Holz-Her's new apps division aims at bigger companies.

Holz-Her U.S., a specialist in production machinery for the small- to mid-sized woodworking shop, has established a new division to supply computerized equipment to high-production manufacturers of furniture, cabinet and architectural millwork products. The new division is called apps, short for or automated panel processing systems.

"What is very key to the establishment of apps is the fact that in the past we only have been able to supply customers in the small- and mid-sized category," said Kurt Waldthausen, president of Holz-Her U.S. Inc. "Once the customers grew further, we were not in a position to provide them with equipment to meet their demands for higher output. The intent of apps is to offer high-production machines that will meet customers manufacturing needs as they grow. We can now be a part of our customers' evolution and offer them a choice."

Best known for its edgebanders and panels saws, Holz-Her has more than 11,000 customers in the United States. The new division, which was in the planning stages for more than a year, currently offers:

* Cosmec CNC routers, which will be introduced at IWF '98 in Atlanta, Aug. 2023. The routers feature an OSAI Series 10-control system with Ethernet connection which allows the customer to integrate the router into manufacturing environments and use readily-available software packages. Other features include: automatic tool changer options, single- and double-table configurations and 10 boring block spindles.

* The Project Series of Masterwood point-to-point boring machines. Holz-Her U.S. is an exclusive distributor of Masterwood boring machines. The Holz-Her division will continue to sell the Masterwood Speedy line of boring machines.

"With this equipment, we will be able to provide what we call seamless machining solutions," Waldthausen said. "Software is being developed in-house so that no matter what the brand of machines are in the shop, we will be able to connect our machines to other machines. We call it 'open architecture.'"

Heading the team of apps systems experts will be 15-year industry veteran Kelley Downey, national sales manager for the new division. The new apps division, which will be housed in a 30,000-square-foot addition to Holz-Her's Charlotte, NC, facility, will offer the same services that are available in the Holz-Her U.S. division. This includes: a leasing program; "peace of mind" warranty; a trade-in program; and same-day price guarantee.

With the establishment of the apps division, Richard Hannigan was named vice-president - sales for the Holz-Her division. Hannigan, a 25-year industry veteran, is now responsible for product and market development of Holz-Her's line of CNC point-to-point drills, wide-belt sanders, edgebanders and panel saw systems. He will focus on bringing computerization to Holz-Her's small and medium-sized shop customers.