The Shrewsbury-based agent said Vertongen Compact 3 machines have been sold to three customers in recent months.

Graefe Ltd of Thame bought a unit to tenon and notch out its door frames, while Tiverton-based Warren Hughes invested in a Compact 3 for the production of furniture and kitchens.

Christopher Bell Ltd of Banbury has also invested in a machine to supply the shopfitting trade.

Gerry Lynch, which has sold Vertongen machines for the past seven years, said customers were replacing old tenoners and profiling machines for ease of setting up, operator safety, quality of finish and quicker tool change times.

A lack of skilled labour is also causing joinery manufacturers to look at modern production technology.

Vertongen Compact tenoners are available from £12,000. Gerry Lynch will display a Compact at the forthcoming W6 show at Birmingham NEC.