Michael Pepper Joinery Ltd., a bespoke joinery manufacturer specialising in high-quality fire doors, has been a trusted name in the industry for no less than 50 years. They recently invested in HOMAG’s EDGETEQ S-380, an edge banding machine known for its flexibility and precision, which has played an essential role in the futureproofing of the business. Here’s the full story.
Based in Derby, Michael Pepper Joinery comprises a workforce of 33 highly-trained staff operating across three units totalling 13,000 square feet, delivering superior products to diverse sectors including Health, Commercial, Education, Leisure, Residential, and the Ministry of Defence.
Since 1973, the company has stayed true to its client-centric principles, taking pride in the quality of both its products and service. Half a century of experience has culminated in a wealth of knowledge, and Michael Pepper Joinery continues to go from strength to strength; in the last three years, turnover has tripled.
“We were seeking to push growth and really double-down on what we’re best at,” explains Josh Pepper, Managing Director at Michael Pepper Joinery. “This involved a focus on staff training, various efficiencies in the business, and of course investment in new advanced machinery – including a new edge banding machine.”
Choosing HOMAG: Trust and reliability
Michael Pepper Joinery’s journey with HOMAG began years ago with the acquisition of a 1998 HOMAG edge bander. “It was a great machine that served us very well, right up until the end of its lifecycle,” says Josh. “We have a lot of trust in HOMAG products – we also bought a brand new four-axis CNC in 2021 – so it was an easy choice to stick with them when the time came to invest in a new edge bander.”
Another reason for sticking with HOMAG was the reliability of their service. As Josh explains, “Every door we make has to go through our edge banding machine. If the machine breaks down, it’s a big issue for us. Luckily with HOMAG you get the whole package, which includes outstanding support; should an issue arise, they work on resolving it as soon as possible – often on the same day.”
EDGETEQ S-380: The perfect fit
Now it was a matter of finding the perfect machine to suit the needs of the business. To that end, HOMAG held in-depth discussions with Michael Pepper Joinery and sent a representative to assess their site. “One of the stand-out aspects of HOMAG is that they make every effort to get to know you as a business. This was best exemplified by our HOMAG Sales Manager, who I can’t praise highly enough.
“He clearly knows the machinery inside out, and during his visit he spent a considerable amount of time exploring our needs. He didn’t just want to lump us with the most expensive machine; he wanted to ensure we were getting the right machine. And that’s exactly what we ended up with.
“Interestingly,” Josh continues, “The EDGETEQ S-380 has less functionality than our previous machine. But that’s the beauty of it; it gives us the exact functionality we need. Being able to get a machine that was so specific to our requirements saved us a lot of money, and plus it’s smaller, freeing up precious workshop space.”
Confidence, accuracy, reliability
The implementation of the EDGETEQ S-380 has been beneficial to Michael Pepper Joinery in a number of ways. Notably, the capabilities of the machine have enabled the company to take on more advanced, higher-paying jobs. “We can now do things with more confidence. There are jobs that before we probably would have turned down, but now actively look for, because we know the potential of the machine and we want to take full advantage of it.”
This is largely due to the sheer accuracy of the EDGETEQ S-380, which utilises rigid high-precision linear guides and perfectly coordinated units for a flawless finish. As Josh explains, “Accuracy is crucial to our work – the margin for error in edge banding is notoriously fine. This machine gets it right pretty much every time.”
Reliability is another significant benefit highlighted by Josh. “The edge banding machine is absolutely key to our operation; we literally wouldn’t be able to trade without it. It’s a good thing, therefore, that we can completely rely on the EDGETEQ S-380 to run seamlessly. It’s provided a whole new level of consistency which in itself will increase our production.”
Training and support
Training on the new machine was conducted on-site, ensuring that the staff were well-equipped to handle the nuances of the EDGETEQ S-380. HOMAG’s non-automated support has been a breath of fresh air, with easy access to engineers and prompt on-site assistance when needed. “The fact you can talk to someone, an actual HOMAG engineer, when you need to is great. They do provide remote support, but if required someone will make the trip to our workshop without question. We know we’re in safe hands.”
Looking back – and ahead
The partnership with HOMAG has not only provided Michael Pepper Joinery with a top-tier machine but also with a reliable and supportive business partner. As the business continues to grow, Josh looks forward to further collaborations with HOMAG.
“Naturally, we have plans to continue growing, and there are more HOMAG machines we have our eye on that will align perfectly with the expansion of the business,” he says.
“I would definitely recommend HOMAG to others. Of course you should always do your own research, but I can say for sure the majority of woodworking businesses will find the perfect partner in HOMAG.”
For more information or a demonstration of any of the HOMAG machinery and software, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
