Ian Woollard, owner of the family-run Woollards of Mildenhall, was recently interviewed regarding the purchase of HOMAG’s EDGETEQ S-300. He spoke with such eloquence not just about machinery but about HOMAG in general, that he more or less encapsulated what it means for a small business to partner up with the woodworking giant. With a special thanks to Ian, here’s the full story.
About the company
Woollards of Mildenhall is a small family-run business that has been creating high-quality, bespoke kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom interiors for over 75 years. With a reputation for personal, dedicated service, Woollards has always prided itself on delivering exceptional craftsmanship.
Machine learning
When the time came to upgrade their machinery, the company’s first thought was HOMAG. “We needed a new machine to replace an old faithful,” Ian Woollard explains. “We had a HOMAG edge bander 17 years previously, which had worked pretty much flawlessly throughout that period of time.
“Right from the get-go, going back to when we purchased that original machine, it was always the HOMAG way to understand a business before they recommended the machines to be considered – machines which would lend themselves to current need as well as potential need for a growing business.
“When you start off with an edge bander, or any machine, when you haven’t had the benefit of it before, you don’t really appreciate the true value that machine brings to your business – until you’re using it. HOMAG, of course, know exactly what their machines are capable of, and they share this wisdom with you in a way that doesn’t feel forced. These machines open doors, but it’s the people behind them who show you the way through.
“Anyway, after 17 years of it, we were no strangers to edge banding and all the benefits it brings to our small business. But nothing lasts forever, and the time came for us to invest in something new. Although, having said that, our old edge bander has since been recommissioned, and is now with another small business over in Norfolk. They’re thrilled with it, and for us, it’s great knowing its lifespan has been expanded with another family business. But I digress!”
Discovering the EDGETEQ S-300
“So, we were in the market for a new machine, and to be frank, there was never any question of looking anywhere other than HOMAG – we’d been so delighted with everything they had done for us up until that point.
“Our minimum requirement for the new edge bander was that it needed to do everything the old one did. We also suspected there may have been one or two advancements in edge banding technology since the early 2000s, so we were more than happy for HOMAG to educate us on those advancements and the benefits they could bring.”
For Woollards, the relationship with HOMAG has always been more than just about the machines. “As a HOMAG customer, you benefit from a gentle relationship of service. Not only do they keep your machines in good nick, they’re also a great source of information with regards to recent developments in the market.”
Guided by the expertise of HOMAG technicians, it wasn’t long before Woollards had their sights firmly set on the EDGETEQ S-300.
The technical edge
The EDGETEQ S-300 offered not only familiarity but also added benefits, thanks to the advancements in edge banding technology. “The most noticeable improvement with the EDGETEQ S-300 is a greater level of accuracy. The fine tuning of all the tooling, the output of the machine, the consistency… it’s next level. We were really impressed.
“We’re also really enjoying the ease of use and the adjustment. The software probably deserves an article of its own – honestly, it’s a delight. Remarkably intuitive. Altogether, in our experience, the system is flawless. From start to finish the edge banding process has become seamless.”
Installation and training
The installation process was equally as smooth. Ian recalls, “The guys who delivered and installed the machine were highly professional individuals. And very friendly – they didn’t mind us being specific and awkward! For instance, we asked them to reposition the machine three times, which they did without complaint. In fact, like us, they were determined to get the positioning just right, down to the millimetre.
“HOMAG then disseminated two tiers of training – an advanced level of training for myself and my eldest son David, covering the administrative detail of the machine which we didn’t want to burden the wider team with, and a more basic level which provided the necessary information for our operators to use the machine effectively.”
This programme was devised and coordinated by Carl Mullins from HOMAG. “Carl was exceptionally good at understanding our operation,” Ian reflects. “We were honestly amazed at the extent to which he tailored the training to our specific needs.”
Praise for the people
“Everyone from HOMAG, particularly those we dealt with directly, is worthy of praise – Punit Hirani, Charles Smith, Marie Harrison, Kyle Smith, to name a few. But I want to give a special mention to Carl Mullins. He really embodies the professionalism of the HOMAG brand, working with a level of care and attention that has benefited our business beyond measure.
“No matter who you deal with at HOMAG, the calibre of the people is a great reflection of the calibre of their machinery. We’ve never encountered someone who hasn’t made time for us, who hasn’t been patient, who hasn’t either been able to answer a question or ask us to bear with them as they seek the solution that’s right for us.”
Final thoughts
Ian Woollard concludes, “We found in HOMAG a partner who we can readily identify with, who understands our needs, wants, and our direction of travel, who can even help with the steering of our business moving forward. For us, HOMAG was, is, and always will be the staple choice.”
For more information or a demonstration of any of the HOMAG machinery and software, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
