In 1991, Crocodile Packaging began its journey as a family business, responding to a growing demand for bespoke industrial packaging. Over thirty years and several million tons of cut timber later, it has remained a family business, and from its base in Swindon, has built a global reputation for its top-quality wooden packaging products.
Now, as part of a broader strategy to optimise and expand its operations, Crocodile Packaging has taken a significant first step by investing in HOMAG’s SAWTEQ S-300 beam saw.
The need for an upgrade
Crocodile Packaging has a long-standing history with HOMAG, previously using two HOLZMA saws (HOLZMA being part of the HOMAG family). One of these machines had been in operation for nearly 12 years, reliably cutting vast amounts of timber.
“We recently worked out that we’d cut 16,000 tons of timber on our HOLZMA saw over a nine-year period – and that was a second-hand machine. That’s quite a testament to the quality of the brand,” explains Quentin Philip, Managing Director at Crocodile Packaging. “But the software on the old saw was becoming unsupported by Microsoft, so we made the decision to upgrade before we ran into major issues.”
Choosing HOMAG
Crocodile Packaging conducted a thorough review of three leading saw manufacturers before ultimately choosing to stay with HOMAG. “The quality and reliability of HOMAG, both in terms of the company and their machines, is hard to beat,” Quentin says. “We worked closely with Simon Durant from the HOMAG sales team to assess all the options and settled on the SAWTEQ S-300 as the best fit for our needs.”
A key factor in the decision was HOMAG’s latest CADmatic 5 software, which offers a 3D assistance graphic for operators, intuitive controls that reduce training time, and seamless tapio connectivity for cloud-based software integration.
An easy transition
Although there were minor logistical challenges with part deliveries, HOMAG handled the situation efficiently, ensuring a smooth installation process. “The saw was up and running in no time, and HOMAG trained four of our saw technicians, ensuring they were comfortable with everything.
“The transition was seamless. Almost immediately we felt more productive… and as our familiarity with the machine has grown, we’ve found more and more ways to optimise our operation.”
He also highlights the ease of use across generations of workers. “We have a 20-year-old saw technician and others in their 50s, and they all got to grips with the new tech with HOMAG’s training – so now we have a good age range of people competent with the machine.”
Enhanced reliability, accuracy, and efficiency
Since implementing the SAWTEQ S-300, Crocodile Packaging has seen noticeable improvements in its operations. “The biggest benefit is reliability,” Quentin states. “Last year, we faced downtime waiting for spare parts for our old machines. Now, with tapio connectivity, we can run remote diagnostics – though we haven’t needed it yet because the saw has been so dependable.”
Additionally, the precision of the SAWTEQ S-300 has proven invaluable. “As a packaging manufacturer, accuracy is critical, and this beam saw delivers exactly what we need,” Quentin adds.
A strong partnership for the future
Crocodile Packaging’s relationship with HOMAG extends beyond the initial investment. “The service has been excellent – and it is ongoing,” Quentin says. “We’ve had post-installation visits from the initial installer, check-ins from Simon Durant, and even refresher training from Nick to help us brush up on a couple of bits.”
Quentin Philip concludes, “This level of support has really solidified our confidence that HOMAG is the right partner for us as we look to the future. The working relationship we’ve got with the sales team is first class, and they’re going to help us look at how HOMAG can help us further optimise and expand our operation.”
For more information or a demonstration of HOMAG’s machinery and software, please contact HOMAG UK on 01332 856500, option 4 for the sales department. Or email [email protected]
