Crafted by Culshaw has strengthened its woodworking productivity and finishing capacity after installing a Heesemann SWT 124 RC wide belt sanding machine at its Lancashire manufacturing facility. Supplied and supported by HOMAG UK, the investment is helping the bespoke furniture producer raise output, process solid oak more effectively and achieve consistent finish quality across different materials.
The installation addresses a critical production bottleneck. The company’s previous single-belt sander could not deliver the speed or surface consistency required as demand for its handcrafted kitchens and interiors increased.
Bespoke manufacturer targets sanding bottleneck
Crafted by Culshaw produces handmade kitchens, kitchenettes and bespoke interiors in Mawdesley, near Ormskirk. Furniture maker Michael Culshaw established the present business in 1992 on the site of his great-grandfather’s joinery operation.
Its manufacturing heritage stretches back to the 1930s, when G Culshaw & Sons worked as carpenters, joiners and church furnishers in the local area. The current business combines this traditional woodworking background with CNC machining and modern finishing technology.
Growth placed increasing pressure on the sanding department.
“Basically we needed to increase our output,” said Ted Culshaw, Assistant Managing Director. “We had a single belt sander that wasn’t up to speed.”
Oak processing exposed equipment limitations
The shortcomings of the previous sander were most evident when processing solid oak doors. While moisture-resistant MDF components could be passed through the machine, oak surfaces were vulnerable to visible scratches.
“We do oak solid doors as well as our usual moisture resistant MDF doors, and we couldn’t run oak through the old sander as it would leave scratches on it, so we were having to do them manually with a hand sander.”
Manual solid oak sanding protected product quality but required additional labour and extended production times. It also created a clear separation between the company’s automated panel processing operations and its finishing capacity.
The business therefore needed wide belt sanding technology that could increase throughput without lowering the standard expected from its bespoke furniture.
Heesemann machine selected at HOMAG event
Crafted by Culshaw already operated a HOMAG CNC machining centre and had experience of the supplier’s equipment and technical support.
“We already had a HOMAG CNC which we’ve always been happy with. We went to a HOMAG open day to look at some of their other machines, when the Heesemann SWT 124 RC caught our eye. It was exactly the kind of sander we needed.”
HOMAG UK serves as the UK representative for Heesemann sanding machinery. Its support covers equipment selection, machine configuration, operator training and after-sales service.
This established relationship reduced some of the risks normally associated with introducing a major new machine into a working furniture manufacturing facility.
Installation completed with minimal disruption
Advance planning played an important role in the commissioning process. HOMAG provided the technical documentation needed to prepare electrical supplies and dust extraction before the machine arrived.
“We had all the documentation and requirements for the machine sent over, giving us plenty of time to get the power and extraction all set up,” Culshaw explained. “The installation team stayed for the whole day, ensuring everything was perfectly in place.”
Operators then received a full day of training. According to the company, this was sufficient for employees to begin using the Heesemann SWT 124 RC confidently.
The structured installation process helped the manufacturer move from its older sanding arrangement without prolonged production disruption.
Pressure pad technology protects oak surfaces
The Heesemann wide belt sanding technology has enabled Crafted by Culshaw to process both MDF and solid oak doors on the same machine.
“It has pressure pad technology which allows us to efficiently process solid oak without the surface scratching issues we experienced with our previous machine.”
This capability has reduced the dependence on manual hand sanding. It has also improved workflow continuity because oak components no longer need to be removed from the main production sequence for separate treatment.
Programmable presets allow operators to store settings for different materials and components. This reduces adjustment times, supports repeatability and helps prevent incorrect machine configurations when production changes between MDF and timber.
Faster adjustments support higher output
The company reports that the Heesemann SWT 124 RC is faster to adjust and easier to operate than its previous sanding equipment.
“The Heesemann produces an excellent finish. It’s quicker to adjust and generally easier to use.”
For bespoke manufacturers, faster changeovers can be particularly valuable. Production frequently involves smaller batches, varying dimensions and different materials rather than long runs of identical components.
“Our output has increased significantly thanks to the speed of the sander and its versatility,” Culshaw said.
The investment therefore provides more than additional sanding capacity. It gives the business greater flexibility when scheduling customised furniture and kitchen projects while maintaining consistent finish quality.
Modern technology reinforces traditional craftsmanship
Crafted by Culshaw’s investment demonstrates how established joinery businesses can combine traditional furniture-making skills with automated surface processing.
The company still positions craftsmanship, material selection and customised design at the centre of its work. However, the Heesemann SWT 124 RC removes repetitive manual sanding from parts of the production process and gives skilled employees more consistent components for subsequent finishing stages.
In conclusion, Crafted by Culshaw lifts output and finish quality by integrating Heesemann wide belt sanding technology into its bespoke manufacturing operation. The machine improves solid oak sanding, accelerates MDF finishing and supports more predictable production. Backed by HOMAG UK installation and training, the investment gives the company greater capacity without weakening the craftsmanship on which its reputation has been built.
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