CNCs for laminated beams, CLT walls and timber structures at Open House Essetre

Between March 6 and March 10, 2023, the Open House. The Italian company producing CNC machines for carpentry, frames and wooden houses opened the doors of its factory in Thiene to all those interested in such equipment. For 5 days, timber construction manufacturers from all over the world were able to see the machines at work, from joists for timber framing or glulam beams to CLT. From Romania, wooden house builders and manufacturers of wooden building elements participated, accompanied by Essetre, the distributor, the company Ligna Dumi Tech. We were present at the event to find out as much information as possible about the machines and to film them. Until the technical material and movies will be available, some warm impressions.

Essetre, family company with flexibility and quick decisions

Essetre is a typical Italian family company. Founded 44 years ago by Giovanni Sella, the company has evolved from the first pantograph built by the owner in his garage, to giant CNCs capable of machining CLT walls 13.5m long and 3.5m wide. Now, Giovanni runs the company with his three children and forms one big family with more than 50 employees. They support and help each other, united in good times and bad.

At Essetre they only make CNCs. They started with machines machining kitchen worktops, gradually developing new designs for different requirements. Giovanni, the big boss, as everyone fondly calls him, has always been the brains behind the machines. He continuously learned, improved and innovated to build the best machines. One of his sons follows him and is responsible for automation.

The main advantage of a medium-sized family business is flexibility. They adapt easily to the times and decisions are made much faster. Being such a company, it wasn't difficult for Essetre to see the growing trend of wooden house building and adapt the production for this field. Now more than 90% of the machines are for processing joists for roof trusses, glulam beams and wall CLT/X-LAM. The equipment is tailored to the needs of the customer, each one practically made to order. We work together with the customer to build from an existing base to custom-tailored machines that ensure efficient and accurate processing of wood elements.

Production hall turned showroom

Essetre does not work from stock, the machines are made to order. However, you can see the range of machines in the virtual showroom, which opened during the pandemic. For the event Open House took advantage of a period when orders were varied. Thus, 7 different machines were ready for testing and dispatch in the production hall at the same time:

• Techno PF 1250 Evo - Patented CNC for the construction of wooden structures, trusses, beams and CLT walls. The model is available with one or two machining heads;
•  Techno PF 2T - CNC for cutting, drilling and milling of laminated beams and wooden elements used in the construction of wooden houses, frames, pergolas, pergolas, gazebos, playgrounds, etc;
• Techno Fast - Versatile CNC with monobloc structure for beam processing;
• Techno Saw - Flexible and compact CNC for processing elements with small cross-sections (elements for wooden house structures, light or solid beams, etc);
• Techno Multiwall - CNC for the processing of curved beams, CLT walls or walls on wooden structure. Optionally an automatic panel turning system can be installed;
• Techno Multiwall XS - CNC with mobile gantry for the processing of timber frame walls, CLT walls and curved beams.

In addition to these machines, there were two second-hand machines in the hall. These come from customers whose businesses are growing and want to upgrade to better or larger equipment. The machines are taken in by Essetre, checked and repainted. Electrical, mechanical and automatic parts are mostly replaced. Then they are sold, and customers get a discount.

The event was not a big one and perhaps some, used to big manufacturers, were disappointed. But it was dense, with a lot of complex information, with opportunities to talk to technicians as well as sales representatives to analyze the best options for your business.

A good opportunity for showcasing equipment but also for brand building and socializing

Such in-house events are a good opportunity to strengthen brand image, create strong business ties and even long-lasting friendships. Besides the presentation part, opportunities are always created for meetings, discussions and debates. The most suitable occasions are meetings at the table which, in Italy, is treated with great seriousness. That is to say, you can't do without food, and at the table there is continuous, lively discussion, ideas are put forward and arguments are put forward.

This gave us the opportunity to meet new people, discuss the problems they are facing, but also to make friends. All over a glass of old grappa that loosened tongues and whetted the appetite for stories. It was a successful event that we will talk about again soon.