Reflecting on the year just gone , it ’ s fair to say that 2023 was undeniably a tough environment for the industry , with market disruption and high-profile casualties . I have no doubt 2024 will bring its own challenges , but this industry is resilient and here at Haffner , we are confident it will be a positive year overall . We continue to see an increased focus on products that appeal to today ’ s consumers who still have discretionary spending power and are drivers of lifestyle led home upgrades . For this market , the answer is premium products that offer exceptional aesthetics , whether that ’ s the clean modern lines of aluminium or authentic heritage aesthetics . They also deliver modern day technical , security and thermal efficiency benefits too .
These high-end products attract a price premium because in part , they ’ re more complex or time-consuming
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to fabricate than standard products . The high price tag also means outstanding quality has to be a given , so there ’ s less margin for error in manufacture .
In practice , this means you can only secure the best profit margins on fabricating premium products if you ’ re set up to do so . When you can fabricate complex , high quality products efficiently , you ’ re in a good position . On the other hand , too many costly remakes will quickly eat into profits . The solution is always machine automation . Quite simply , sensible investment in machinery now allows fabricators to get ahead of competitors who are sitting on the fence . And we are seeing that many fabricators are choosing to seize this competitive advantage already in 2024 .
When it comes to machinery options , we offer solutions for all setups across PVC-U and aluminium fabrication .
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The SBA-4 PVC-U Profile Machining Centre is the stalwart of automated fabrication and has evolved over many years . The centre is easily programmed and adjusted to cut and machine every style of window , giving it impressive versatility . The heavy-duty , high quality design and Beckhoff control system mean it ’ s equipped for years of trouble free bar processing .
For fabricators looking to turbo-charge quality , the exclusive Graf Synergy range from Haffner ticks all the boxes . The patented machines deliver next level seamless welds , giving a clearly superior visual finish when compared to a standard weld . The machines are suitable for fabricators manufacturing feature-rich products , but they are equally appropriate for high volume casement output because they deliver high levels of automation throughout the entire fabrication process .
For aluminium fabricators there ’ s the popular FOM Industrie FMC230 CNC machining centre , which offers impressive credentials and delivers automation at every level . It is equipped with four controlled axes and a worktable with 0 °/ 90 °/ 180 ° positioning , providing superior accuracy and speed of manufacture . There ’ s also the FOM Industrie FMC120 CNC Machining Centre , which brings speed and
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quality to manufacturing .
The continued shortage of skilled labour continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the industry . By harnessing automation to close the gap , fabricators are able to achieve more output with less 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 .
It ’ s fair to say that the window industry is continually evolving , and we are continually advancing our offer to deliver the next generation in fabrication technology . You will see our commitment to innovation continuing in 2024 – and there is one machining centre we are particularly excited about . Watch this space !
My advice for any fabricator in 2024 is standing still is never a wise option . Strategic investment in machine automation now , puts you one step ahead today and tomorrow .
To find out how automation could help drive your business in 2024 , get in touch for a no-obligation consultation .
www . haffnerltd . com
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22 JANUARY 2024 |
CLEARVIEW-UK . COM |