WMS has been working on the fringes of the Machinery Sales and Tooling for years and towards the end of last year an opportunity that proved to good to miss out on saw our new Technical Sales Manager join the team in January.
Stewart Norman has a vast amount of knowledge in the woodworking industry and a wealth of experience in Tooling in particular. Stewart has always been involved with the woodworking industry and in his younger years did both Joinery and Engineering as part of his employment. Stewart then lead up a branch of a nationwide Tooling Supplier and Saw Blade manufacturer before making a move back in to Joinery as a manager at a Shepherds Hut manufacturing company.
Stewart knows a number of our existing customers from his previous employment and will be a familiar voice on the phone or a familiar face on site when he carries out his customer visits. He is extremely motivated and is looking forward to pushing both Machinery and Tooling sales, as well as using his experience to help out the existing teams members. Stewart hit the ground running with tooling and machine sales now ticking over steadily. This has enabled to begin assembling a stock of new machinery at our showroom just outside of Bridgwater, where we hope to be able to show off stock machines to passing customers or via appointment.
As a company we pride ourselves on ensuring our customer always gets the right machine and service, even if it means we have to pass a sale on to one of our trusted suppliers. For WMS, it isn’t just about selling the machines we have available, if a machine is not right for the customer we will go above and beyond to find them a machine that fits their requirements. This correlates into our service work and the supply of tooling. We always endeavor to do what is right for our customers, so that we offer long term cost effective service across all areas of the business.
We have recently updated our website with a number of machines that are in stock or shortly coming in to stock, both new and used and if anything is of interest please don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to Stewart about your machinery and tooling requirements. If we don’t have what you are looking for on the website it doesn’t mean we don’t have or can’t get it, we are always at the phone or available by email to answer any questions and give advice so you may as well make the most of it.
Stewart can be reached on;
07467 177293
On February 28th with the help of M&R Williams, WMS moved its current stock of machines, spares and office equipment from Bicknoller, to new premises in Fiddington, near Bridgwater. This new building offers more space and a far better working environment for the WMS team members. It has direct links to Bridgwater with the Junction for the M5 being less than 15 minutes’ drive away; allowing quicker access to the motorway and providing a better route for machine deliveries.
“The new unit allows us to hold more stock of both second hand and new machines and although new machinery is proving difficult to source, we are able to service and refurbish more quality second hand machines which we can supply direct to customers,” said Taylor Buller. “Our previous unit did not lend itself to having full time office staff, but we now have a fit-for-purpose office which is is manned Monday to Friday and provides a much improved working environment. It doesn’t feel like work when we are in such a stunning location with views like this!” he said. The new premises is located at Unit 4, The Packing Unit, Fiddington, Bridgwater, TA5 1JG.
WMS has been able to invest more money in the business with the purchase of a Forklift which should be delivered to site soon and will give the company more flexibility to manage its new and second hand machines.
Woodwork Machinery Services is proud to announce it has been shortlisted for the 2021 South West Awards for Business and Community.
Winners of the awards, which recognise the contribution that has been made to the local economy and community by local businesses and organisations, will be announced at a virtual ceremony on 29 April.
WMS was nominated in the category of SME of the Year, having worked hard to grow and evolve the business during what has been a very challenging year.
“We are really pleased to have been shortlisted for SME of the Year,” said Jeremy Danson, managing director of Woodwork Machinery Services. “We are looking forward to hearing about the winners of these awards which will recognise the huge efforts of local businesses over the past 12 months. To have been shortlisted is a great accolade and we are very proud of our team for their hard work and being able to adapt in such challenging circumstances.”
Woodwork Machinery Services engineers Chris and Taylor demonstrating the feed and accuracy on the thicknessing part of a planer/thicknesser that we have reconditioned and is available to purchase.
For more information on our new and used machines click here.
Woodwork Machinery Services is delighted to have been successfully nominated for this year’s South West Business and Community Awards.
WMS, which is based in West Somerset and provides the South West and South Wales with a range of services for woodwork machinery, has been nominated for SME of The Year Award.
The winners will be announced live on the 29th April at a virtual awards ceremony, which will not only recognise the contribution that businesses and organisation have made in the South West, but will also raise money for charity Cherishers 811 CIC, which provides assistance with meaningful employment for disenfranchised members of society.
“We are really pleased to have been nominated for this award and look forward to finding out who the shortlisted companies and organisations are for this year. 2020 was a difficult year for everyone, but we were fortunate to have taken advantage of some opportunities to grow and expand during that time; our company is now really excited about the future,” said Jeremy Danson, managing director of WMS.
Shortlisted Nominees will be announced on the 13th April and final judging will take place on 22nd April.
Richard Hacker, owner of Feelgood Ecobeds in Exeter, Devon, contacted Woodwork Machinery Services (an Authorised Distributor of SCM machinery for the South West), to enquire about a machine he was interested in purchasing; the SCM Minimax AD21. This is a semi automatic boring machine which allows simultaneous drilling of multiple drill positions in one pass, which is ideal for manufacturing joinery and furniture.
