At Element Equipment, we pride ourselves in our custom machinery solutions. Since entering the market in 2021, we’ve made it our mission to look for additions to our equipment offerings that will add more automation to ease the pain of assembling building components. We are committed to innovation, and our drive to consistently add equipment sets us apart from our competitors.
Our drive to design and build the best equipment for any project, however, has also led us to successful collaborations for other industries and organizations too! We have over 40 years of company experience in designing and building equipment for various industries including agriculture, sawmill, and pulp and paper, and over 25 years in the building components industry.
Recently, we were approached by the University of New Brunswick’s Wood Science and Technology Centre (UNB-WSTC) when they asked our strong team of engineers and technologists to tackle the complex job of building a wood press for their testing program. This one-of-a-kind press was needed to enable UNB-WSTC to assist Canada’s wood industry in developing cross-laminated timber that has been deemed as next-generation green building materials.
We actually got to know the Wood Science Center when we ran a truss plant, doing various research and development projects with them on building components and in factory wall building. They knew our strong equipment fabrication capabilities, so when they started looking for a manufacturer that could bring their project to life, they contacted us. Basically, we took their idea from concept drawing to execution. They supplied us with general machine capacity that they were looking for and we went from there. [For images, See PDF or View in Full Issue.]
Beyond building the press they needed, we also helped them with the automation and programming, making this a great example of how much we can offer customers in terms of support. We did everything from the design to the installation.
With all of our projects, we focus on automation and keeping things simple for the worker. When we design new equipment or look at improving existing processes, we always ask: does it make sense, are we adding value to the design, and what else can be done to simplify life for the user.
In fact, our team members love the challenge presented with creating new machines and then going on to manufacture products that we sell and service. Seeing opportunities for improvement while running our own truss plant and today by visiting existing plants and talking with assemblers provides inspiration for new process and improvements. Working in various industries also allows us to garner additional knowledge, so that we can repurpose processes and equipment into the building components industry. Enhanced automation, while keeping a close eye on monetary constraints, will provide both a return on investment and an increase in productivity.
We’re not novices when it comes to designing and building our own equipment, and we’re pleased we have the opportunity to apply that knowledge and skill to the truss industry. In an ever-changing business landscape, adaptability is key. Our custom machinery solutions are designed with flexibility and scalability in mind. As your business evolves and your needs change, our machinery can be easily modified, expanded, or upgraded, providing you with a future-ready solution that grows alongside your success. We will continue to grow our company, and we invite you to grow with us.