Cork-based South Wood Manufacturers making stairs at the double

Based in Cork, Ireland, South Wood Manufacturers has spent more than 40 years keeping the tradition of quality workmanship alive. The company has built a strong reputation as one of Ireland’s leading producers of bespoke architectural joinery, trusted by architects, contractors, and designers alike.

From doors and fire-rated screens to windows, panelling, and ecclesiastical work, South Wood combines heritage craftsmanship with modern innovation to deliver projects of the highest quality. But with demand for stair production continuing to grow, the company realised that traditional joinery equipment alone was no longer enough to meet its targets.

Taking the leap into CNC technology

“Basically, we needed more output,” says Tony Healy, Joinery Director at South Wood Manufacturers. “Our previous setup of old-school joinery machines just wasn’t giving us the production capacity we required for stairs. After a long time weighing up the benefits of CNC technology, we finally took the plunge.”

The team considered machines from five different suppliers before making their decision. “Masterwood was the best of them,” Tony continues. “We spent two days with the team, and they were on the ball with everything. The demonstrations of the machines, the software, and the way they explained things – it was impossible not to be impressed. They simply sold the machine better than anyone else, and from there, everything went smoothly.”

Working closely with Dave and Chris from Masterwood GB, South Wood opted for the Project 470 CNC machining centre. “At first, we thought about a five-axis,” explains Tony, “but the advice from Masterwood was that we wouldn’t be using it enough to get full value for money. They were right – the four-axis Project 470 was the perfect choice for us.”

Examples of South Wood Manufacturers' work
_{© Images copyright to South Wood Manufacturers}

Smooth installation and practical training

Despite the tight workspace, the Project 470 was installed without issue. “Installation went exactly as planned,” recalls Tony. “The training was excellent too. The team were with us for five days, running through the basics and making sure we were comfortable with the technology. Of course, with any CNC, you learn more as you go, but the Project 470 is intuitive, and Masterwood are always on-hand to answer questions. That ongoing support has been really valuable.”

A total game-changer for stair production

Since introducing the Project 470, South Wood Manufacturers has seen its staircase production utterly transformed. “Quite simply, we can now produce nearly double the amount of stairs than we could before. The output of this CNC is extraordinary, and its advanced capabilities mean we can take on more intricate projects.

"Quite simply, we can now 

produce nearly double

the amount of stairs 

than we could before"

“In the past, there were jobs we’d bid for that we secretly hoped we wouldn’t get, as we lacked the machining power to do the best possible job. That’s no longer the case. With the project 470, everything is quicker, easier, and far more precise. It’s a total game-changer.”

Partnership and ROI

For Tony, the relationship with Masterwood has been every bit as impressive as the technology itself. “We’ve been dealing mostly with Kris and Chris – both spot on. Dave as well. They’re a friendly team who really understand what a well-built CNC can do for a business like ours. It clearly means a lot to them to see their customers succeed.”

Looking ahead, South Wood expects the Project 470 to pay for itself within two to three years – faster than originally anticipated. “We’re expecting a lot of growth in the near future,” Tony adds. “This investment has given us the confidence to take on bigger orders and manufacture at a level we just couldn’t before.”

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www.masterwoodgb.co.uk