So that the company could be certain that they were investing in the right machine for their needs, Jeremy Danson arranged for Richard to visit a similar machine in action on site at a nearby panel producer. Once it was seen in action, WMS procured the machine on behalf of Feelgood Ecobeds.
Speaking about the service he received from WMS, Richard commented:
“Jeremy provided us with a great personal service from the initial enquiry through to ensuring the machine was operating successfully. He was quick to respond to telephone queries and happy to visit site when we encountered some technical issues. We have benefited from purchasing from a company with a broad knowledge of woodwork machinery in general, that can also address installation and operating issues. We will be sure to contact Jeremy in the first instance for any future purchasing requirements.”
Companies and organisations are trying to make every penny count right now. The Covid crisis hit pockets hard in 2020 and with staff shortages due to furlough, isolation, illness and lockdown, keeping productive is key. But ensuring that you factor a maintenance budget into your running costs could be a savvy move as part of your plans for 2021, especially where health and safety is concerned.
The investment ‘paid off’ for one such customer of Woodwork Machinery Services, who employs us twice a year to conduct safety checks and service their woodworking machinery. After each visit, we provide a report highlighting in brief what has been done and stating what condition the machines are in and if any actions are required. The customer is then able to clearly decide what actions they need to take.
Sadly, just a couple of months after having the machines serviced and checked, one of the machine operators had an accident which resulted in a serious injury. A full investigation was carried out by the authorities and the employer was found to be clear of any wrongdoing.
One of the key points cited by those investigating the incident was that the company had a history of machine maintenance going back several years and had clearly taken their responsibilities to the workforce seriously. This has resulted in fewer breakdowns and more importantly, ensures the machines are up to date with current regulations and are safe to use in the correct manner. That doesn’t mean that accidents won’t happen; but that the owner of the machine has done everything possible to protect its staff whilst it is being used.
Service costs have always been and will always be unwelcome, but this case study acts as a warning to those companies who may feel that this is not an investment they can afford. Ensuring the machines are safe to use not only means you are protecting your employees, but at the same time protecting your business and any personal liability.
If your machine is due a check over, make sure booking one in is made a priority for the new year. Often when on site, our engineers can spot other potential issues which could lead to breakdowns or problems with production. In addition, our expertise can help identify cost and time-saving solutions that you might be able to implement, as we find out how your business operates and how your machinery is used. We always try to keep disruption to a minimum whilst conducting necessary checks and offer competitive servicing rates.
For those companies who may feel a service on old machinery might not be an appropriate investment, we can always advise on replacement machines; and can supply a range of new and refurbished machines which can be fully installed. Our engineers operate with strict Covid secure procedures when on site to protect our customers and themselves.
Safety will always be our top priority when doing our jobs; and the productivity and peace of mind will follow naturally for our customers.
Happy New Year from all the team at Woodwork Machinery Services!
Based in West Somerset, Taunton Oak supplies timber, flooring and cladding to both trade clients and the public across the UK. It also provides timber care and contract machining to customers.
Demand for its high quality product have increased dramatically recently, and it was important to be able to maximise productivity on its range of machines. Having used WMS for many years to keep its machines fully operational as well as safe, WMS carried out a range of servicing on the machinery which included:
Additionally, we recently supplied adjustable tooling for Taunton Oak to add “corner rounding” to their machining range.
A good customer of WMS rang on a Tuesday afternoon with a breakdown. His dust extraction had failed and caused a buildup of shavings on his 4 cutter, this caused the blocks to stop and the motor burnt the belt causing it to snap.
This machine was recommended and installed by WMS as it is the correct spec for the customer and parts are readily available. A new belt was ordered on Tuesday afternoon, delivered direct from the SCM factory in Rimini and the machine was up and running by midday Thursday!
All done with less than 48 hours downtime!
A case in point of sourcing equipment using time served experience and reliable partners in the supply chain.
#SCMisMORE
Delivery to WMS showroom in Bicknoller, West Somerset which is used as a showroom and to store and refurbish woodwork machinery.
“This is really exciting,” said Jeremy Danson, Director of Woodwork Machinery Services. “As well as offering our range of woodwork machinery services we are also building up a good stock of new and used machines for our customers to purchase!”
For further information visit the sales section of our website.
Woodwork Machinery Services has opened a new facility in Bicknoller, West Somerset as part of its expansion plans for the South West.
The unit, in Bicknoller, near Taunton, provides office space as well as warehousing for its machinery and parts. The facility can also be used as a showroom for manufacturers to demonstrate their machines to potential and existing customers in the South West.
“We are very excited to be taking on a premises at this time,” said Jeremy Danson, managing director of WMS. “With our growing team of engineers and admin staff and needing space for refurbishing and demonstrating machinery, it is the ideal location for our market in the South West of England and parts of Wales.”
For further information on WMS showroom facilities please get in touch.
If your machinery has been stood idle for a while, it would be prudent to give it a quick check before start up. Here are a few things to check before switching machinery on:
Don’t forget: we are here if you need us…