F&T efficiencies continue to be rolled out

Capacity increases in PlaceMakers’ F&T plants

PlaceMakers’ frame and truss operations continue to ramp up, with the Christchurch and Auckland plants acquiring two industry-leading truss presses.

National estimating and manufacturing manager Robert Grimmer says the roller gantry presses – which cost nearly $1m and replace the existing multi-head and platten presses – are worth the investment.

“Over the last ten years, the frame and truss industry worldwide has moved to roller presses, as they provide operational benefits over platten presses,” he says. “The main advantage is that they’re much quicker at pressing plates and the automated pucking system makes truss set-up a lot faster.

“The new equipment will improve efficiencies, as well as increasing available capacity to cope with growing market demand.”

Installation will be complete by the end of November in Christchurch. The Auckland installation will be carried out over the Christmas/New Year period. The existing platten presses will be relocated to Nelson and Hamilton factories to increase capacity and improve output there.

The new roller presses are much quicker at pressing plates and the automated pucking system makes truss set up much faster