New connector offers further benefits

Quality by conviction Stöcklin Küchenmöbelfabrik AG in Aesch (Switzerland) has been producing kitchens for over 70 years. A new joining system saves time and increases efficiency in furniture production. Stöcklin Küchenmöbelfabrik AG; Mr Ivan Gehrig and Mr Daniel Hofer Founded in 1943, the joinery is a family-run business that is now in its second and soon its third generation. Today, the company employs around 45 people. The kitchen manufacturer combines industrial production with craftsmanship to fulfil individual customer wishes. For many years, the furniture manufacturer has installed thousands of "original wooden slats" from Lamello in kitchens that are delivered to customers throughout Switzerland. Stöcklin focusses on quality in all processes. "Quality by conviction" is how Daniel Hofer, junior boss and member of the owner family, describes the company culture. This is why the company also relies on high-quality components that meet its own quality standards. The wooden slats are used every day. Mr Hofer explains that well over 40,000 of them are used in their furniture every year, making them an integral part of every kitchen. The slats are mainly used for soffits, ceiling panels and finishing mouldings. Due to the large processing quantities and to increase efficiency, the grooves are milled in the kitchen furniture factory using a CNC machine. This process is a great advantage in every case of repetition, as the grooves in the workpieces are usually milled in a standardised grid dimension. For Ivan Gehrig, Operations Manager at the company, the slats are the perfect connectors for every application. "Simple, precise and ingenious" is how he describes the "Original Holzlamelle". The connector has become popular with furniture manufacturers due to its simple, quick application, stable connection and minimal material weakening, which is particularly important for panel materials. Another advantage is that the slats do not fall out when the workpiece is turned over for assembly.