The machine selected by Brooks is hydraulically operated, can handle lengths up to 5m, thicknesses to 150mm and 915mm widths. Using a larger clamp opening it can handle widths up to 1220mm. It will be installed at Brooks’ new mill at Danbury, Essex where it will produce window and door profiles, kitchen doors, work and laboratory tops and stair components.
“Sales of laminated hardwoods and softwoods have increased significantly over the past couple of years,” said Brooks director Mark Fleming.
“The press will complement our stocks of standard size laminated blanks, enabling us to offer specials with a very quick lead time.”
JJ Smith sales director Guy Stanley said its sales of American-made Taylor presses were growing.
“The market is being driven partly by the rising price of timber which makes laminating a more attractive option,” he said. “They are also being used to make components for a wider range of products, particularly staircases – which is why we are selling more of the 5-6m models.”
The presses, he added, are also available in manual and fully automated side-loading versions.
Underlining the growth in sales, Taylor’s president Michael Burdis was at the show.
“Business in recent years in the UK has been strong,” he said, “In fact, it is now our biggest export market.”
