McEvoy & Rowley, a family-run business with over 50 years of history, has long been a staple in the Maidenhead community, offering top-tier kitchen designs and appliances. Originally, they relied on suppliers from Scotland and Germany to provide their kitchen products. However, the disruptions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in their supply chain, leading to issues with quality, lead times, and overall customer satisfaction.
Faced with these challenges, McEvoy & Rowley made the strategic decision to take control of their manufacturing process by bringing it in-house. To achieve this pivotal move, they turned to HOMAG, who stood ready with a bespoke solution consisting of no less than nine machines.
Choosing HOMAG
The transition from purchasing kitchens to manufacturing them required careful planning and investment in the right machinery. McEvoy & Rowley needed a solution that would allow them to produce high-quality kitchen units quickly and accurately, without the common issues they had experienced with supplier-made products, such as units arriving out of square.
Jake Howard, the Factory Manager at McEvoy & Rowley, recalls the company’s initial approach: “We were new to manufacturing, so we spoke with several of the big manufacturing giants to explore our options. As you’d expect, HOMAG were on that list – and after our meeting with Ian Woodall, their Sales Manager, we were more or less convinced that they were the best choice for us.
“What set HOMAG apart was their willingness to listen to our specific needs and provide tailored advice. They didn’t just give a big sales pitch – they genuinely wanted to ensure we had the right equipment for our operations.”
To the nines
After detailed consultations, HOMAG recommended a suite of machines that perfectly aligned with McEvoy & Rowley’s goals. Rather than pushing for CNC machines, which are commonly used but might not meet the speed and precision requirements for their specific needs, HOMAG guided them towards beam saws and edgebanders.
“A lot of manufacturers seem to go down the CNC route. But we’ve found that, a lot of the time, you can attribute faults in products back to the CNC machine being used. We also wanted machines that could work faster. So Ian introduced us to HOMAG’s beam saws, which promised perfect cuts 99.9% of the time – and at speed. This would solve a lot of the issues we had when we were buying kitchens from suppliers.”
The SAWTEQ S-300 panel saw was, therefore, selected, but this was just one piece of the puzzle. Also purchased were two EDGETEQ S-300 edge banders, a LOOPTEQ O-300 return conveyor, a Makor Start One spray machine, two DRILLTEQ models (V-200 and V-500) for drilling and doweling, an XES Glue Service Station, and a CABTEQ T-200 case clamp.
“The advice given by HOMAG was absolutely spot on. It was the first time our company had gone into any kind of manufacturing, so it was great to have their expertise at hand, and we couldn’t be happier with how all nine machines are performing.”
Implementation
The implementation process was smooth and well-coordinated, beginning with a thorough site survey conducted by HOMAG. “They were very clear on who was going to arrive and when,” Jake noted. “The entire installation was very professional, and HOMAG had a great presence on-site, which really put us at ease.”
Training was another critical aspect of the transition. HOMAG provided comprehensive training sessions for McEvoy & Rowley’s team, ensuring they were fully equipped to operate the new machinery. This training allowed the company to gradually shift their production in-house, significantly reducing their reliance on external suppliers.
Benefits realised
Since bringing the manufacturing process in-house, McEvoy & Rowley have seen numerous benefits.
“Cost savings is the obvious one. We were spending crazy money on kitchens from external suppliers. Moving everything in-house will save us a fortune in the long run.
“Equally, if not more beneficial, is the quality assurance we’ve gained. We now have full control over the product we sell, and when you’re working with such accurate and reliable machinery, that’s a great position to be in. It also means we can make tweaks to products as and when needed, which customers always appreciate.”
Additionally, McEvoy & Rowley now have the ability to invite customers to view their kitchens being made, providing transparency and boosting confidence in their products. “We’ve enjoyed showing customers around our factory to see the HOMAG machinery in action. It’s made a huge difference to how our guys can sell our kitchens – and it’s improved the customer experience as a whole.”
Final thoughts
One of the standout aspects of working with HOMAG, according to Jake, was their honest and consultative approach. “They even challenge us on things to make sure it’s the right decision. We’ve always appreciated that they won’t just let you spend your money on something you don’t actually need.”
He concludes, “Bringing our manufacturing in-house was a huge decision – daunting, to say the least. HOMAG not only made it possible, but they also made it as seamless as can be. From start to finish, the service was excellent, and we’re glad to consider them a partner as our business continues moving forward.”
For more information or a demonstration of any of the HOMAG machinery and software, contact Adele Hunt at HOMAG UK on 01332 856424.
