Sternfenster aims to cut lead times as well as improving product quality with its commitment to a £600K-plus investment for a new Schirmer cutting and machining centre for its PVC-U fabrication line, which will benefit customers with reduced lead times and improved product quality.

The new machine, due online in Q1, 2023, is part of a wider capital expenditure by the Lincoln-based fabricator to create in efficiencies across all aspects of the business, including IGU manufacture, window and door production, and delivery.

“What we learned during the pandemic is that companies that stood still were the first to fall as the demand on production exceeded expectations,” managing director Mike Parczuk explained. “We’ve seen other fabricators sweat their assets to the point of destruction as they’ve pushed their factories to the limit to keep on top of the increased demand experienced across the window and door industry. This has resulted in poor-quality products and unpredictable lead times.

“As that demand is now starting to drop away, we are seeing companies deciding to sit tight and see where the market is heading before committing to investment in infrastructure. Or they weren’t as profitable as they expected to be, and they are holding on to the cash. Either way, quality of product and service could suffer.”

The Schirmer cutting and machining centre includes a high-speed gripper transports the full-length profiles – or re-useable off-cuts – through the machine to improved accuracy, and a six-axis tooling module that performs all necessary routing in a single pass. A three-axis milling unit allows Sternfenster to end-mill the profile online – rather than as a separate process – again improving accuracy, speeding up production and reducing damage to profiles thanks to reduced handling.

Sternfenster is also looking to improve PVC-U production further with a new welder and corner cleaner, while the glass processing division will soon receive a new glass cutting table. Plans are also being drawn up to invest heavily in a new IGU line, which would realise significant benefits through the business, including improved production speeds, reduced errors, and sustainability gains.

Ongoing investment in the fabricator’s fleet will see a £200K outlay for two new trucks, which will replace two of the company’s older vehicles next year. This follows the £500K-plus outlay on four new 18-tonne lorries, alongside the refurbishment of older vehicles, Sternfenster made in March this year.

Pictured: existing machinery at Sternfenster

www.sternfenster.com

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