In the world of structural timber, where the margins for error are thin and the demands for speed are ever-increasing, staying ahead of the curve isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. Calldene Structural Timber Solutions, a cornerstone of the South East’s engineering landscape, has just made a loud and clear statement about its future with a £140,000 investment in cutting-edge machinery.
The installation of the MiTek Mark 8C A-Frame press at their Dover Trussed Roof Company site marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategic growth programme. For those of us who live and breathe woodworking and structural design, this isn’t just a new piece of kit; it’s a fundamental shift in how the business approaches safety, craftsmanship, and volume.
Putting People First: The Safety Revolution
As any shop floor veteran knows, manual handling in truss assembly is one of the most physically demanding aspects of the trade. The MiTek Mark 8C is designed to change that narrative. By automating and streamlining the pressing of joint connectors, the new machinery significantly reduces manual labor, creating a safer environment for the team in Kent.
In an industry where skilled labor is the most valuable asset, Calldene is proving that investing in technology is, at its heart, an investment in people.
Efficiency Without Compromise
Efficiency is often a buzzword, but at the Dover site, it now has a physical form. The Mark 8C features independent pressing tables, a game-changer compared to traditional single-bed systems. This setup effectively eliminates the “bottleneck” effect, allowing multiple components to be processed simultaneously.
For the client, this translates to:
- Reduced lead times on high-volume orders.
- Increased flexibility for bespoke, one-off designs.
- Enhanced structural integrity through precision-engineered joint pressing.
From Design to Delivery: A Unified Strategy
This investment doesn’t sit in a vacuum. It follows a major building expansion and the acquisition of the company’s first dedicated delivery vehicle. Together, these upgrades form a “trifecta” of improvements that bolster both the Dover Trussed Roof Company and Triad Timber Components sites.
Les Fuller, Managing Director at Calldene, notes that this is a pivotal step for the brand:
“By creating a safer and more efficient manufacturing environment, we are directly improving responsiveness… This increased efficiency will ensure faster turnaround times for our clients, further strengthening Calldene’s reputation as a flexible, technically capable partner.”
Why This Matters for the South East
For architects, developers, and builders across Southern England, Calldene’s upgrade means they now have access to greater design scope. The versatility of the MiTek press allows designers to push the boundaries of timber framing, offering innovative solutions that were previously limited by hardware constraints.
As the industry moves toward more sustainable, timber-heavy construction methods, seeing a regional leader like Calldene double down on technical capability is incredibly encouraging. They aren’t just making trusses; they are building the infrastructure for a more efficient woodworking future.
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