Slitting Machines | Automatic Core Cutters | Core Cutting Machines   

 

Parkland International, the UK based manufacturer of Core Cutters and Slitter Rewinders have been in business for over 36 years.  They are well placed to offer an expert view on the Slitting and Rewinding marketplace, both in the UK and worldwide.

 

Managing Director and founder, Peter Kelly who has overseen many changes over the years, believes that the influence of the emerging marketplaces in Eastern Europe, India and China has changed the industry and that partnerships are the way forward. 

  

Peter explains “Slitting machines continue to evolve and develop to meet the ever changing requirements of the user. With the design features being primarily driven by material specification, productivity and price.  Significant technical advances have been made over the last 10 years in terms of drives, electronics and software, as well as the introduction of air differential winding, laser knife and core positioning, reel handling and automation. The single largest influence on the slitting machine market has been cost, which has risen significantly in Western Europe, particularly due to escalating material prices. Competition from Eastern Europe, India and China may not be quite so technically advanced or meet the necessary health and safety standards, but they are considerably lower in price. Therefore more and more partnerships are being developed to bring together technical and innovative design with low cost manufacturing.”

 

Parkland has seen an increase in enquiry levels and business generated from Europe over the past 12 months, this has delighted Peter Kelly: “we have traditionally had a very strong customer base in the UK, backed by a quality product and strong after sales service.  We are proud of our history and ability to keep our customers happy and we believe that this is the reason so many of them return when any new projects are announced.  In the European market we have always struggled to secure new business, primarily down to price, however over the past twelve months due to the decreasing value of the pound to the Euro it has become a very attractive proposition for overseas companies to buy machinery manufactured in the UK.  In addition, we have exhibited at key shows such as DRUPA and ICE which has raised our profile and enabled us to convert new business opportunities”.

 

Some of the projects that Parkland has overseen are featured below:

 

The Parkland SM100 narrow width Slitting Machine was purchased by a large diabetic test equipment supplier based in Germany.  Parkland Technical Director, Barry Salmon, said “The customer required the most sophisticated machine to accurately slit coated 12 micron polyester for their diagnostic strip pharmaceutical applications.  This machine has closed loop controls throughout.  All parameters set and recorded by a PC with minimum operator interference.  Our brief was to design the equipment so that all the elements are calibrated to guarantee repeat performance and to include a reporting capability for the ultimate in quality control.”

 

A French company that produces Hologram materials for credit cards and bank notes also purchased a Parkland SM100 Slitting Machine.  Parkland’s exclusive French agent, Yves Debarge explains “The customer required a machine that would provide precise slitting accuracy and tension control.  This model was selected by the customer because Parkland International already had machines successfully processing this material for other companies in the same industry”.

 

A long term relationship with Madico Graphic Films in Maidenhead was a key factor in the purchase of a Parkland SM150 Slitting Machine for a Polish based company.  Managing Director, Peter Kelly said “Madico already have a number of these high performance machines.  Having seen the efficient way in which materials are handled and processed, this gave our new customer the confidence to purchase the same model for themselves.  The 2 metre wide machine with 800mm rewind diameter with powered push off system, handles heavy reels effortlessly producing 20 tonnes every week.

 

On the domestic front a Cardiff based company purchased a Parkland SM250 Hot Roll Slitting Machine.  The machine enables them to produce a variety of woven products that are supplied slit for customer use, with some being used for garment labels.  Parkland’s UK Sales Agent, Steve Cording says “It is a requirement that when the materials are supplied, the slit edge fibres are sealed to prevent fraying when garments are washed. This hot roll machine provides the solution consistently and effectively by employing pneumatic crush cutting onto a 300 degrees C hot roll, which slits and seals at the same time.”

 

There have been a number of repeat orders too which highlights Parkland’s ability to deliver a quality solution that is built around performance, reliability and service.  This was confirmed when an existing customer recently ordered a SM300 Centre Surface Slitting Machine which is expected to be delivered, installed and commissioned in November 2008.  Technical Director, Barry Salmon comments “This machine is the second identical machine for this customer and configured for non woven products to control both high and low tension materials. Although the machine is 2m wide and 1m rewind diameter it is extremely sensitive in eliminating stretch and crushing, which is mandatory when processing all types of filter materials. This model has been supplied to manufacturers of non-woven filter materials in the UK over a number of years.”

 

 

Parkland Director, Damian Kelly is keen to point out that in the current economic climate, many businesses are also looking to improve their existing equipment rather than spend on a new machine.  Damian explains “A number of products that are generally supplied as standard on new machines are proving popular when customers are looking to achieve higher performance from their existing slitting machines. The primary request is for our very successful air differential rewind shafts.  Results have shown that when fitted they can increase productivity by as much as 30%. Also laser core and knife positioning is proving popular in reducing machine stop time. By providing the facility to position cores quickly and accurately, the machine can ramp to maximum speed quickly in the knowledge that the material to core alignment is sccurate.”

 

As a manufacture of Core Cutting Machines, Parkland International are fully aware of the  important role that the core has in a slitting machines performance and reel presentation, Parkland’s range of Core Cutters assist this process by ensuring cores are clean and burr free.  Peter Kelly explains “By ensuring cores are clean and burr free it allows the cores to be loaded/unloaded easily and quickly onto the rewind differential shafts, also allowing the differential tension system to perform at maximum effectiveness. Automatic core cutting machines perform at just in time capability to keep the slitting department supplied with the correct size of core on demand. However as we have a large population of machines around the world, it is very apparent how reliant a whole company can be on one machine. Especially as they are so reliable, these machines are overlooked in terms of back up and maintenance and can cause a plant to come to a stand still overnight. In this aspect we are making customers aware of this risk and are supplying back up machines as insurance and for load sharing.”

 

Parkland International continues to embrace new technology and move with the times, this is shown in the new company website.  Area Sales Manager, Matt Hanson who implemented the changes is keen to take Parkland to the next level in terms of their on-line platform, he says “our old site was very dated and lacked cohesion in terms of being user friendly.  Our new site is simple but effective and portrays the image that matches our products.  We are finding that our video streaming is making a huge difference and is proving to be our most popular feature on the site as it enables the end user to gauge exactly what Parkland has to offer.  More importantly, they can envisage what impact such a machine will have in their facility.  In the past we have always promoted the business in the form of pictures and whilst this was effective in it’s own right, our video library now gives potential customers a true flavour of what we can offer.”

 

With over three decades of trading history, Parkland International has seen many changes over the years.  In order to compete with the major players and the low cost manufacturers, it is becoming increasingly important that companies like Parkland are proactive and competitive.  It would appear that the hard work is starting to pay off.

 

Parkland International – 00 44 (0)161 7629737

sales@parkland-international.com