New Investment in Striebig at Permabond
When your primary clients include schools, prisons, train stations, hospitals, and supermarket chains that demand reliability, cutting corners on machinery simply isn’t an option. You need equipment that’s robust, dependable, and top-tier, backed by a skilled team of service engineers to ensure smooth operations. Especially when your daily tasks involve cutting large sheets of 50mm-thick MDF, 20mm compact grade laminate weighing 110kg to 150kg, and faced chipboard and plywood ranging from 6-20mm, lightweight saws just won’t cut it—literally.
That’s why Nottingham-based Permabond, after thorough research into various brands, chose to invest in its first two vertical panel saws from Striebig—a Swiss manufacturer renowned for quality, precision, and reliability, distributed exclusively by TM Machinery. Twelve years later, those original Striebig saws are still going strong, and the company has now added a third to its lineup: the Striebig Evolution.
“We have two factories and just over 4,000 square metres of manufacturing space,” explained company director Jonathan Wheeler. “We make toilet cubicles, reception counters, panelling systems behind the toilets—anything that can be made with wood or laminate. One of our biggest customers is Aldi. We produce packing benches for the end of their stores, furniture for staff rooms and managers’ offices, desking, cupboards—everything. Most of our work is contract-based, though we do get walk-ins and have a small showroom. We travel across the UK for our customers.”
Saving Time with Digital Saws
Jonathan, who has been with Permabond for 17 years, recalls the limitations of their old vertical panel saw before the Striebigs arrived: “We originally had an old wall saw that was completely manual. It was restrictive and far less accurate compared to the Striebigs. We had to use a tape measure across the wall saw bed and manually move a stop. With the Striebigs, everything is digital.
“Dave, our MD, wanted the best quality. When he saw Striebig, it ticked all the boxes. I was one of the first to use the machine, and it was fantastic. It did everything we needed and helped us expand. Cutting became easier, panels were quicker to handle, and the machine delivered flawless results.
“I know many people prefer sliding table saws, but we find vertical saws much easier for handling large sheets. Especially with heavier materials like compact, solid grade laminate, it’s simpler to lift them onto a wall saw where they stay flat for cutting, reducing the risk of surface scratches. Once on the rollers, even the heaviest sheets are easy to cut.
“The great thing about Striebig saws is that they’re built to last and designed by people who understand woodworking. Everything is straightforward and user-friendly. For instance, to change a blade, you just open the flap, push a button, and use an Allen key. It’s on a reverse thread, so there’s no need to overtighten. It’s simple, and that’s how it should be.”
A New Striebig Evolution Panel Saw
“The measuring device is integrated into the saw, and both the older and newer models feature digital measuring. If the device gets knocked out of calibration, it’s quick and easy to recalibrate—less than a minute. The new Evolution model works similarly to the older ones, making it simple to transition between machines. There’s also a handy stop on the upper panel support to help position sheets. Small details like this show the machines are designed by people who truly understand the needs of woodworkers.
“Striebigs are built to endure. They’re robust machines with rigid support structures, which is essential for handling 20mm compact sheets weighing up to 150kg. It’s much easier to lift a panel onto a vertical saw bed than onto a flat table. Vertical panel saws also save workshop space compared to sliding table saws.
“We purchased our first two Striebigs about 12 years ago, and earlier this year, we added the latest Evolution model. Our MD chose Striebig again because of the brand’s reliability and the excellent service we receive from TM Machinery. We trust both the brand and TM. All three machines are heavily used, serviced annually, and never let us down.
“With the new machine, we opted for a higher spec, including more automated functions, a digital screen, and a laser light system. These features enhance accuracy and make setup even easier. While there was an initial learning curve, TM provided on-site training with our materials, and now all our operators love using it.”
Maintenance and Servicing Support from TM Machinery
“The service from TM is outstanding. Over the years, we’ve worked with different engineers, and every one of them has been excellent. If they can resolve an issue over the phone, they will, rather than sending an engineer unnecessarily. They’ll guide us through troubleshooting steps, sometimes asking for a photo via WhatsApp. They genuinely aim to help rather than just charge for a visit.
“The only issues we’ve encountered with our Striebigs are wear-and-tear parts, which are typically identified during servicing. Other than that, we’ve had no problems. We’re on a regular service program, so TM services each machine annually, calibrating and checking everything. These machines are so well-built and reliable that they rarely need anything beyond routine maintenance.”
Contact TM Machinery for More Information
Ready to transform your woodworking operation? Talk to TM and discover how the automation within Striebig’s range of vertical panel saws can help streamline production and increase your business’s potential.
