The £8.5m investment was announced in 2018 with US-based Globe Machine Manufacturing commissioned to supply and install the high-speed automated line at James Jones & Sons’ location in Forres, Scotland.
The new I-Joist line has the ability to manufacture I-Joists up to 13.5m in length and 450mm depth. In-line innovations include a tension tester and end trim saws, which aim to reduce on site waste and maximise floor and roof design optimisation by cutting to specified lengths suited to off-site manufacturing.
“Housebuilders are under some pressure to meet government’s new home build figures; we believe our investment in the new facility comes at a vital time and will enable us to support the UK’s construction industry and many of our loyal customers to meet these targets.” said Angus Macfarlane, general manager of the Timber Systems Division.
“Other innovations that we are launching in 2020 include a pre-insulated I-Joist that not only provides the necessary thermal properties required in roof design, but can also provide enhanced acoustic performance for floor and wall design. We have also recently launched our new ‘JJI Design’ software, a newly built CAD based 3D modelling program, significantly upgrading from our existing software with improved compatibility and increased speed of design.”
