Timbermark specialises in supplying marking systems for the timber industry using Hewlett Packard printing technology and Piezo UV-curing systems. Established in 2004, the company has customers across the UK and Europe, including France, Belgium, Slovakia and Hungary.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Timbermark: Timbermark is focused on the sale and support of inkjet installations. It is also always looking for new marking projects in a variety of industries and develops mechanical and software applications to meet their needs.
E.E: What’s the news for 2020 about new products?
Timbermark: Timbermark has launched an e-commerce platform, www.t-mark.co.uk and customers can purchase the range of Sojet thermal inkjet, ”TIJ” products direct online.
Timbermark is the main European distributor for Sojet printers and 2020 has seen the introduction of Sojet’s new V1H handheld printer. The V1H includes a scan-to-print function enabling users to reproduce barcode information in a variety of formats.
In addition, Timbermark has been developing applications for Yeacode’s piezo machine, which prints high reoslution with 32 or 72mm print head onto non porous materials such as metal plastic or glass.
E.E: What are the ranges of traded products?
Timbermark: Our ranges are:
- Sojet’s Elfin range: from the E2 to the E6, which can run up to 6 print heads to print up to 75mm high;
- Sojet’s handheld printers: D1 and V1H;
- Yeacode 81 series;
- Yeacode 84 series.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Timbermark: The timber market has had a requirement to print onto their products for the 15 years we have been in business. Timber products or packaging need to be marked to indicate that the wood has been heat treated or to give information about the grade of the product. But the latest high-resolution thermal inkjet printers are offering the opportunity to print more detailed information such as barcodes or logos.
For other markets printing directly onto the product or packaging is a newer innovation as they may have previously used paper labels for this. The newer printers and inks that have more recently been developed are opening up new opportunities for printing in these markets.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
Timbermark: There is a trend for customers to use the mandatory printing requirements to add value with their branding. Customers also looking to print directly onto the product or packaging rather than using paper labels, which means they need a variety of print options, including UV curing, to work on a both porous and non-porous surfaces. This is something we can provide.
Covid restrictions have also led to a change in customer behaviour. Our proposal to self-install the Sojet printers is welcomed by customers looking to limit their exposure to people from outside their circle. Self-installation avoids the need for external service engineers visiting site with the associated hygiene risks. Customers are also appreciating the chance to deal with us remotely and purchasing online via our T-Mark website.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
Timbermark: The Sojet handheld V1H printer includes a new scan-to-print function, which provides a variety of options for customers to reproduce barcode data.
UV curing inkjet gives the possibility for high resolution printing onto non porous surfaces. The ink once cured is solvent and abrasion resistant. The UV curing LEDs are integrated into the printer controller, so the system is managed all in one place.
Logo-switching system for marking pallets. This system uses a PC to set up the printing job, including selecting the designs for each pallet block. The system then switches between the designs according to the arrival of each block, and reverses the order for the opposite side so that the pallet looks identical from each side.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2020?
Timbermark: In summary a difficult year, but one in which sales have held up OK. We expect to achieve about 95% of planned turnover this year. We will have increased our international customer base and seen a good take up of our e-commerce offer, which was launched at the start of the year.
TIMBERMARK
