Case Study - Sanderson Brothers

Sanderson Brothers successfully introduced knock-down window production — including sliding windows, a first for this manufacturing method — by specifying the Soukup Wizard 4L CNC machining centre alongside the WinCreator data system. To support further growth, they extended their premises and added an automatic cross-cut saw and upgraded dust extraction, freeing up their main production hall for more complex contract work.

Sanderson Brothers were looking to modernise their window production by adopting a knock-down manufacturing system — a method that brings significant efficiencies in how components are prepared and assembled. The particular challenge lay in sliding windows: their complexity and the variety of configurations involved meant that no one had previously managed to produce them successfully using a knock-down approach. On top of this, the business was growing and their existing premises were becoming too constrained to accommodate both production and the showroom and office space their expansion required.

IWM specified the Soukup Wizard 4L CNC machining centre, integrated with the WinCreator software system for order preparation, and supported by the ZUANI tooling system. This combination gave Sanderson Brothers the precision and flexibility needed to handle the sophisticated geometry of sliding window production within a knock-down workflow — something that had not been achieved before with this method. Alongside the premises extension, an automatic Soukup Crossline 500 cross-cut saw was installed in the newly created material preparation area, together with a new filter for central extraction, allowing the main production hall to be reorganised for better workflow and the assembly of more complex contracts.

The knock-down production of sliding windows — previously considered unachievable by this method — has been running successfully since installation. The workforce adapted quickly to the new production approach, and the capacity released by the Wizard 4L has allowed staff to devote more time to the bespoke and special products that customers increasingly demand. The extended and reorganised premises now provide a dedicated material preparation zone, a proper showroom, and improved assembly space in the main hall, giving the business a stronger foundation for continued growth.