Driving efficiency: Browns 2000 invests in advanced HOMAG storage & cutting technology

For more than 40 years, Browns 2000 has been at the forefront of manufacturing made-to-measure doors and glass splashbacks for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms

From its 350,000sq.ft facility in Northumberland, the family-owned business produces over 25,000 doors and glass splashbacks each week.

The STORETEQ features a gantry frame with moveable lifting device, which is capable of feeding single or multiple machines

Committed to continuous investment in cutting-edge technology, Browns 2000 recently took a significant step forward by integrating a HOMAG STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell into its production line.

The need for increased automation & efficiency

Among its wide range of products, Browns 2000 manufactures Glacier, a laser edgebanded product that’s entirely processed in-house, including board lamination, cutting and further processing. As demand for this product grew, the company sought to enhance production efficiency and flexibility while maintaining the high quality it’s known for.

“We wanted to increase our capacity for producing Glacier while also gaining all the benefits that come with a HOMAG machine – quality, accuracy and efficiency,” explains Graeme Brown, Sales Executive at Browns 2000. “Previously, everything was processed on a beam saw. This new investment was a shift towards automation and a greater degree of flexibility.”

Why HOMAG?

Having worked with HOMAG for years, Browns 2000 turned to them first when considering this latest investment, as Graeme confirms: “They were our primary port of call, without question. HOMAG is a global leader in this type of machinery and yet, the service you get is what you’d expect from a smaller firm.

“It’s that personal, one-to-one relationship that really goes such a long way. From Alan Betteridge in sales to the engineers who visited our site, everyone has been a pleasure to deal with.”

With Alan Betteridge’s support, Browns 2000 selected the ideal solution: HOMAG’s STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell, comprising a STORETEQ P-300 single-axis storage and retrieval system that feeds a SAWTEQ S-320 flexTec panel dividing saw, all powered by woodStore 8 software.

STORETEQ & SAWTEQ: a powerful duo

The STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell is engineered to increase production efficiency, maximise layout flexibility and eliminate board damage. It manages board storage and provides a just-in-time feed to the machine, all within a compact footprint.

The STORETEQ features a gantry frame with moveable lifting device, which is capable of feeding single or multiple machines. Its lifting unit uses a crossbeam with suction cups to handle boards up to 250kg, rotating them up to 90°, which ensures optimal material alignment.

To gain first-hand insight, Browns 2000 visited HOMAG’s facilities in Germany, as Graeme recalls: “Seeing the Cell in action was breathtaking. The robotics are so advanced; they don’t move like typical machines that stop and start. Instead, they flow seamlessly, almost human-like. And the speed is incredible.”

HOMAG’s STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell comprises a STORETEQ P-300 single-axis storage and retrieval system that feeds a SAWTEQ S-320 panel-dividing beam saw, all powered by woodStore 8 software

A seamless installation process

Despite the complexity of the STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell, the installation went smoothly, consistent with Browns 2000’s long-standing experience with HOMAG. “In all the years we’ve worked with them, installation has never been a concern. There’s protocols in place to ensure a seamless process and any challenges are tackled together. Everything just flows from start to finish.” 

Boosting production & eliminating bottlenecks

Since installing the STORETEQ & SAWTEQ Cell, Browns 2000 has seen a substantial improvement in production efficiency, and according to Graeme: “It’s delivered on all that we were expecting, and more. We’ve been running the new Cell for a few months now and haven’t encountered any disruptions or bottlenecks in production.

“With Glacier, we start by laminating the boards in-house. Using HOMAG software, we create nests and cut the boards into components – and that’s where these machines come in. The components are then immediately loaded onto our laser edgebander and finished using the latest laser edgebanding technology.

“In other words, this Cell sits at the heart of our production line. If we didn’t have the speed or reliability there, it would create serious issues – but thanks to the Cell, we’ve been able to increase our output across the board,” Graeme enthuses.

Looking ahead

Browns 2000 remains committed to staying ahead of the curve through ongoing investment in technology: “As a company, we’re always looking at how we can grow,” Graeme affirms. “We’re fortunate to be able to invest in the latest technology and aren’t shy about doing so. We already have several HOMAG machines, and I can confidently say that we’ll be making many more investments in other HOMAG offerings going forward.”

For more information or a demonstration of HOMAG’s machinery and software, contact HOMAG UK on 01332 856 500 – selecting option 4 for the sales department – or email info-uk@homag.com.