We spoke with Neil Newbrook, Mirka’s Business Sector Manager for Wood, UK, about key challenges, trends and plans for the coming year.
What key challenges are customers currently facing in the industry?
The main challenge is the rising cost of raw materials. This issue has seen customers question their processes. As a result, our team of technical experts hold in-depth reviews of the processes being run on the workshop floor. Off the back of them, we can see how money can be saved through several avenues that include reducing the number of process steps or reducing sanding time, which, in turn, increases efficiency.
In addition, Mirka is focusing on creating products that have a longer lifespan which means less expenditure on abrasives and the potential for monetary savings to be made that can be invested back in the business.
What trends are shaping the future of woodworking and furniture finishing?
The main trend is a keen focus on productivity, and this is highlighted by the continued investment in automation in the form of CNC machinery, polishing lines, and automated processes. The investment in these areas helps businesses have a consistent product alongside the ability to scale up their production output without missing a beat.
What does 2026 have in store for Mirka?
2026 will see continued innovation in terms of tools and abrasives that will be an asset for the industry in the short, medium and long term. Our team of experienced technical experts will continue to liaise with customers to ensure the R&D department in Finland is aware of what’s happening in workshops around the country, so they have the necessary information to develop new products for surfaces being worked on.
What key sustainability priorities is Mirka focusing on this year?
There are three core sustainability priorities we are looking at for 2026. The first is the continued review of legacy products, and we have already seen that our R&D team based in Jeppo, Finland has been able to remove harmful chemicals from the resin used in the process.
The second is the continued development of our own circular grain manufacturing process. This will enable the business to reuse grains that previously would have just been seen as waste from the manufacturing process, so there’s now no wastage.
The third and final one is a focus on exploring more sustainable raw materials and designing products for reuse and recyclability. This focus is highlighted by the fact that we are committed to ensuring that 70% of our products will be recyclable by 2035.
