Premiere Kitchens has officially commissioned a £3.25 million investment in advanced manufacturing technology that will increase production capacity by up to 60% while raising quality standards for the UK’s social housing sector.
The investment was officially opened by Julie Kent MBE, former High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, marking the completion of the first phase of a wider £5 million, three-year manufacturing investment programme at its Gloucester factory.
Following an extensive international review of available technologies, Premiere selected Homag as its machinery partner, with the company’s reputation for innovation, reliability and engineering excellence in panel processing and edge banding being decisive factors.
The installation comprises two flagship production systems that fundamentally transform Premiere’s manufacturing capability.
At the front end of production is Homag’s highly automated angle plant saw, capable of continuous operation with minimum operator contact. State of the art CNC software controls cutting patterns, dimensions, waste handling and cutting speeds to maximise productivity while achieving industry-leading cutting tolerances.
Waste material is automatically removed via an integrated conveyor and guillotine system directly to Premiere’s onsite biomass plant, eliminating manual intervention, achieving zero landfill, and supporting the company’s circular manufacturing model.
The second major installation is a 42-metre four-sided combination edge bander, capable of processing all four edges of a component in a single pass.
The fully automated process mills each edge to ensure perfect squareness before pre-heating the substrate to optimise adhesive performance. High-precision tooling profiles the edging before the component is automatically rotated and processed on its remaining edges.
The resulting water-resistant, radiused edge delivers improved durability for cabinet components, doors and drawer fronts, all carrying Premiere’s 20 year warranty on manufactured component parts, all particularly important within demanding social housing environments.
The system is capable of producing up to 12,000 components during a single eight-hour shift.
Premiere Kitchens says the investment delivers between 50% and 60% additional manufacturing capacity without extending production hours.
Managing Director Andy Barham said:
“Our business has specialised in supporting the social housing sector since 1989. Whilst many larger kitchen manufacturers understandably focus on new-build residential, retail or merchant supply, both the refurbishment of existing social housing and supporting UK targets for new builds require a different level of expertise, flexibility and long-term commitment, all of which Premiere demonstrate.
“This investment provides much-needed manufacturing capacity for the sector while significantly improving quality, consistency and product longevity. It ensures we can continue meeting increasing demand while maintaining the standards our customers expect.”
Julie Kent MBE said:
“It was a privilege to officially commission this impressive investment. Premiere Kitchens demonstrates exactly the kind of innovative, sustainable manufacturing that Gloucestershire should be proud of. The company’s long-standing commitment to supporting social housing while investing in advanced technology is an excellent example of British manufacturing at its very best.”
Sustainability was a major driver throughout the investment.
Production waste now feeds directly into the company’s biomass heating system, providing all heating and hot water for the manufacturing facility, while one megawatt of rooftop photovoltaic panels helps meet the site’s electricity requirements, creating a highly efficient, low-carbon manufacturing operation without the need for a gas supply.
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