A stair manufacturer based just six miles from Land’s End has doubled production output after moving to automated technology.
West Penwith-based Botrea Stairs, which could be the most westerly joinery in England, invested almost £250,000 in a Masterwood 3-axis Project 415L CNC machining centre, a Taylor stair press and a purpose-built 600m² factory to house the equipment.
The Project, Botrea’s first CNC machining centre, replaced five traditional machines and has doubled output from 15 to 30 staircases a week. It makes all components, including strings, treads, risers and newel posts.
“We have been able to increase production, cut down on overtime working, and have been told that our stairs are now easier to fit because of the accuracy of the machining,” said director Bill Padgeth.
The doubling of output has also led to the creation of two more jobs in the preparation section, with another carpenter being sought for assembly work.
