Founded in 2006, Orca Building Products is a leading supplier of fire doors, washroom products and PVC wall protection based in Kirmington, north Lincolnshire. Orca’s manager, Steve Johnson, explains how the Orca team – which is growing rapidly – had identified inroads to a huge market for specialist fire doors, supplying hospitals, care homes and other contract applications.
Eager to extend the work Orca had already undertaken for numerous hospitals around the country – including prestigious jobs from London to Liverpool and Birmingham to Teesside – and secure more of the same highly specialist work, the Orca team set about the task of equipping the company to capitalise on the opportunities before it.
Steve sought advice from a number of sources before asking Coventry-based Ney Ltd for assistance. He recalls being impressed with Ney’s reputation in the market and, on first meeting, how Ney’s offer included both off-the-shelf and customised machines which could be built to suit Orca’s quite specific needs. “Ney also offered extended warranty on the machines, a finance package – and with such a large range of supplies, we only needed to go to one place for everything from technical support to edging and adhesives,” says Steve.
Working around the company’s exact needs, Ney supplied 10 new machines including a Project 350 CNC, Fravol RX500 edgebander, Combitherm press, Paoloni planer, Osama glue spreader, Maggi cross-cut saw, Harwi saw bench and various hand tools from Virutex. “Each machine was individually sourced and modified for us,” recalls a delighted Steve, “we now have all the equipment needed to keep moving the company forward.”
One particular requirement was that Orca wanted to form PVC products of up to 3m long. “Most off-the-shelf vacuum presses accommodate materials up to two metres long,” Steve says. “Ney was able to source a Combitherm thermo heating oven and a vacuum press that was designed specifically to work with material up to three metres – offering us a 2.7m door and 3m frame.” The Fravol RX500 edgebander was also matched exactly to Orca’s work, which requires the application of both hot melt and PU adhesive to a range of materials.
The support from Ney didn’t end with the supply of machinery. Once ordered, staff at both Orca and Ney put their heads together to redesign the factory layout and its extraction system around the machinery. Unique areas were built within the factory walls to hold individual machines, whilst a clear assembly route was created to maximise production levels. “Using Ney’s know-how, we were able to create an environment that optimised space and minimised waste,” adds Steve.
Ney’s 35 years of experience working with start-up businesses and smaller manufacturers has provided its front line staff with unique insight into the needs of its chosen sector. Everyone at Ney fully understands that the right support is essential. Ney has structured its offer, supplying not only machinery, hardware and consumables but also providing advice and guidance to foster success. As part of the package, Ney’s comprehensive finance solutions – available on new and used machinery – are also designed to help entrepreneurs turn dreams into reality.
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