Panel Systems marks anniversary with new factory

Panel Systems, a leading manufacturer of decorative and composite panels, is celebrating opening a dedicated CNC machining and cutting services factory in Sheffield, after securing an RGF (Regional Growth Fund) grant of £90,000 during its 40th year in business.   

The company has made a total investment of £150,000 in plant and equipment, forming a dedicated new CNC Machining & Cutting services division. This will broaden Panel Systems’ CNC machining capabilities for products supplied to the construction, furniture, automotive, caravan and leisure equipment industry.

The investment includes the latest 3-axis and 5-axis  machines which offer precision cutting, routing and machining for a full range of board materials, as part of Panel System’s creation of its new CNC Machining & Cutting Services division.   

The company has also established two other dedicated divisions – Architectural & Composite Panels based at its Parkwood Industrial Estate and Foam Fabrication & Distribution also based at Waleswood Industrial Estate in Sheffield.

Establishing the three dedicated divisions has also led to the creation of 10 new roles across its business in the last three months.

Chris Ibbotson, managing director of Panel Systems, said: “This is a very exciting time for our business.  With three clear dedicated divisions, we have ambitious plans for the future, based on our expertise and use of the latest technology. We are delighted to have been awarded Regional Growth Fund (RGF) funding from the LEP’s “Unlocking Business Investment” programme which has enabled us to invest in our new factory and it is fantastic to be able to create new jobs here in Sheffield in our 40th year.”

Over the past 40 years, Panel Systems has built a reputation for offering innovative, bespoke panel solutions for a diverse range of markets.

The new Architectural & Composite Panels Division provides a bespoke service of structural bonding, metal pressing fabrication and CNC punching of panels that are widely used in the construction industry to provide stunning facades to new and refurbished buildings. The division manufactures a range of building boards which improve thermal performance and reduce the carbon footprint of a project; providing energy savings.

The Foam Fabrication & Distribution Division offers hot-wire cut Styrofoam and distributes the full range of Styrofoam building products, including Floormate, Roofmate, Perimate and Styrofoam RTM throughout the UK. The division also distributes Thermhex a polypropylene honeycomb panel core.  

Panel Systems has also invested in new 3D CAD/CAM software to improve its capability and offer improved customer service across all three divisions.