The shortage of skilled labour is nothing new for this industry but since the pandemic , it appears to have worsened with little sign of any improvement .

Recent research from Make UK , the manufacturers ’ organisation , shows that 36 % of manufacturing vacancies are proving hard to fill ( compared to an average rate of 24 % across all industries ). Plus , around one in ten manufacturing vacancies takes longer than 12 months to fill .

Jamie Cater , Senior Policy Manager at Make UK , articulates the gravity of the issue when he says : “ In the last 12 to 18 months , we ’ ve seen the conversation really shift from having enough people with the right skills to just having enough people .” This shift in focus has implications , not only for fulfilling order books , but on future planning for business growth and sustainability .

Manufacturers , faced with this challenge , are understandably exploring various options . While pay raises , bonuses , workforce training and apprenticeships hold promise for addressing the shortage whilst nurturing talent , they fall short when an immediate surge in capacity is required .

When you need a comprehensive solution , there ’ s only one answer : automation .

It ’ s the answer that more and more fabricators are choosing as illustrated by our strong order book with double digit figures secured for machining centres across both aluminium and PVC-U .

It ’ s easy to see why . Simply , automated machines achieve more output with less skilled manpower .

However , automated benefits extend beyond sheer productivity gains . Automation empowers fabricators to scale production output in alignment with market demand , accelerates production timelines , elevates product accuracy and supercharges overall manufacturing efficiency .

This space is continually evolving as well , and we ’ re just about to extend our PVC-U machining centre portfolio .

We have designed and built the new SBA-1 machining centre for smaller fabricators . This cost-effective machine will cut and route between 300-400 windows a week with just one operator .

For larger output fabricators , the new SBA-5 machining centre is a machine powerhouse . It has all the technical qualities of the SBA-4 including additional servos to further increase routing times on both door profiles and night vents .

But that ’ s just the start . As well as machines that automate the entire fabrication process , you can also choose to automate individual elements of window and door manufacture . For example , our KT Assembly Tables are designed for use on single and tilt-andturn window systems and door sashes of various dimensions . The machines optimise sash assembly by combining several processes at one table .

Customer feedback validates the efficacy of automation with one fabricator confirming that the automated door table can prep three hinges on a door in under three minutes , saving around 40 minutes on each set of French Doors . They also confirmed that their new tilt and turn table preps a tilt and turn sash in under four minutes , which has dramatically improved the speed of their production output .

Here at Haffner , we work closely with every customer to understand their specific challenges and ensure they invest in the machine that ’ s right for them . There are finance options , subject to status . And our commitment to going above and beyond in every interaction is shown in the number of fabricators who return to us when it ’ s time to upgrade or extend their machinery .

While long-term investments in workforce development remain imperative for the industry ’ s growth , automation emerges as the pragmatic answer to address the immediate workforce shortages . Moreover , it brings the added advantages of elevated quality and manufacturing efficiency .

To find out how automation could help your business , get in touch for a no-obligation consultation .

www . haffnerltd . com

86 NOVEMBER 2023

CLEARVIEW-UK . COM