Bairds Windows is a family-run business in Newton Stewart specialising in windows, doors, and conservatory manufacture since 1994. In 2019 Eric Baird, director, and son Malcolm Baird, fabrications director, were searching for a crosscutting solution to save waste and increase productivity.
After a visit to the W Exhibition in Birmingham they met the team from Daltons Wadkin, which was able to provide an automatic Salvador Super-Angle 600 crosscut.
With over 20 years’ experience in designing and manufacturing high-quality windows and doors, Bairds windows has now acquired a facility over three times the size of its previous workshop. Its customer base is varied, supplying PVC and timber products to domestic homes, commercial sites, and council buildings.
What methods were you using previously?
“We used to use a radial arm saw, and you had to try and optimise the length the best you could,” explains Malcolm. Compared to traditional cutting methods, Salvador automatic crosscut saws promise to increase yield by +15% or more, and reduce labour by over -50%.
Why did Bairds invest in a Salvador SuperAngle 600?
Looking to the future, Malcolm and Eric required a saw which could grow with the company over the coming years, and provide additional facilities to expand their portfolio. “We were looking to the future for other products that we could make,” says Malcolm.
The SuperAngle 600 offers both straight and angle cutting, with optimisation and defecting as standard. Daltons Wadkin is also able to offer remote machine monitoring and assistance.
How easy is it to operate the Salvador S600?
When the Salvador was installed, four operators were given training by a factory-trained Daltons Wadkin installation engineer. New technology often brings concerns around useability – however, the Salvador S600 has been made to be incredibly user friendly for operators. “We all picked it up within a couple of hours,” says Malcolm. “Sam was very good at explaining, everybody made notes and we picked it up very easily.
How do you input your cutting list to the machine?
“We can do the input of the information two ways,” he continues. “I can do it in my office off a network cable, or we can just input the cutting list at the machine, which we use 90% of the time”. Malcolm also highlights the simple user interface of the software.
What are the key benefits of the Salvador SuperAngle 600?
“One of the main benefits is the time saved for optimising, and minimising the waste,” Malcolm tells us of the significant saving Bairds Windows has seen by reducing waste. Volume varies day to day – however, the reduced labour time for jobs has meant production across the whole site has increased.
Would you recommend a Salvador SuperAngle 600?
“At Bairds Windows we would recommend the Salvador,” he says. “Daltons Wadkin were very easy to work with, they’ve done everything they said they would do for us. It was a great service from them, the staff were very friendly.”
Malcolm later returned to Daltons Wadkin for a Stenner band resaw, and Wadkin mortiser. Daltons Wadkin prides itself on customer service, and hopes to continue working with Bairds Windows over the coming years.
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