Häfele, Akhurst Machinery begin expansion projects

Häfele has started a warehouse expansion project in Archdale, N.C., adding 94,000 sq. ft. to its distribution center that will increase storage capacity to over 60 percent, according to the company. A rooftop solar array will generate 75 percent of the facility’s power needs.

“The expansion of our North Carolina warehouse is an investment in the future success of Häfele, but also that of our customers,” Paul K. Smith, president of Häfele America Co., said in a statement. “Through this project we’ll be able to serve all of our customers in a multitude of better, more efficient ways – as well as reducing the company’s carbon footprint by adding solar power to our campus.”

“The equipment and processes employed within our Archdale facility are about to receive a monumental upgrade,” added Jed Kilpatrick, Häfele’s director of operations. “In addition to increased storage capacity, we’ll be adding the latest automated conveyor lines and product pick systems which will improve responsiveness, efficiency and order accuracy.

The total investment in facility upgrades and expansion is $13 million. Construction on the project will commence immediately with an anticipated project completion date of fall 2022, the company said.

Akhurst Machinery announces the addition of a new branch in Anaheim, Calif., which will support the customer base serviced by Akhurst and its subsidiary divisions of Cantek and Leadermac.

“This location will offer a fully operational demonstration showroom and a warehouse for machine inventory,” the company said in a statement.

Akhurst is one of the largest independent machinery importers and distributors in the wood industry. They are a fourth-generation, family-owned business spanning over eight decades.

Digital Wood Carver has partnered with Yeti Tool to represent the U.K-based company’s large-format CNC routers in the U.S. market.

“We’re excited to offer Yeti Tool’s SmartBench CNC in the U.S.,” Burl Tichenor, owner of Digital Wood Carver, said in a statement. “The SmartBench CNC utilizes an innovative design in order to handle projects as large as full sheets of plywood, for a very affordable price.”

The SmartBench CNC has a base price of $7,999 and will be available to ship in May, the company said.

The Board of Directors of the Hardwood Manufacturers Association elected Tommy Petzoldt of the East Perry Lumber Co. in Frohna, Mo., as president during its National Conference and Expo in Miramar Beach, Fla.

Other officers for 2022 are vice president Tom Gerow (Wagner Millwork in Owego, N.Y.) and executive vice president Linda Jovanovich (HMA, Pittsburgh).

Elected members to the executive committee are Geoff Henderson (Anderson-Tully Co. in Vicksburg, Miss.); Hal Mitchell (Atlanta Hardwood Corp. in Mableton, Ga.); Craig Miller (Battle Lumber Co. in Wadley, Ga.); Richard Buchanan (Granite Hardwoods in Granite Falls, N.C.), and Wayne Law (New River Hardwoods in Mountain City, Tenn.). Troy Brown (Kretz Lumber Co. in Antigo, Wis.) will serve on the executive committee as the immediate past president. 

This article was originally published in the May 2022 issue.