In recent years, Emerys Timber and Building Merchants has seen its on-site cutting service grow in popularity. But, with an ageing vertical panel saw that was no longer the steadfast workhorse it once was and order numbers increasing, it turned to TM Machinery – the exclusive distributor of Striebig vertical panel saws – to find not only a reliable cutting solution but also a dependable service partner.
“After 20 years, our old vertical panel saw had past its best,” begins Lee Rowland, Machinery Operator at Emerys Timber and Builders Merchants. “It was easy to maintain and with a little TLC, it ran and ran but we knew we were living on borrowed time.”
The Stoke-based merchants originally looked at purchasing a brand new Striebig vertical panel saw but it was a used Compact model that was in the middle of being refurbished in TM Machinery’s Leicester showroom that caught their eye.
“After being impressed by a demonstration on a new Striebig, we spent some time watching one of the engineers strip down a used machine that had just come in,” says Lee. “He was going through each part of the saw methodically – cleaning, checking and replacing parts as he went. This wasn’t just a quick wipe-down with a cloth – he was working wonders on the saw. It was clear he knew this saw inside out.”
With a competitive price tag, a lead time of six to eight weeks and a warranty included, the decision was made to purchase the refurbished model. “It did everything we needed it to do. It could cut 8x4 MDF up to 25mm thick quickly and accurately, could cope with cutting upwards of 180 boards at a time and required minimal training to use competently.”
Its compact size also fit the bill. Lee explains, “Most of the other vertical panel saws we looked at protruded 17-1800mm off the wall. The Striebig was only 900mm. This meant we could make the most of the space around the saw and keep access to an external door situated next to the saw clear. The decision to buy it was a no-brainer for us.”
Following its simple installation and some training, the saw was immediately put to work. “It does a day’s work without missing a beat,” admits Lee. “It’s really easy to set up and is equally as good at performing one cut as it is 100. It’s made our lives so much easier.
“It goes without saying that the Striebig is quicker, easier to handle and lighter to use. It’s a testament to the saw when the operators enjoy using it. There’s no strain on your arms or back thanks to the ball bearing support rollers and manoeuvrable motor head – they make handling a breeze. There are also no fancy screens or unnecessary technology on this model. You simply set the measurements accordingly and get cutting. This gives us the opportunity to maintain the saw quite easily ourselves and not have to rely on service engineers to complete minor jobs.”
Lee believes it’s the little things on this machine that have improved the company’s efficiency and cutting operations the most. “Take the length stop for example. A super simple but very effective tool to keep boards in position when cutting. Then there’s the strip-cutting gauge that helps us perform repeat cuts accurately without having to make repeated adjustments.
“Before, we’d always cut from the bottom of the board but the weight of the board led to inaccurate cuts and an uncomfortable working position for the operators. It also meant greater wear and tear on the blade as it had to support a 15kg board. On the Striebig it cuts from the top, eliminating this issue completely.”
TM’s service options also proved invaluable to the business. “We were looking for a partner – a company that not only sold machines but could service them too. We now know that TM Machinery started as a servicing company and the sales were an extension of that.
"Not only does this mean they know their stuff when it comes to the Striebig brand but it also means they can help us maintain and service our saws going forward. They offer a great package.
Lee concludes, “I can’t fault the machine in any way. When it arrived, it looked like new and continues to perform accurate cuts daily. Going forward, we believe we have the right piece of kit to help our on-site cutting service thrive and with a service plan in place through TM, I’m confident this saw will last us a long time.”
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