a small garage operation to a state-of-the-art joinery workshop – with smart investment in automation being a key part of that journey.

🟠 Faced with constant glue pot problems from their old edgebander, the team turned to Holz-Her UK and installed the Streamer 1057 XL Power with Glue Jet technology.

💬 “The change was transformational,” says George Flegg, co-founder. “It eliminated the issues we were facing and significantly improved both productivity and reliability.”

🟠 From 2–3 minute startup times and flawless glue lines to streamlined solid lipping jobs and zero hand finishing, the HOLZ-HER edgebander has unlocked new levels of performance for Flegg’s growing business.

💬 “We’ve been able to complete several projects which we previously would have avoided due to how time-consuming they were,” states Harry Flegg, co-founder.

🟠 As Paul Nightingale, National Sales Manager at Holz-Her UK, adds: “The Streamer 1057 XL Power offers an affordable route to automation. We welcome all customers to see it in action at our showroom.”

🔗 Read the full story here: https://p-j-production.com/flegg-limited-unlocking-new-levels-of-efficiency-with-holz-her/

23/06/2025

Leitz Tooling UK Ltd share their expert insights into how the right tooling – and how you care for it – directly impacts quality, speed and profitability.

From the impressive 30% output increase delivered by Leitz’s RazorCut sawblades for SD Manufacturing Ltd, to smoother finishes and reduced waste for Creative Homes Scotland using BrillianceCut blades on Krion | Porcelanosa Grupo®, the results speak for themselves.

“The new blades cut through material like butter… doing it right the first time has been invaluable,” says Alan Goodsir, MD at Creative Homes Scotland.

Plus, learn how resin build-up, tooth geometry and sharpening cycles all affect tooling life and surface quality – and how Leitz’s UK-made G-Tec range and nationwide sharpening network help customers get the best from every tool.

🔗 Read the full articles to understand how Leitz can assist with your tooling and maintenance needs: https://p-j-production.com/leitz-tooling-shares-insights-into-tooling-maintenance-for-panel-processing/

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