Thursday, November 20, 2025
Manthei Wood Products has made a significant leap forward in woodworking manufacturing by investing in a state-of-the-art, fully automated BÜRKLE press line. This major investment is designed to increase efficiency, enhance product quality, and improve the overall flexibility of production processes. The new press line will streamline production and offer increased throughput per employee, addressing challenges such as recruitment and production downtime.
“We wanted to ensure we could increase the efficiency per employee,” explained Jeremy Manthei, CEO and owner. “Recruitment is one of our biggest challenges, so it was crucial to enhance the throughput per employee while minimising production errors.”
The BÜRKLE press line, with its advanced technology, not only aims to increase productivity but also provides high versatility in production. It allows for the manufacturing of a wide range of products, from panel preparation to pressing, trimming, and filling. A major focus during the development of the press line was ensuring self-cleaning functionality to prevent production downtimes caused by material residues.
Why BÜRKLE Was Chosen
Manthei Wood Products consulted with several suppliers during the decision-making process. However, it was BÜRKLE that stood out as the ideal partner. The choice was based on the technical specifications of the press line, but equally important was the trust developed with the BÜRKLE team, particularly Axel Mayer, the lead contact at BÜRKLE.
“An important reason for our decision were the BÜRKLE employees around our contact person Axel Mayer. Of all the contacts we spoke to, we had the greatest confidence in his project team and him. They understood our requirements exactly and were able to present technical solutions convincingly,” Jeremy Manthei commented.
Manthei was especially impressed by the solution-oriented and pragmatic approach taken by BÜRKLE. “Other suppliers gave us little or no details. Axel Mayer asked us to send veneer and glue. His team then created a comprehensive presentation with various brush and belt solutions, tested them in the BÜRKLE technology centre, and presented the results to us. I knew then: they don’t just talk, they also do it,” added Manthei.
A reference visit to a European producer with similar requirements finally convinced Manthei of BÜRKLE’s engineering capabilities. The company was able to demonstrate its high level of technical expertise, which led to a successful partnership.
Seamless Project Implementation
The realisation of the project was a collaborative effort between Manthei Wood Products and BÜRKLE’s project team. During the conception phase, there was extensive technical exchange to define the necessary line parameters and product dimensions. This close cooperation was essential for the successful execution of the project.
The project’s targeted schedule of 20 months was met exactly as planned, allowing Manthei to begin producing chipboard, MDF, and plywood panels with single- or double-sided veneer coating at significantly higher capacity, efficiency, and quality. “The installation process was very well organised. Fast and pragmatic solutions were always found for any challenges that arose, so that the schedule could be adhered to exactly, which is not a matter of course in a project of this kind,” explained Jeremy Manthei.
The system’s high level of complexity is worth noting. Previously, the process steps of pressing, trimming, and manual filling stations were distributed across separate systems. The new system integrates these steps into one continuous process. The result is a production line that includes two presses, each with five layers and capable of achieving up to eight cycles per minute.
Enhanced Flexibility and Efficiency
The integration of a special laying station for multi-layer structures ensures the highest level of flexibility in production. The veneers are fed using manual laying stations and vacuum conveyor belts, which enable fully automatic, ergonomically optimised processing. Product changeovers have become quicker, with a new veneer stack feeding system allowing for particularly short stack change times.
“Reaction speed during product changes has also been improved: the veneer stack feeding system enables particularly short stack change times, while the feeding and stacking systems ensure a stack change without losses,” added Manthei.
This innovation will allow Manthei Wood Products to better serve a wider range of customer needs, with flexibility at the core of the new production line’s design.
Looking to the Future with BÜRKLE
With the successful modernisation of its production facility, Manthei Wood Products has not only increased its capacity but has also secured a reliable partner for future growth. “My assessment of the project is very positive. The BÜRKLE project team has never shirked its responsibility to this day. It was always clear who was responsible for what and the cooperation was very fair and solution-oriented,” said Jeremy Manthei. “Our company is growing and I see BÜRKLE as one of our key strategic partners for future projects. Would I make the same decision again today? Yes, definitely.”
The partnership between Manthei Wood Products and BÜRKLE is set to continue, as the company plans to expand its operations further. The successful completion of this high-tech press line sets a new benchmark in the woodworking industry, providing a blueprint for future innovations.
About Manthei Wood Products
Manthei Wood Products, based in [location], is a leading manufacturer in the woodworking industry. Known for its high-quality products and commitment to innovation, Manthei has positioned itself at the forefront of production efficiency and sustainability. Through strategic investments in advanced technology, the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the woodworking and panel production industries.
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Tags: automation in manufacturing, BÜRKLE, chipboard, Manthei Wood Products, press line, veneer coating, woodworking and processing, woodworking machinery
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