JDR Products expands manufacturing capability with Bullmer PremiumCut ELC investment

UK manufacturer JDR Products has invested in a new high-performance Bullmer PremiumCut ELC cutting system, bringing advanced fabric-cutting capabilities in-house and increasing production capacity across its growing manufacturing operation.

Supporting continued growth

JDR Products is an established and growing UK manufacturing business with a strong reputation for quality, capability and customer service.

As part of its diversification strategy, the company identified an opportunity to expand its manufacturing capabilities into fabric cutting. The investment will enable JDR Products to take on a wider range of projects while providing greater control over production, quality and lead times. Bringing fabric cutting in-house will also reduce reliance on external suppliers and give the business greater flexibility across its production processes.

The investment will support the continued development of JDR Products and its two specialist brands, TruDomes and RapidGB. TruDomes manufactures geodesic domes for the glamping, hospitality, events and retreat sectors while RapidGB specialises in rapid-deployment shelters and related systems.

The additional in-house fabric-cutting capability will help the wider business respond more efficiently to changing requirements, develop new products and broaden its manufacturing offer.

Meeting the demands of a growing business

Previously, the business used a combination of manual cutting and external suppliers. However, as demand increased, greater pressure was placed on the production team to:

• Cut more work
• Cut increasingly detailed designs
• Work with a wider range of materials
• Maintain consistent quality and accuracy
• Meet customer requirements and lead times

JDR Products initially went to market looking for a used cutting machine that could meet its requirements. This led to Assyst Bullmer visiting JDR Products’ premises to understand the company’s needs and production challenges. Rather than a used system, Assyst Bullmer presented an alternative option: a new cutting system that required a greater investment but offered increased reliability and a range of modern features.

Following a successful trial at the Assyst Bullmer showroom, JDR Products decided to invest in the new system.

The Bullmer PremiumCut ELC

The new production cutting line combines the high-performance Bullmer PremiumCut ELC, measuring 3.2 metres wide by 3.2 metres long, with a 3.2-metre-wide AWM Automatic Feeder.

The system also incorporates edge sensors and a powered feeder, providing JDR Products with an automated cutting solution designed to increase production capacity and efficiency.

System specification

• Machine: Bullmer PremiumCut ELC
• Cutting area: 3.2m wide × 3.2m long
• Automatic feeder: 3.2m-wide AWM Automatic Feeder
• Cutting type: Single ply
• Edge sensors: Yes
• Powered feeder: Yes
• Tooling: Drag blades, oscillating tools and driven rotary wheel blades
• Material applications: Rigid and porous materials

The range of tooling options provides JDR Products with the flexibility to work with different materials and cutting requirements including rigid and porous materials.

Increased capacity, accuracy and efficiency

The new equipment combines increased production capacity with the accuracy and consistency required across JDR Products’ manufacturing operations.

The partnership between JDR Products and Assyst Bullmer has delivered a number of key benefits:

• Greater production capacity
• Pinpoint accuracy
• Material savings
• Continuous cutting
• Increased production flexibility
• Reduced reliance on external suppliers

The automated feeding system allows materials to be continuously fed through the cutting process, helping the production team increase throughput while maintaining consistent results. Combined with the cutting technology and multiple tooling options, the system provides greater flexibility across a wider range of production requirements.

A platform for future growth

The Bullmer PremiumCut ELC represents a significant investment in JDR Products’ manufacturing capabilities and forms part of the company’s wider strategy for continued growth and diversification.

The new system provides a stronger platform for JDR Products to respond to customer requirements, support its specialist brands and explore new manufacturing opportunities.

“The Bullmer system has given us the additional capacity and flexibility we needed as the business continues to grow. Bringing fabric cutting in-house gives us greater control over production and allows us to respond more efficiently to customer requirements while opening up further opportunities across the wider business,” said David Wharrad, Managing Director, JDR Products.

JDR Products – Investment at a glance

Company: JDR Products
Sector: Manufacturing – Technical Textiles
System: Bullmer PremiumCut ELC
Cutting area: 3.2m wide × 3.2m long
Automatic feeder: 3.2m-wide AWM Automatic Feeder
Cutting type: Single ply
Features: Edge sensors and powered feeder
Tooling: Drag blades, oscillating tools and driven rotary wheel blades
Material applications: Rigid and porous materials