February 2015
Harmony Make the Move to MiTek
In September, Kent based Harmony Timber Solutions Ltd took the
decision to switch to MiTek for all their software, connector plate and
metal web joist requirements.
It was PAMIR, MiTek’s brand new truss engineering software that really
caught the eye of Harmony, providing their talented design team with
the perfect platform from which to realise their full potential.
Commenting on the decision to make the move to MiTek, Managing
Director Garrett Dempsey said “Having seen the software, we quickly
recognised that the PAMIR software would help increase our efficiency
and speed up our whole estimating, engineering and production
process. I’m also particularly pleased that PAMIR produces engineering
designs to Euro Code 5, as we have found this to deliver benefits across
a whole range of trussed rafter roofs.”
With the many years of experience in their design office and manufacturing team, newly combined with the latest industry leading design
software, Harmony are now well placed to continue to provide their
customers with quality timber engineered products.
MiTek Industries are very pleased to be working with Garrett and the
team at Harmony and look forward to a long and prosperous
relationship.
Inside this Issue
CRENDON
ADDS NEW
BRANCH
LAVERS
CHANGE TO
MITEK
DTE OPENS
NEW BRANCH
PAMIR WINS
TTJ AWARD
CHARITY RUN
RAISES £1250
NEW FACES
Issue 16
Changes to the MiTek Team
March will see a change to our Finance Team as
Financial Controller John Tudor retires having
been with MiTek since 2007. John and his wife
Doreen are moving to Cheshire, a little nearer
to John’s beloved Man City, and are looking
forward to having more time to pursue their
various hobbies. We thank John for his hard
work over the last seven years and will
certainly miss his “northern charm” around the
office.
Earlier this year Wayne Barker joined MiTek as
our new Financial Controller. Much of Wayne’s
career to date has been spent managing the
finances of businesses in the construction and
civil engineering sectors. We welcome Wayne
to MiTek and look forward to working with
him for many years to come. Wayne and John
are working together until the end of March to
ensure a smooth transition when John retires.
Steve Paget joined our Customer Support team
in September, bringing with him a wealth of
experience having spent the last twenty years
working both in truss manufacturing and for
another system provider. Steve is very well
known within the industry and quickly learnt
PAMIR, enabling him to swiftly make a valued
contribution to supporting our newest
customers as they make the transition.
Crendon’s Expansion Continues
create a more secure future for the staff, with key personnel and operatives transferring into Crendon on completion of the acquisition.
"We plan to substantially increase the output of trussed rafters and
metal web joists as Holbrook Timber Frame progressively exits the site.
"This acquisition will enable Crendon to build on existing sales into
South Wales and adjacent areas."
For the design team at Bridgend, the acquisition provided them with the
opportunity to transition directly onto the new MiTek PAMIR software,
becoming one of the first truss manufacturing sites in the U.K. to have
fully moved over to the new design platform.
Late summer of last year saw Crendon Timber Engineering Ltd
purchase the trussed rafter operation of Holbrook Timber Frame Ltd,
based in Bridgend, South Wales.
For more information visit www.crendon.co.uk
Philip Bell, Managing Director at Crendon Timber Engineering Ltd said:
"We are delighted to have bought this high quality operation on a great
site. The acquisition of the truss side of Holbrook Timber Frame will
Want to see PAMIR for Yourself?
If you are a truss manufacturer in the U.K. or Ireland
and would like to see the software that the whole
industry is talking about, why not get in touch with us?
You can call us on 01384 451400
or email us at [email protected]
Page 2
Laver Timber Systems Switch to MiTek
In January, Laver Timber Systems (LTS) took the decision to switch both their truss and Posi-Joist
manufacturing operations to MiTek .
With manufacturing sites in Sheffield and Newcastle and with eleven sites in total across the U.K. the
Arnold Lavers name is well known and has long been associated with quality timber products. Their
decision to change system supplier came at the end of a detailed analysis of their business requirements
and we were delighted that they chose us as their new supplier.
Their change over has involved the linking of the MiTek business management software (MBA) to their
BisTrack ERP software, as well as their design teams learning to use the new PAMIR software.
Commenting upon the process Peter Howarth, Group Sales Director for LTS said “We have been very
pleased with the way that our move to MiTek has gone. MiTek have a team of very experienced people
who have demonstrated first class commitment to supporting us through the change over period.”
For more information about LTS visit www.laver.co.uk
PAMIR Wins TTJ Innovation Award
September saw PAMIR collect the TTJ Award for Market Development
in Timber Innovation.
Joining MiTek at the London awards dinner were representatives from
Crendon Timber Engineering, Donaldson Timber Engineering and Pasquill
- all businesses which have been involved in the final stages of the development of the software over the last two years.
Commenting on the award, MiTek's Managing Director in the UK & Ireland, David Fraser said "We are delighted that the industry has acknowledged the development of PAMIR in this way. To bring a brand new roof
layout and truss design software to market is a massive undertaking
which has taken hundreds of man years of work and we are very excited
From left to right: Roy Troman (MiTek); Loretta Sales (Timber Expo),
David Fraser (MiTek); James Close (MiTek); George Clarke (Architect);
Rupert Scott (TRADA); Tim Garner (MiTek) and James Morgan (MiTek)
about the final result. This award reflects the tireless work of our development team over more than a decade and also reflects the support that
we have received in recent months working in partnership with so many
of our customers in the UK and Ireland to bring the final product to
where it is today."
The award was judged by TRADA and presented by architect and TV presenter George Clarke from Channel 4's popular series "Amazing Spaces".
Page 2
New Year, New Branch for Donaldson Timber Engineering
years as roof design technician at DTE in Ilkeston. Brand new machinery
has also been installed, including MiTek gantry presses.
Donaldson Timber Engineering Ltd (DTE) made a positive start to the
New Year with the opening of a new branch in the North West of
England.
Following a £300,000 investment, the new branch in Warrington,
Cheshire will service the surrounding areas as far as Cumbria, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire, and also into North Wales.
DTE has recruited a team of seven for the branch, including
Andy Kennedy who takes up the role of general manager following two
The new site, which will focus solely on the manufacture and supply of
roof trusses, was officially opened on Tuesday 20 January by
James Donaldson & Sons Chairman, Neil Donaldson and DTE managing
director, Jonathan Fellingham. Speaking at the opening event, Jonathan
Fellingham said: “2014 was our busiest year to date, so we are investing
in new capabilities to better meet our customers’ needs. The Warrington
location is the perfect fit for us, allowing us to provide a much more
comprehensive service to our customers in the North of England and
also to venture into North Wales. Expanding the business has long been
one of our aims, and we’re thrilled to have a presence in the west.
We’ve got a fantastic team lined up, and it should be a very efficient,
cost effective operation.”
The opening of the new factory takes the total number of DTE branches
throughout the UK to eight.
For more information visit www.donaldsontimberengineering.co.uk
The MiTek Team Gets Active on London Charity Run
In November 2014, ten of our team completed a 10km charity obstacle run at Wembley Stadium, raising a total of £1,250 for BBC Children in Need.
“The MiTek Warriors” tackled hundreds of obstacles including running in rivers, climbing 8ft
walls, traversing water slides, dodging water cannons and along the way getting covered in a lot
of London’s mud! Pictured after the finish line above are from left to right, Luke Jones, Leanne
Tyler, David Fraser, Jimmy Close, John Barrett, Anthony Mitchell, James Morgan, Rob McLeod,
Peter Bullock and Dave Thomas along with supporters Kay Bradley, Cheryl Wellsbury-Ault and
behind the camera Lynda Tallet.
The big question for the MiTek Warriors is, “What’s the next challenge?”
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