New Zealand-based fabrication shop Sheetmetals Limited recently purchased a TruPunch turret punch from Headland Machinery in a bid to ensure a quality end product with improved customer lead times.
Originally established in the 1930s, Sheetmetals Ltd (SML) was acquired in 1983 by Kerry Dines, Director and Owner of Dines Group of Companies. SML is a fabrication business focused on architectural design, facades, structural steel products, balustrades, handrails and all other building components such as cabinets and including retail and office fit-outs. SML currently employs over 21 people and works with all kinds of sheet metal such as stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, brass, bronze across multiple industries.
Claden Williams, General Manager at SML, discussed the compay’ recent purchase of a TRUMPF turret punch.
“We’ll be using the TruPunch for improved customer lead times and to ensure a quality end product,” says Williams. “We originally wanted to buy a smaller punch; however, with the growth projection of the company we wanted a machine that could grow with us, and would not need to be replaced too quickly.”
Williams joined the company over seven years ago, starting off in project management and then progressing to the General Manager position. He has focused heavily on streamlining operations, workflows and trying to improve work efficiencies since joining the company.
“We chose the TRUMPF product due to the high-quality reputation and output, but also due to Colin Brown (Digital Solutions and Applications Specialist at Headland),” Williams adds. “He’s provided us with great support from the beginning, whether that’s through the installation process, training, technical support, software or automation advice, he’s a great person to work with and easy to get along with.”
Many of SML’s customers use TRUMPF equipment, so Williams opted for the same brand to get consistent quality. The SML team also requested TRUMPF due to their comfort with the operating systems and software. With the new machine, the company will be able to go after more work in the perforated sheet area for buildings and ceilings, balustrades, facades and other products for the construction and architectural industry.
“Previously, we outsourced the perforated sheet manufacturing,” Williams explains. “We wanted to bring this in-house primarily to speed-up timelines and have the ability to provide greater support to our customers.”
SML is facing similar business challenges to a lot of manufacturers. With apprenticeship programs having been essentially stopped some years ago, the company is struggling to find new talent.
“It’s hard to get the right people that can grow with the company and learn the new technology,” says Williams. “When you have the latest equipment, that certainly helps to attract the right people that want to work with that technology.
“I’m all about time management, it’s important to me that we as a business set up each job in the most efficient and cost-effective way, where you stop and start each job is important. I’m expecting to save a lot of set-up time with the new punch in addition to the efficiencies gained through the advanced technology.”