There are a variety of options out there for automatic fabric cutting and spreading CAD/CAM technology. The question is, which one and why Pathfinder? We recently caught up with Rob Livingstone, Operations Director at Jay-Be, Andrew Brown, Financial Director at Alliance Office Systems, and Craig Weston, Production Manager at Knightsbridge Furniture, to find out the answer.
Rob Livingstone – Operations Director at Jay-Be
How were you cutting before?
Like most companies, Jay-Be relied on highly skilled pattern makers and hand-cutting tools to cut manually using patterns.
Why did you decide to automate your cutting?
During the design stages of our new folding bed range, it soon became clear that the volumes of product required would exceed our current cutting capacity. After a chance meeting with John Hollo many months earlier, we arranged to meet and discuss the potential to introduce Pathfinder technology into our business.
How has Pathfinder improved your business?
The Pathfinder cutting machine has not only allowed us to upscale production quickly and efficiently but reduced our waste to almost zero. Training time for the machine was a matter of days, and we have been able to train and promote our machine operator from within the business.
The new folding bed range for Jay-Be has been a huge project spanning almost three years, the new beds will be sold globally in many of the largest retailers both online and instore. Having the Pathfinder cutting machine has been pivotal in being able to upscale production quickly to meet our tight deadlines and played a huge part in launching such a well-received product.
How easy was it for your staff to learn?
Very, we advertised the role internally and trained two operatives in a matter of days.
Would you go back to manual operations now?
There will always be a place in our business for manual cutting operations for some of our more detailed and intricate sofa beds. However, when it comes to bulk production and total accuracy we will continue to rely on Pathfinder.
Would you recommend Pathfinder?
Absolutely, from the first meeting through to the final installation we have had nothing but positive and proactive conversations with each member of the Pathfinder team. The machine is simple to use, well built, and does exactly what we want, with the added benefit of having everything we could ever need in the future.
Andrew Brown – Financial Director at Alliance Office Systems
How were you cutting before?
Previously, we relied on skilled operatives to mark-up templates and then manually cut them using electric knives.
Why did you decide to automate your cutting?
Training fully skilled cutting operatives takes several years, which could become a challenge as our business grows. Therefore, we decided to automate the cutting process to simplify the operation, increase efficiency, maximize fabric yield, and reduce waste.
How has Pathfinder improved their business?
Alliance has an excellent reputation for being one of the fastest manufacturers in the office seating industry. The Pathfinder machine will help us maintain, and potentially enhance, this reputation as we continue to grow. Cutting time has significantly improved, particularly when cutting soft seating, breakout furniture, and more complex pattern layups, where the time savings have been substantial. Nesting the cut parts, especially on larger layups, has significantly improved material yield and helped us minimise waste. Although we haven’t developed any new product lines since the machine’s installation, I am confident that the software and the machine will enable us to develop new models much faster than before.
How easy was it for the staff to learn?
All of the software is very easy to learn. The pattern-making software is the most challenging, but the basics can be learned within a day or two. The machine operating software is much more straightforward, and we’ve trained new operators from within the company in just half a day.
How does Pathfinder compare with other cutters you’ve used?
We haven’t had any automated cutting machines previously, but we evaluated numerous options before purchasing the Pathfinder. We found the other machines to be overly complicated for furniture applications and more suited to apparel.
Would they go back to manual operations now?
We still have the capability to cut manually for smaller items, but we are increasingly shifting to the Pathfinder machine due to its clear benefits. Therefore, I can confidently say we will not be going back to manual operations.
Would they recommend Pathfinder?
Yes, we would have no hesitation in recommending Pathfinder. The level of support, from ordering to installation and after-service, has been excellent.
Craig Weston – Production Manager at Knightsbridge Furniture
How were you cutting before?
We were using a different cutting machine that was not working for us.
Why did you decide to automate your cutting?
We did this many years ago to improve efficiency and save costs.
How has Pathfinder improved their business?
The new machine has given us many benefits in efficiency, reliability and service contract costs, which are a lot less than previous.
How easy was it for the staff to learn?
It was easy for the operatives to learn. The Pathfinder software is very user-friendly.
How does Pathfinder compare with other cutters you’ve used?
As it’s a new machine it’s more user friendly and reliable. All the software is easy to learn and use, which has streamlined training time too.
Would they go back to manual operations now?
No, never. We’re very happy with the new machine.
Would they recommend Pathfinder?
Yes, as they offer very reliable machines.
For more information about Pathfinder Cutting Technology please email salesuk@pathfindercut.com or call 07572949248
