2026/02/16   |   Perth   |   Australia

When reliability matters: Artek Joinery’s approach to equipment selection 

For more than thirty-five years, Artek Joinery has been a trusted name in Western Australia’s bespoke joinery and cabinetmaking industry. Based in Perth, the company has built its reputation on solid craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and consistent delivery. Skilled tradespeople work alongside modern computer-based designs to produce fit-outs for offices, retail spaces, kitchens, and commercial interiors.

 

Clients expect precision. They expect a job done right the first time, every time. Artek’s team understand this, and they’ve invested steadily over the years in the tools and technology that allow them to meet those expectations. But in manufacturing, equipment isn’t just a background player. It can make or break workflow. 
Artek Joinery’s story began over three decades ago. From day one, the focus was on blending joinery traditions with modern capabilities. The company grew in step with Perth’s own developments: commercial office spaces became more sophisticated, retail fit-outs demanded higher aesthetic standards, and residential kitchens evolved from practical spaces into design statements.
When Wynand Louw, HOMAG Australia’s sales representative, describes Artek, his words are clear and spare as if he’s been in their workshop enough to know the rhythm of the place: "They’re dedicated to the craft of cabinetmaking. Vision and technology come together in their shop to create handmade quality that’s on time and built to last.”
This means each project starts well before any materials are cut. Artek’s designers work directly with customers, shaping concepts in CAD. This provides accuracy and helps clients see why certain ideas will work better than others. Once the design is locked in, production moves forward without hesitation. Every project’s timeline is carefully managed so the final installation happens on time.

The role of machinery in modern joinery

Modern joinery blends handcraft with industrial precision. Machines handle repetitive or high-tolerance work so tradespeople can focus on shaping details, fitting components, and ensuring flawless finishes.
In edge banding, a process that seals the raw edges of panels with a protective and decorative strip, precision is non-negotiable. Poor edge banding can lead to visual flaws, reduce durability, and cause delays as panels are rejected or reworked. For a shop producing at scale, an unreliable edge bander becomes not just an inconvenience, but a bottleneck.

The early relationship with HOMAG Australia

In 2015, Artek purchased a HOMAG 1650 edge bander. For years, it delivered solid results. HOMAG’s reputation for robust and precise machinery suited Artek’s working style: machines needed to perform under pressure without constant supervision. Having a dependable edge bander meant Artek’s workflow stayed predictable.
However, at some point after this, Artek decided to try a different manufacturer. They switched to an edge bander from a Chinese supplier, aiming to meet changing needs in production.

Trouble on the workshop floor

The Chinese supplier’s machine, installed in 2023, failed to match expectations. Breakdowns became frequent. Service calls disrupted work. Staff had to slow down production to accommodate the machine’s limits. 
As Wynand recalls hearing from Artek, the frustration was building: “They told me straight it just wasn’t up to the workload. You don’t want to be babying a machine every day. And you don’t want your tech’s number on speed dial just to get through the week.”
When a machine becomes unreliable, the ripple effect touches everything. Production schedules start to slide. Staff morale dips as energy shifts to problem-solving instead of building. Customers notice delays. And in a shop where quality is paramount, any compromise in finish or fit is unacceptable.

The decision to come back to HOMAG Australia

By late 2024, the situation was clear: Artek needed equipment that could keep pace with its workload and deliver consistent, high-quality results. Prior experience with HOMAG’s equipment hadn’t left them guessing. They knew the performance standards, and they understood the support network behind the machine.
In early 2025, Artek invested in a HOMAG EDGETEQ S-380. This model is built for high demands with sturdy construction, modern control systems, and capabilities that fit both heavy commercial work and fine-detail projects. The choice to return to HOMAG wasn’t just a matter of brand loyalty. It was about performance. Reliability. Confidence that production wouldn’t get derailed.

The first months with the EDGETEQ S-380

Feedback from Artek after bringing the EDGETEQ S-380 online has been decisive. The machine performs. The issues that plagued their previous edge bander have vanished. In conversation with Wynand, Artek’s view was refreshingly straightforward: “Don’t have to baby a machine anymore. No need to have a tech on speed dial.”
That simple statement carries weight. In their shop, it means:

• Jobs move through edge banding without stoppages.
• Staff can focus on craftsmanship instead of machinery breakdowns.
• Customers get their orders on or ahead of schedule.

Why reliability matters in custom joinery

Reliability in industrial equipment isn’t an abstract virtue; it’s a practical necessity. In Artek’s business, every project has a chain of dependencies. If panels aren’t properly edged on time, the next phase like assembly, fitting, installation gets pushed back. Multiply that across several projects and the disruption is costly. Having the EDGETEQ S-380 in place means planning schedules with certainty. Staff and resources can be allocated more efficiently. Customers see consistent delivery, strengthening trust in the brand. And the workshop atmosphere changes when tools work, stress drops. Productivity rises.

Artek’s operations today

With the EDGETEQ S-380 now a core part of their production line, Artek’s workshop flow has returned to its rhythm. CAD designs translate to cutting. Panels move to edging without waiting for service visits. The edge finish is clean, tight, and durable, meeting both aesthetic and functional standards.
Clients don’t see the machinery, but they feel its impact. Projects are finished as promised, sometimes ahead of deadline. That shows Artek’s standing as a shop where design aspirations are backed by delivery discipline.

HOMAG Australia’s role in the result

From reliable performance to workshop frustration, and finally back to consistent quality, Artek’s experience underscores the value of the right partnership. With HOMAG Australia’s solutions back in their production line, the work once again meets the high standard they’ve built their name on.
Because Artek Joinery’s return to HOMAG equipment wasn’t about nostalgia. It was a decision made on performance, dependability, and fit-for-purpose engineering. The consistent, trouble-free operation they’ve experienced since installing the EDGETEQ S 380 is no accident. It comes directly from the machine’s build quality and thoughtful design.
The EDGETEQ S 380 isn’t just “an edge bander”. It’s a production tool that addresses the everyday realities of a busy joinery workshop:

• Structural stability: A rigid, heavy-duty frame that holds alignment under high-volume runs, eliminating vibration-related inaccuracies.
• Precise glue systems: Rapid pre melting and tight temperature control for uniform glue application, ensuring strong, clean adhesion.
• Adaptive roller pressure: Multi roller configurations that adjust to different materials and thicknesses, important for shops handling laminate one day and veneer the next.
• Accurate trimming and finishing: High speed trimming units, scraping tools, and buffing stations that produce a final edge fit for high visibility installations.
• Operator-friendly controls: An intuitive interface with recallable presets, cutting changeover time and simplifying training.
• Maintenance access: Logical layout and modular components that make upkeep straightforward and put more control in the hands of the workshop team.

For Artek, returning to HOMAG meant returning to reliability. And in the world of high-end custom joinery, reliability is the quiet force behind every successful project.