Universal Packing Specialists, Heathrow

Export packing and case making company Universal Packing Specialists has added a fourth Standard model to its all-Striebig stable of vertical panel saws, the oldest of which has been in use for 23 years.

The saws size sheet materials including plywood, Tri-Wall high performance corrugated board, foam and polystyrene, used in the production of packing cases.

The latest Standard TRK2 model was bought to meet an increase in business and to provide added production flexibility at the specialist company, which operates around the clock on weekdays.

It’s the second TRK2 5224 model to go into service with the company, which is based at Colnbrook, close to London’s Heathrow Airport. They work alongside a Standard II machine and an original Striebig Standard bought back in 1991, which is now used solely for cutting sheets of polystyrene needed to line crates when needed.

Striebig helps 24/7 operation

Said Universal Packing Specialists’ general manager Mark Davis of his latest purchase: “I would not dream of going for another make of saw. A Striebig may not be the cheapest available but it’s the very best. We operate 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday and the saws, which are vital to us, are in constant use from 3.00pm to 5.00am.

“I have stayed with Striebig for all our sawing needs because despite the sheer amount of work we get out of them, they just never let us down. The only problem we have ever had with the oldest machine in over 20 years has been a broken bearing.”

Standard TRK2s come in nine frame sizes for handling panels up to 5300 x 2240mm. The 5524 models chosen by Universal Packing have a maximum cutting size of 4300 x 2240mm. All Standard machines have a cutting depth of 80mm.

The Standard can truly be said to have set the standard in the universal class for vertical panel saws for many years. Its flexibility and range of options makes it the ideal saw for companies of all sizes.

The latest saw, like all three previous machines, was supplied and installed by Striebig’s exclusive UK agent, T.M. Machinery Sales Ltd of Leicester.

Said sales director Matt Pearce: “It’s a testament to the reliability of the Standard range that Universal Packing keeps coming back to us for more. It’s also a great advertisement for the robustness and precision engineering of Striebig saws that the first saw supplied in 1991 is still going strong after all these years.”

Universal Packing Specialists is the largest independent export packing and case making company at Heathrow. It packs everything from heavy machinery to fine art and from antiques to hazardous goods. Its case making service is for freight companies that do not have their own production facilities.