JJ Smith - adapting to client's space

JJ Smith show how to overcome space constraints at Peter Ramsey.

Peter Ramsey Timber, who are regarded as the leading Divan and Bed Slat component manufacturers in the UK, have recently invested in two additional Stromab Matrix Automatic Crosscut Saws – bringing their total of these machines to five. Whilst the original three were stand alone machines, the two new ones - supplied by JJ Smith Woodworking Machinery Ltd, have been integrated into lines with moulders and double end tenoners.

Michael Ramsey the MD of Peter Ramsey Timber commented 'We gave the problem of the integration of the saws to JJ Smith and were pleased that they were able to tailor the machinery to suit our requirements. Space was very tight in the line and they were able to modify the equipment to suit our specific needs. They were also able to adapt existing conveying equipment and integrate it into the new controls.'

Managing director of JJ Smith, Martin Smith, who was responsible for the project, says the equipment supplied was from Stromab - a world leading manufacturer of crosscutting equipment based near Bologna, Italy, for whom JJ Smith is the exclusive agent for its range of automatic saws. He said 'Stromab have proved a very good partner for us for many years - their equipment is very reliable and they provide a whole range of saws, from very basic push fed saws to full optimising and defecting saws for cutting both straight and angled components. In the last few years we have sold around 150 of their automatic saws and time and again we have customers coming back to us for another machine as they have been so pleased with the first one they purchased. The installation for Ramsey Timber is particularly pleasing as they recognised the merit of investing in new machinery to ensure that they can continue to provide service to their customers.'

The overall project was co-ordinated by Lawrence Marklew, Ramsey's Maintenance / Project manager who added 'Building a relationship with a supplier is important to us as a company. If we get good service from one company they we like to try and work with them again.  The Stromab saws we already had have proved very reliable and we had the confidence in both the equipment from Stromab and the back up from JJ Smith to commit to further investment with them. Space was extremely tight and I was pleased that they were able to adapt the equipment to suit our specific requirements.'