Anchor Fixings raises the bar with VOLLMER technology & its new Bladetorq brand

Since its founding in 2013, Anchor Fixings has established itself as a leading supplier of fixings and fittings to the construction and engineering trade throughout the UK and Ireland, but beneath the surface of this traditional business lies a company with a remarkable heritage spanning multiple industry sectors. This breadth of experience has shaped a corporate culture built on consistent investment in the best equipment available.

The VOLLMER CS860 with the Loroch machine alongside

“If you put in the best machinery, you get fewer problems and better quality. That’s the way we work,” explains Business Development Director, Guy Walker. “We’ve consistently done this with our other businesses – including saw blades – and it’s the reason we chose to employ VOLLMER machines.”

This excellence-first approach has driven Antrim-based Anchor Fixings to make a significant technology investment, positioning it at the forefront of precision blade sharpening services under its new Bladetorq brand.

VOLLMER CHHF 21H side dressing machine in the Anchor Fixing saw shop

The genesis of a strategic opportunity

“The investment journey began in early 2025, during a recruitment drive,” says Guy Walker. “Industry insight was eye-opening – competition in Northern Ireland was lacking in quality. We saw an opportunity to deliver superior quality and service by putting the right machinery in place.” This move aligned perfectly with Anchor Fixings’ established business model.

“Within the joinery industry, we already supply kitchen manufacturers and joinery workshops that produce bespoke fitted work. These customers are our main target market for blade sharpening because it complements our existing offering of consumables, fixings and adhesives. The decision became clear when we employed our own saw doctor,” Guy adds.

Investment in excellence

True to its philosophy, Anchor Fixings committed to a comprehensive VOLLMER technology package. Installed between March and June 2025, the new line-up includes:

• VOLLMER CS860 with ND 230 automated loading system

• Loroch K850T sharpening machine for steel blade applications

• VOLLMER CHHF 21H side dresser

• Gockel knife grinder capable of handling blades up to 3m in length

“We did our research, and VOLLMER came out on top. The quality of sharpening is second to none – you won’t get a better machine,” Guy confirms.

The VOLLMER CS860 processing TCT saw blades at Anchor Fixings

Advanced automation that delivers immediate results

The VOLLMER CS860 is a state-of-the-art, 8-axis machine that handles circular saw blades from 80 to 860mm in diameter with exceptional automation. “You input the diameter and number of teeth, and the machine does the rest. It probes and checks both the gullet and angle – it’s very smart and does much of the work itself,” explains Gavin Fleming, Anchor Fixings’ experienced saw doctor.

The learning curve was surprisingly short: “On the CS860, it took about a week to get up to speed, and VOLLMER provided excellent training support.”

With its current setup, Anchor Fixings processes approximately 80 blades in a 24-hour period, with potential to reach 100 blades depending on tooth count and bevel requirements. The CS860 even performs intelligent quality control: “If something’s wrong with a blade, the machine takes it off, marks it red, puts it back on the stack and continues with the others. When you come in the next morning, the control system tells you why that blade wasn’t sharpened,” Gavin explains.

Quality revolution & market impact

The results were immediate, as Guy recalls: “The first customer told us his panel saw was running quieter – that was his first observation.” According to Gavin, “The blades last longer and run much quieter. Customers will notice the difference straight away.”

In fact, the VOLLMER technology often produces a sharper result than the original manufacturing quality, as Gavin affirms: “When we sharpen, every blade is checked – whereas manufacturers might only inspect 1 in 100 cheaper blades, or 1 in 10 high-quality ones.”

The advanced wheel compensation system ensures consistent quality even during extended production runs. “VOLLMER machines automatically check for compensation and wear. We have ours set to check grinding wheel dimensions after every blade – other brands don’t do that,” Gavin notes.

A selection of saw blades on the VOLLMER ND230 automation system awaiting processing in the connected VOLLMER CS860

Innovative service model & market strategy

Anchor Fixings has also implemented a smart distribution model that uses existing infrastructure: “We’ve set up service centres with retail customers like builders’ merchants. DIY customers drop off their blades there, we collect them, sharpen them, and return them in batches,” Guy explains.

This approach creates convenience for customers and optimises logistics efficiency. In addition, it avoids one-off blade deliveries and ensures smoother operations. “We already have about 12 service centres in place,” Guy adds.

Advanced steel processing capabilities

The Loroch K850T for metalworking saw blades represents a major leap in efficiency. “On older Loroch machines, you had to set up three times – sharpen, chamfer one side, then chamfer the other. With the K850T, you just put the blade on, enter the data and it completes everything in one setup,” Gavin says.

The system also features improved coolant technology, and Gavin is pleased to report that: “The higher-pressure coolant cools during grinding and cleans the wheel simultaneously. This prevents HSS build-up clogging the wheel. We’re currently producing 20-30 blades daily, with capacity to reach 40-50 once fully up to speed.” 

The automated CS860 allows staff to undertake alternate tasks while the machine processes saw blades

 Competitive landscape & market opportunity

Anchor Fixings’ superior machinery and expertise have created an immediate competitive advantage. However, Gavin observes that  “Experience still matters. Many experienced people have left the industry, but even with advanced machines, you need expertise to know what’s wrong with a blade.”

The Gockel machine is the latest arrival at Anchor Fixings

Future applications & growth potential

The equipment investment presents opportunities in multiple sectors. Anchor Fixings is already exploring applications in food processing, where specialised steel blades are used for cutting bone and meat. “The food industry is a huge market for steel saw blades. You can’t use tungsten tips there – if one came loose, it would be a major safety issue,” Gavin explains.

The arrival of the Gockel knife grinder will further expand capabilities, enabling sharpening for guillotine blades in the paper industry, granulator blades for recycling firms in addition to equipment for tree surgeons.

Technology excellence & service philosophy

VOLLMER technology has impressed even seasoned operators, as Gavin comments: “The new filtration system is fantastic. The separate tank keeps the oil crystal clear, so we essentially never need to change it. On older machines, tungsten particles would dirty the oil, affecting the grind, but we now get a far cleaner, more precise result.” 

Guy summarises the company’s approach: “We always go for the best machinery as this saves problems in the long run, but when support is required, the backup and service have been excellent. That’s what we’ve found with VOLLMER.”

For further information on Vollmer UK Ltd, see www.vollmer-group.com.