The Problem
Vicbeam, a laminated timber specialist, was contacted by Philip Island to make a wooden handrail for their penguin parade boardwalk. Vicbeam needed this to be custom moulded to a specific profile using Cypress timber. Vicbeam contacted Porta for to quote on a tricky laminated moulded profile design.
Tim Wallace, Sales & Marketing Manager, Vicbeam, requested a custom moulded handrail using cypress pine. Cypress was chosen as it is a Class 1 timber suitable for external use and is termite resistant.
Tim was told by two companies that this profile could not be done.
The Solution
Porta was the only company that had the ability and determination to assist Vicbeam with the complex design. "Porta was keen to do it from the start". Porta's cost of the profile and quote to run the timber was well within Vicbeam's budget.
In line with the tagline, “the people who know & love timber” Porta is proud of their work completing this project, which ensured a quality result for Vicbeam. Porta created a special tool that matched their exact specification and ensured the result was free of defects.
Porta's 65 years of timber manufacturing experience means any custom moulded profiles can be done promptly and with precision. Porta worked within the lead times that included approval by Philip Island as well as coating partners.
"Porta was willing to take on a project that others said could not be done. The professional approach to their workmanship is a testament to the team and to the company. We would be happy to recommend and use them again in future for any moulding project."
Special tooling had to be made for the outdoor handrail. Cypress is a notoriously difficult timber to work with due to its knots and brittleness. Vicbeam was very happy. Porta delivered a handrail shape that was consistent across the whole job. Using a maintenance plan (coating of Cutek Extreme), the handrail is going to be there for a long time.
"No dramas with lead time. A custom project like this is always required quickly. I appreciated that the production team kept to the lead time that they promised, which enabled me to take them back the factory and coat them with Cutek and meet my lead times for the client."
Tim Wallace, Sales & Marketing Manager, Vicbeam
