Panel Systems Punches Above its Weight With Latest Investment

12th February 2015

Sheffield-based Panel Systems, a leading manufacturer of decorative and composite panels, has made a significant investment in a new CNC punch machine to enable it to expand its metal fabrication services to customers.

The company, based on Parkwood Industrial Estate, has invested £180,000, supported by Yorkshire Bank and a RGF (Regional Growth Fund) grant, in the new punch equipment. The equipment will be part of Panel Systems' new Architectural and Composite Panels (ACP) division, which will enable the company to create more complex metal shapes from steel and aluminium for architectural panels and sheet metal work for curtain walling and the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) markets. It will be supported by Panel Systems' dedicated 3D CAD/CAM software, as part of speeding up production rates. Chris Ibbotson, Managing Director of Panel Systems, said: -The Construction industry is a major market for Panel Systems and we are increasingly asked to fabricate larger and more complex architectural panels. There is also the opportunity to add ancillary items such as brackets to our product range. We expect our investment in the latest CNC punch equipment will help us to further develop our business in this area at this exciting time for our company. This is the second major investment made by Panel Systems, which has included acquiring the latest 5-axis equipment to expand the capability of its new CNC Machining & Cutting Services division. The ACP division provides the construction industry with a bespoke structural bonding, metal pressing and fabrication service that is used to provide stunning facades to new and refurbished buildings. The division also manufactures a wide range of building boards which improve thermal performance and reduce the carbon footprint of a project; providing energy savings. The company, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, has also established two other dedicated divisions CNC Machining & Cutting Services and Foam Fabrication & Distribution, both based at Waleswood Industrial Estate. Establishing the three dedicated divisions has led to the creation of 10 new roles across its business. Over the past 40 years, Panel Systems has built a reputation for offering innovative, bespoke panel solutions for a diverse range of markets. The new CNC Machining & Cutting Services Division will broaden Panel Systems' CNC machining capabilities for products supplied to the construction, furniture, automotive, caravan and leisure equipment industry. The Foam Fabrication & Distribution Division offers hot-wire cut Styrofoam and distributes the full range of Styrofoam building products, including Floormate, Roofmate, Perimate and Styrofoam RTM throughout the UK. The division also distributes Thermhex a polypropylene honeycomb panel core. For more information on Panel Systems' Architectural and Composite Panels Division, visit the website www.panelsystems.co.uk , call 0114 249 5626, or email acp@panelsystems.co.uk