Reflections

27 January 1999



Times are changing. The Cherry Tree company has a new name and, whilst reflecting on past successes, is looking forward to a new and positive future.


Lancashire is renowned for its traditions and often reflects back to by-gone days. You only have to walk into some of the “modern” oak beamed bars and restaurants, to see black and white pictures of mill workers, trams and old shopping arcades; or into warehouses crammed with antiquities bearing reference to the famous “Oxo Kids” through to weavers’ shuttles and miners lamps.

But, from the old comes the new. The claim from an older and well-respected generation, “they don’t make them like they used to do”—a reference to craftsmanship and quality—is often very true.

Depending on how you view things, comparisons between the past and the future can be so different. Do you look back with pleasant memories of the “tyrant of a mill owner”, or miss the comradeship of a labour intensive workforce; or reflect back to the quality and craftsman-like finish achieved by painstaking dedication and attention paid to completing a product? Like many other things, times have changed. “Human resources” have got more protection and rights. Labour intensive operations have been replaced by modern technology and robotics; machines can repetitively provide consistent quality and finish over and over again. They eliminate human error and operate at a fraction of the time and cost of a person.

However you view things, in order to compete in today’s markets you have to move with the times.

Established in 1870, Cherry Tree has a history to be proud of. It once made castings from its own foundry; making tools and saws, contributing towards the war efforts. It has experienced floods and fires; whilst establishing an international reputation for manufacturing of laundry and textile processing equipment. In its hayday it employed over two hundred people.

Kirk Forrest, managing director, said: “We are proud to reflect back on the past, but needed to move on. In the last 18 months the company has suffered from internal turmoil and, as a consequence, changes had to be made and were long overdue; resulting in possible market apprehension and a totally restructured organisation.

“With the new name of Cherry Tree Machines Ltd, the company no longer manufactures laundry and textile processing machines per se for many reasons, which will be apparent to those involved in engineering. For nearly forty years, Cherry Tree has had a successful alliance with American market leader G A Braun, manufacturing under licence Braun washer-extractors for the European market. Since then, thousands of machines have been supplied to commercial enterprises, hospitals and laundries throughout the world—and the knowledge and experience accrued on those installations is still offered by Cherry Tree today.

“One of the problems of such a major company overhaul has been the understandable concern of employees to accept change, whilst external forces tried desperately to undermine our position in the market. But now with an enthusiastic sales and service company, we have a future that is already starting to be accepted in the market.

“With a reticence to changeover and importing of Braun washer-extractors, which are virtually identical to the ones previously manufactured by Cherry Tree under licence, I decided to send a number of our sales engineers over to the States to find out all about the Braun products.

One of the sales team who had the opportunity to visit G A Braun was Alan Clements. Mr Clements served his engineering apprenticeship at Cherry Tree, back in 1976, and has experience stretching from the drawing board to hands-on manufacturing operations.

Mr Clements enthusiastically commented on his return: “The machines are virtually identical and the myth banded about imperial and metric problems is obviously an over exaggerated marketing ploy to sell Braun machines down. They are just as solid as Cherry Tree machines, and built to withstand the heavy duty continuous operations of laundries that demand product reliability.” Mr Clements said: “As an engineer, I was keen to strip the machines down in discussion, looking for anticipated problems, but was more than pleased by the outcome. It was an eye opener when we found out that some of the serviceable parts were of European origin, such as bearings which are metric in size; whilst dryer PLC controls are supplied by a well-established international source.” The range of machines offers additional standard and optional features—from variable wash and balance speeds, through to single motor inverter drive—that result in lower maintenance and flexibility of operations.

The new OP125C3 will shortly be introduced to the market—an 800lb open pocket washer-extractor, primarily designed for the processing of dust control mats and currently under-going final on-site trials. Cherry Tree has also introduced the OP550 model open pocket washer-extractor, a new size to its current range and optionally available with a stonewash/denim processing package.

A large capacity, 800lb robust stone tumbler is another option for denim processing. This has a variable speed drive of 20-240 rpm and tilt action for ease of loading and unloading.

The proven and established Braun-Norman dryers continue to be supplied and serviced by Cherry Tree. These range from 200/250lb through to large 700lb capacity machines and incorporate modern control technologies and energy saving devices. With removeable panels the machines are easy to maintain and clean, and there is the option of different inner cage coatings. Machines can be supplied in pass through and non-pass through versions, and for steam or gas operation. The “Fireye” safety feature is fitted to all gas flamed units.

Confidence

The visit put paid to any reservations Cherry Tree management might have had about the Braun product range, engineering and servicing.

With the confidence of a comprehensive spares stock of over 4000 part types, the company felt it could get on with the job of satisfying the needs of UK customers in the laundry and textile processing industry.

In the short period of time since its cessation of manufacturing, Cherry Tree has successfully installed four Braun BUW 300 machines on board a new cruise liner belonging to P&O. It has also supplied and installed three 50lb/100lb capacity Tecnitramo high speed washer spin dryers, along with three 50lb/100lb ADS dryers at a textile rental company.

Cherry Tree will continue to be fully involved in the consultancy, planning and design of commercial/industrial laundries and clean room facilities, in addition to textile processing and denim finishing plants; supplying a comprehensive range of quality products.

As for dwelling on the past, Cherry Tree is too busy looking forward to a positive future.



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