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DGM Joinery overcomes PAS:24 and Enters New Markets With The Joinery Network & Leitz Tooling
"Lignum products have opened up the new build market for us and enhanced our business. We can now offer a full product range to new builds where previously we could not”
– Gary Grange (Director of DGM Joinery)
DGM Joinery are traditional and bespoke joiners based in Kings Lynn. They offer their services to Kings Lynn and across the Norfolk coastline. DGM joinery produce a massive range of products including furniture, bespoke pieces, architectural moulding, conservation work and now, products from the Lignum range of timber doors and windows. Having historically focused on conservation work across the coast line, DGM joinery has always prioritised their quality policy in all their work.
Founded in 1981, DGM are now operating out of a recently expanded workshop on Linden road. The workshop contains a variety of machinery but DGM are renowned for their spindle moulding abilities. DGM Joinery became an affiliate of The Joinery Network mid 2021 and since being involved with the network have expanded their capabilities and their business. The Business has been using the Lignum system alongside regular tooling from Leitz.
Leitz Tooling is a founding member of The Joinery Network and provides tooling and technical support to members and affiliates. The Joinery Network was established in 2018 to help UK manufacturers of timber doors and windows get into the market by reducing startup costs by at least 65%. The network also lowers barriers to entry, as manufacturers using the tooling system inherit both required and coveted certifications, such as energy efficiency ratings, suitability for new and restoration builds or the police secure by design accreditation.
The Joinery Network brings together leading organisations and specialists from the market with the know-how, advice, products and services to help you move your business forward. From drawings to process optimisation, The Joinery Network enables joiners to produce high quality Lignum products and bespoke joinery at no cost to quality.
Having manufactured Lignum products since 2021, DGM directors Shawn and Gary open up about how the network has impacted their business operations and growth. “The main benefit of becoming an affiliate has to be that the Lignum products have opened up the new build market for us and enhanced our business. We can now offer a full product range to new builds where previously we could not. Additionally, The Joinery Network has helped us technically, without a doubt. The drawings provided from the network has seriously improved our lead time for Lignum style products”.
The cost involved in testing joinery products to PAS:24 quality has major financial and logistical implications for most small joinery firms, meaning for most companies it is simply unrealistic to test their products to consistently changing regulations. “Without the Lignum system, we would not have PAS:24, the cost is extreme”. But, joinery companies not following the current regulations may find that their demand decreases alongside new and more restrictive legislation.
As a traditional joinery company, DGM has always put their quality policy above all else. Despite moving from traditional joinery with their own DGM line, DGM is able to maintain their exacting standards with the Lignum products. “We feel confident that we can manufacture these new Lignum products to the same high quality our customers have grown to expect and keep in line within our own policies. We don’t have to check it, we know its right. The major thing for us, is complete confidence in the tooling”.
The DGM directors also reflected on the network itself. “The support from the network is great, these are all companies where you can ask questions and receive help and technical support. What surprised us is that people from the network call to check up and make sure things are running smoothly. The network has helped us to improve our profitability.”
Thanks to innovative solutions from Leitz Tooling, DGM has improved reduced their set up times drastically and improved their cycle times for new build projects . “It is definitely quicker replacing blocks and not worrying about fences and heights. Having the tooling all set to the same radius is far easier and means we don’t have to worry about it . For part Q products, our cycle time has also come down significantly. We can produce a lot of windows and doors, faster then we can produce our traditional or bespoke joinery. It has also led to a much faster process of preparing our work for painting as we have no need to sand joints thanks to the Lignum jointing system.”
“We have used Leitz Tooling since before we joined the network. We trust Leitz for tooling that is in continuous use because we noticed the cutters tend to last much longer. Especially after switching over from HSS tools to carbide. We also appreciate the disposable tip system – this approach has saved us time and a lot of money.” DGM also use Leitz servicing to ensure their tools last longer and are always at peak performance.
Finally, the directors from DGM discuss how manufacturing Lignum products has become crucial for joinery companies, given the massive shortage of experienced and skilled labour on the job market. This means companies can grow the skill set of their current staff and be confident new hires will quickly pick up the process. “Non-skilled bench workers and joiners can be easily trained to manufacture Lignum products. We are a lot more confident offering Lignum products to replace many traditional windows, there is much less risk compared to traditional joinery thanks to all the certifications and accreditation's.”
DGM Joinery has experienced significant benefits by becoming an affiliate of The Joinery Network and adopting the Lignum tooling system. They have been able to expand their product offerings, improve their manufacturing efficiency, and reduce their reliance on skilled labour. The Lignum system has also helped them to achieve PAS:24 amongst other certifications, which is essential for competing in the new build market. Overall, DGM Joinery is a perfect example of how The Joinery Network and Leitz Tooling can help joinery companies to grow and succeed.
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