At the fore-front of technology and innovation when it comes to the design and manufacture of blinds, Oceanair has recently made a significant investment in new equipment for the manufacture of aluminium Venetian blinds. The largest investment to date from Oceanair (apart from the factory itself) to enhance the company’s capabilities, the venture includes a remodelling of the factory workspace to include an extended mezzanine floor and new Venetian blind work cell. New equipment purchases include the latest in aluminium Venetian technology from blind specialist Hunter Douglas and now enable Oceanair to produce 50mm aluminium blind slats without the need for using major bought in pre-punched components.
Oceanair made the decision to invest due to the increasing demand of bespoke and customised blinds from our customers in the Marine and Residential markets, who typically have complex design needs. The new machinery uses modern software and technology which can meet these demands. As the design of yachts and buildings evolve, window shapes are becoming more complex, requiring tailored blind shaping. Previously, Oceanair would hand-cut Venetian slats during final assembly, using guides to meet the various shaping requirements. This was a tricky and time-consuming process. The new equipment can be programmed to cut slats incrementally longer or shorter than the last, whilst aligning the punching holes correctly to produce a shaped finish.
The new equipment is capable of 3 times the volume of previous machines offering much higher levels of productivity. Another key factor in the investment is the accurate handling and precision of the new equipment; now, both a Venetian blind expert and trainee staff can use the machinery confidently due to the sophisticated technology, reducing the margin for human error in Oceanair’s manufacturing. This all serves to improve Oceanair’s efficiency and lead times, resulting in a better working environment.