Insignia Specifies Wittmann Battenfeld

Leading furniture components supplier, Insignia Manufacturing Ltd, has recently completed the purchase and commissioning of a further Wittmann Battenfeld injection moulding machine.

Insignia’s investment over the past two years with Wittmann Battenfeld now totals three such moulding machines, together with ancillary production equipment, including granulators, hopper loaders, and Wittmann 3 axis robots. The latest injection moulding machine is equipped with the new B8 Unilog controller from Wittmann Battenfeld.

Market expansion is the principal reason for Corby based Insignia’s investment: Over the past 25 years the company has become a leading supplier of plastics-based hardware for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom (KBB) industries, selling mainly to major manufacturers within the sectors. The UK market accounts for over 85% of the Company’s production and Insignia is currently looking to increase its export activities with a number of enquiries currently in the pipeline.

Managing Director Nick Kingdom reports that ‘in contrast to the expected cyclical nature of the KBB industry, business demand had not slackened off at all during the last twelve months, despite the reported slowdown in the housing market. When the housing market stagnates we tend to find that home owners start investing in their existing properties and the main areas of investment fall into one of the sectors which we supply.’

Insignia’s product range is mainly proprietary: The company designs and creates the majority of its products via an in-house design and tooling shop. All components are made from plastics recyclate of various kinds – adding green credentials to the buyer’s selection criteria.

Insignia Manufacturing

With its own investment at stake the Insignia route to market is careful and considered. Managing Director Nick Kingdom says ‘knowing Insignia is responsible for the entire manufacturing process means that we pay great attention to the evaluation of all factors concerned with efficient production. Our current moulding operations were born from a tool-making background and we ensure that all tools are as tightly specified as possible, maximising cavities in order to optimise our efficiencies and lower production costs.’

Nick says that Insignia spent a thorough period of research and scrutiny before committing to the Wittmann Battenfeld technology. ‘One of the things we require from our suppliers, he says ‘is a commitment to the long-term and we were impressed to find this thinking at Wittmann Battenfeld. We have been running two of the 60T machines for over twelve months now and they have proved to be extremely reliable, which is one of the factors that prompted us to invest in a further Wittmann Battenfeld machine. Factors of design, ergonomics and energy efficiency also encouraged us to invest in the range of ancillary equipment.’

All three Wittmann Battenfeld injection-moulding machines are equipped with large injection units and screws in order to fully facilitate multi cavity moulding. The machines were supplied with Wittmann WP80 sprue picking robots, Wittmann MAS3 granulators and Wittmann S3 Net loaders with dual proportioning valves. Insignia has also purchased additional Wittmann ancillary equipment for its factory needs.

The total range of equipment provided to Insignia includes two Smartpower B6 60T 350 and one SmartPower B8 120T 750 injection moulding machines; six WP80 sprue pickers, five MAS3 granulators and seven S3 Net hopper loaders.

Stuart Spicer, Wittmann Battenfeld UK area sales manager says that ‘we are delighted to be partnering Insignia for its production needs, and look forward to assisting the company’s future growth and expansion.’

Wittmann Battenfeld UK will be exhibiting at Southern Manufacturing, Farnborough, UK from Feb 6-8. All further details direct from the company.

Wittmann Battenfeld logo

Wittmann Battenfeld
+44-1933275777
Website
Email

Subscribe to our newsletter