Walker Timber Engineering, a respected division of the James Walker Leith Group, has been at the forefront of timber frame construction in the UK for over 100 years and has boosted productivity with MBA Technology.
With more than three decades of experience supplying high-quality timber frame structures, Walker Timber Engineering has consistently aimed to deliver superior services through its dual UK facilities in Staffordshire and Cambridgeshire, currently producing up to 30 units per week for national housebuilders. The company’s focus has always been to provide a full supply and erect service to the highest standards in compliance with their Gold Membership status, awarded by the Structural Timber Association (STA).
Faced with an increasingly challenging market in the aftermath of the pandemic – characterised by fluctuating material costs and tightening profit margins – Walker Timber Engineering sought a strategy to enhance productivity and maintain quality through innovative investment.
The Challenge: sustaining growth amidst market pressures
Paul Wilson, Production Director at Walker Timber Engineering, is responsible for ensuring the company manufacture and supply timber frame kits safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards. Paul highlighted the urgency for a robust solution: “We needed to find a cost-effective way to improve our productivity while maintaining our high standards of quality in an extremely competitive market. Our old semi-automatic lines were showing their age, leading to reduced output and quality, resulting in the transition to bench manufacturing in 2021. We knew we needed a more sustainable solution as demand was increasing.”
The Solution: partnering with MBA to automate timber frame processes
After careful research, Walker Timber Engineering chose the MBA X-Frame automatic framing assembly station as the ideal upgrade. This heavy-duty, automated station specialises in squaring and nailing timber frame panels, providing the precision and efficiency necessary to enhance production.
The X-Frame’s design allows operators to manually position timber components safely and ergonomically, enabling single-operator usage while maintaining output quality. The new setup increased output per man hour by 20%, reinforcing Walker Timber Engineering’s commitment to quality and productivity. “The new framing station allows frames to be put together ready for the installation of insulation, external boarding and breather membrane,” adds Paul. “Not only has this increased output, but it has given us the flexibility to add in additional stations at a later date, such as a nailing bridge, to make the transition towards a semi-automatic line producing finished panels.”
Michael Stanley, Sales Manager at MBA, adds: “It’s gratifying to see our technology making such a meaningful impact. Walker Timber Engineering’s decision to integrate our X-Frame solution demonstrates how well-conceived automation can solve real industry challenges and pave the way for future advancements in timber frame construction.”
Productivity gains and a vision for the future
The successful implementation of the X-Frame assembly station has prompted Walker Timber Engineering to consider further enhancements. The company is now evaluating the addition of a nailing bridge to extend the production line, which would further automate the application of insulation, OSB and breather membranes – a significant step towards semi-automated production that could ultimately phase out bench manufacturing.
Expressing confidence in the future, Paul said: “The partnership with MBA has enabled us to achieve the productivity gains we anticipated, even in a challenging market. This investment lays the groundwork for our next phase, where we aim to integrate more advanced automation and continue delivering exceptional quality to our clients.”
For more information contact MBA on 0151 548 9000 or email: [email protected]
Image: MBA X-Frame automatic framing assembly at Walker Timber Engineering
Source: Offsite Magazine – Issue 45
