Background
Our client is a large manufacturer based in the South of England, specialising in premium interior joinery for the superyacht industry. Their work sits at the demanding intersection of craft and industry: every component they produce must meet the exacting finish standards expected aboard some of the world’s finest vessels.
High-gloss, high-build surfaces are a defining feature of their output and maintaining consistent quality, across high volumes and to tight project timelines, is central to how they operate.
The Challenge
For many years, the client had relied on a traditional polyester finishing system to achieve the high-build, high-gloss results their customers expect. The finish quality itself was not in question. But the process required to achieve it was creating significant operational drag.
Polyester products demanded extensive sanding and polishing at every stage, placing considerable pressure on the finishing department in terms of labour, time and materials. The short pot life of polyester also introduced unpredictability into the workflow. Blocked spray guns, material wastage and unplanned downtime were recurring frustrations.
The client knew their system worked. What they needed was one that worked better.
The Solution
Redwood UK carried out an in-depth review of the client’s existing finishing process before recommending a complete high-build system built around three core components:
- A high-build primer system
- Primer palette technology
- The Brilliant Colour high-gloss topcoat system
The Brilliant Colour topcoat replaced the existing polyester system directly, with the specific aim of dramatically reducing polishing time while preserving the premium finish quality the client’s end customers expect.
The process began with a detailed consultation, followed by a formal presentation two weeks later. On-site product trials and structured testing were then carried out to validate the recommended system before any commitment to change.
The Outcome
The new finishing system delivered measurable improvements across the department almost immediately. The headline results speak for themselves:
67% increase in production capacity
75% reduction in abrasive usage and abrasive spend
Beyond the numbers, the transition also reduced downtime from blocked spray guns and the unpredictability that had come with short-pot-life products. Workflow across the finishing department became noticeably more consistent.
The move away from polyester also brought meaningful improvements in workplace safety. The previous system carried carcinogenic warning classifications; the Redwood UK system does not. For the teams working in the finishing department every day, that difference matters.
Interested in reviewing your finishing process?
Get in touch with the Redwood UK team on 023 9223 3310 or email sales@redwood-uk.com to arrange a consultation.