Above left: S Taylor thoroughly evaluated the capabilities of the machining centre Above right: The Conturex is driving productivity
an even balance of customers between private and commercial sectors.
With its own CAD designer on the team, the company produces a variety of product styles, both period and modern. It has a more contemporary range for the new build and extension market but has also established a strong reputation for making products for listed buildings and houses in conservation areas. Like many other industries, the joinery sector is facing both labour and skills shortages, however, S Taylor runs an apprenticeship programme with a local training provider. It also has joiners who have remained with the business long term – one member of staff retired recently after 51 years of service.
The company uses a range of raw materials including both solid and engineered timbers. That includes Accoya modified timber from Accsys Technologies, which it introduced years ago and today uses extensively throughout its product ranges. Sustainability says S Taylor is another core commitment – and it believes the environmental case for using timber products generally is increasingly helping the joinery sector in the market. It uses FSC-certified wherever possible and also has an ongoing programme to improve its own environmental performance. This includes minimising waste throughout the manufacturing process to lower its carbon footprint. The company says the new Weinig Conturex Artis + will further enhance its ability to boost yield and reduce waste. The Conturex is a highly automated machining centre for solid wood, providing complete processing undertaken with one clamping. Its patented PowerGrip RePos easy reclamping process, according to Weinig, “enables variable part clamping and automatic movement of the workpieces in the machine”.
“The workpieces remain clamped throughout the manufacturing process, thus achieving maximum precision and for complex clamping situations, the system also enables clamping in the fold,” said Weinig. “The result is the best clamping situation, maximum precision and perfect surface quality.”
With a large tool magazine, the Conturex boasts maximum flexibility for corner joints in both windows and door components. Users can choose between mortise and tenon joints, dowel connections and mechanical corner joints. Weinig’s product integration system also means only one data set is needed for all production components. S Taylor became interested in the Conturex due to its range of capabilities and productivity, and, after a thorough evaluation process, commissioned the build of a machine. It then partnered with a tooling supplier and four of the company team went to Germany for training at Weinig’s factory. Like anything new, said S Taylor, mastering the machine’s operation was a learning process, but once personnel are familiarised with the software, it maintains, the Conturex is intuitive and easy to control.
The installation and commissioning of the machine went smoothly, and its introduction actually created a new job opportunity, with S Taylor introducing a CNC apprenticeship. The Conturex, said S Taylor, has boosted its productivity and further improved quality
and consistency, so ultimately benefiting customers. Its aim, it said, was for the machine not just to live up to the S Taylor reputation for quality, but to better it. One particular aspect of the Conturex that stands out for the company is its simulation software. This enables it to simulate and evaluate machinings before running them live.
Moreover, the machine handles softwood, hardwood and Accoya equally well. By how much it will boost the bottom line waits to be seen, but S Taylor says it puts the company in an even stronger position “to deliver quality products within the UK timber window and door market”. In October this year, it is exhibiting for the second time at the Home Building and Renovation show in Harrogate and it maintains the Conturex is a tool that will support its sales effort.
With the heritage of 175 years of trading and the latest 21st century technology on board, S Taylor is now looking to its next chapter. “We are a family SME, which invests for longevity, job security and growth,” it said. “We’re optimistic about the future.” ■
Above: A wide variety of bespoke products are manufactured by S Taylor
www.ttjonline.com | May/June 2025 | TTJ
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85
