AV Birch will install machinery for the manufacture of ITW?Alpine SpaceJoist metal open web joists at Thomas Armstrong (Timber) Ltd in the new year.
The high volume roller press will be installed at Thomas Armstrong’s Flimby operation in Cumbria, and follows the introduction of a timber frame panel assembly line from JJ Smith Woodworking Machinery during the summer.
The company, which has a long history in roof truss production, cited the popularity of open web joists among leading housebuilders, due to product benefits including improved productivity and increased safety during the construction process.
Thomas Armstrong will be able to design, manufacture and deliver the joists to site in either loose format or as a floor cassette.
The earlier introduction of the time frame panel line means the company no longer has to outsource timber frame business. Machinery supplied by JJ Smith included an automatic framing station, squaring tables and an automatic nailing bridge.
“This is an important sector for JJ Smith and one that we see growing in the future,” said JJ Smith managing director Martin Smith.
“With the advent of more stringent codes, companies are looking at a variety of ways of offsite manufacture, including open, closed and SIP panels.”
