New machinery for JJO increases productivity by 30%

Darren Eatough, production manager, JJO

Kitchen, bedroom and bathroom manufacturer J and J Ormerod (JJO) has invested £1.2 million in new machinery for its Lancashire-based production plant.

The company manufactures its products entirely in bases across Rossendale and has invested in the latest pressing and cutting machinery.

JJO had been using a Wemhöner press since 2001 and the new 3D Variopress model it has purchased and installed uses less energy, so costs less to run, and has already increased productivity.

Production director Bob Myers: “With prices rising, especially energy costs, we were aware that newer machinery would be more energy-efficient and, unlike the older model that we had, would not keep the presses at an operating temperature all day long. As well as having a lower running cost, the newer presses have allowed us to increase production.”

The new Wemhöner 3D Variopress is connected to JJO’s Sittex pressing and trimming line, which has a laser temperature control to reduce energy consumption.

Myers added: “Just two weeks after it had been installed, we had increased productivity by 30% – because the pressure we can achieve reduces the cycle time from three minutes to two. So instead of 20 cycles an hour, we now do 27.”

The new machinery has also been welcomed by production line staff at JJO and it involves less manual operations, obviating the need, once the vinyl has been pressed, to manually cut around the wood.

Said production manager Darren Eatough (pictured): “These new machines are a lot less labour-intensive and they have an automated cutting system. The quality is better and the reliability of the machinery is a lot better. Staff want to produce quality products and this new machinery ensures that it happens. It has made life a lot easier for everyone.”

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