Lenox bandsaw blades' lead time slashed

US bandsaw blade maker Lenox has been supplying the UK market for 25 years, but blades have previously been cut to length and welded in The Netherlands and supplied on a lead time of between 8 to 10 days. Since 6 April, however, a UK-based production facility has been up and running at Lichfield, Staffs. "There is no doubt that the previous delivery times were deterring some firms from buying our bandsaws blades," admitted Tom Clibbery, regional sales manager, Lenox Bandsaw Division. "A few specialist distributors and 'saw doctors' have heir own welding faciloities and hold stocks of our blades in coil form, so they were, and still are, able to respond quickly. However, some of our distributors do not have that capability and relied on supplied from The Netherlands. " He added that, with the current economic slow down, customers are unwilling to hold more stock than is absolutely essential, while demanding rapid, just-in-time delivery to compensate. The new UK production facility supports this demand. In addition, the company is expanding its added value services for customers with the addition of a free bandsaw machine tune-up. This service focuses on the blade, band wheel,s drive, guides, clamps and hydraulics. A total of 13 key areas are tested to ensure that the blade runs straight, fast and smooth. Other services offered by the company include SAWCALC, software to optimise sawing parameters for each new job, taking into account the machine spec, material and blade, while there's also the offer of a free trial, where customers only pay for the blade if it outperforms the existing blade, in terms of cost per cut. The Lenox welding centre address is: Halifax Avenue, Fradley Park, Lichfield, WS13 8SS. Freephone: 0800 899 739. It is housed in part of a warehousing and distribution facility operated by parent group Newell Rubbermaid, which owns such household names as Parker, Waterman and Paper Mate pens, Dymo labelling systems, Calphalon cookware and Irwin tools.