Panels Plus is launching System-X, a new composite door, at Glassex 2002. Having researched the market they have identified a niche opportunity, a door that can be installed into and colour match up to 95% of doorframe systems, hence the name System-X.

System-X is a true composite door. Each side is clad in white (up to seven shades) 1.9mm PVCU or coloured Compax in Red, Blue or Green. Also available will be two shades of Mahogany, Rosewood and Oak. Customers will be able to specify a mix of these (i.e. wood-grain outside, White inside)

Underneath this tough exterior lies an internal construction with an EPS or Micro-Foam core. Additional reinforcing can be specified.

Existing 'composite' door companies have concentrated on New-Build and Public Sectorl markets, but offer very little for small to medium fabricators or installation only companies.

Nick Lake, Director of Communications for Panels Plus said 'The team supporting our MD Derek Mountney has a wealth of talent that is being applied to manufacturing and marketing this exciting new product and to accommodate the new production lines we have increased floor space to around 40,000sq ft across two levels.'

The investment in this project, as part of Panels Plus plans for expansion into the lucrative European markets has been considerable. Major items of manufacturing machinery have been purchased and installed.

A new Euro size vacuum-forming unit for the production of composite doors costing some £80,000 was installed. This unit is capable of producing 300 door skins per shift in twenty door designs dependent upon tooling.

Two CNC three-dimensional CAD/CAM routing machines each costing around £75,000 have been installed. These machines are currently used to provide customers with a high precision finish to cut door panels, and bring the manufacture of ART Resin 'Bevel Moulds in-house'. Both of these machines will be heavily involved in the production of System-X.

These large format machines also give Panels Plus the ability to manufacture press packers to higher tolerances, further improving the quality of finished products.

A Euro size Hydraulic Press was also purchased from Universal Imports, who manufacture and supply specially developed panel presses to produce panels to the correct pressure, and in the correct volume. All the presses are built to a very high specification, and have a built in safety factor. They are tested to 3 times the normal working pressures. The three existing presses are also able to press System-X. One of the key features of System-X is special tooling designed to create a wood grain effect. Each tool costs up to £10,000.

The completed System-X range will initially consist of seven distinctly different shaped designs and a plain flat door. Panels Plus will be developing a side panel to match the sight lines of several of the shaped designs, and further door designs as demand requires.

Any of the standard range of Panels Plus glass effects could be applied to System-X, this includes Traditional Lead, ART (Resin) Lead, Traditional Bevels, ART (Resin) Bevels, Sandblast Designs, Georgian Bar (White, Brown, Traditional, plus Gold and Silver Tubular) and Transfer Pictures, Owls, Dogs etc.

For maximum security the door is fitted with three Hinges and an Ultra High Performance Three Deadbolt / Two Hook lock fitted with an optional Snib (to avoid locking yourself out). Other door furniture is available plus the Scotia and Standard Letter-Plates.

Tel: 01708 632251; Fax: 01708 630172
E-mail: sales@panelsplus.co.uk
Web: http://www.panelsplus.co.uk

PDF FILE CLICK HERE

RETURN TO DOORS INDEX

RETURN TO GLASSEX INDEX

RETURN TO HOME PAGE