Ryan Butler knows the value of technology and good partnerships. From their early days Ryan and his team at Ryan’s Kitchens and Joinery (RKJ) in Christchurch have relied on Biesse technology. Continuing their quest for excellence, RKJ recently installed their latest edge banding machine with the game changing HyFuse Hydrogen laser tape technology.
Ryan’s Kitchens and Joinery is a family owned and operated business located in Christchurch (Ōtautahi), New Zealand. The company was founded by Ryan Butler in early 2009 with help from his father Bill and his sister Leanne. Ryan’s wife Kate joined the team later. Ryan had owned a building company for fifteen years, installing kitchens and joinery built by other suppliers that he thought could have been manufactured better, both in terms of build quality and design.
And so, like so many creative and motivated people seeing an opportunity, Ryan started out in a small garage with some basic woodworking machines. Ryan admits it was a tough market with plenty of competition. “If we decide to do something we’re not afraid, we get the job done,” he said. The business grew steadily and soon they found themselves in a small factory where they installed their first Biesse CNC machine, a Skill nesting machine that gave Ryans Kitchens a huge advantage and over a decade of service.
Overcoming Adversity
In 2010 and 2011 two major earthquakes devastated the city. Overnight, no one wanted a new kitchen and even renovations stopped almost completely. Ryan and his team adapted their business model to meet the needs of the community, removing existing kitchens from badly damaged homes, storing these until the homes could be levelled and repaired, then re-installing the kitchen. Eventually, those houses destroyed completely needed a new kitchen and joinery and Ryans Kitchens and Joinery switched back to their core business, mainly residential properties, and the occasional commercial project.
With steady growth and the company doubling in size every two years or so, a new purpose-built showroom and factory was established seven years ago in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram. The company now employs 16 people, including four highly qualified interior designers and architects, who can advise on the latest ideas and trends which are showcased in their showroom. With a strong emphasis on attention to detail, RKJ offers design, manufacture, and installation to the Canterbury and wider area from their Christchurch base.
Design and Technology
Ryan said, “Keeping up with design trends prevents the job from becoming monotonous, as these trends are constantly evolving. The recycling of old trends through new technology allows us to revisit specialized tasks from the past with fresh methods and products. Our Biesse equipment allows us to achieve these goals seamlessly.” Ryan’s father Bill originally did the research for suitable equipment and together they decided that Biesse was the most cost-effective, well-made, solid machine brand available. RKJ’s recent Biesse technology includes a fully automated Biesse nesting line to cut their sheet materials, and a Biesse Stream A edge banding machine installed late 2023.
RKJ’s edge banding partnership with Biesse goes back a long way. Their initial Akron 1400 using EVA glue was replaced with an Akron 1440 fitted with the Airforce (hot air) system for zero join (laser) edges to ensure their product remained the best on the market. That machine was upgraded to the new Biesse Stream A Smart, fitted with the revolutionary HyFuse Hydrogen laser tape technology and is used to edge every panel they produce. HyFuse is a game-changing product supplied in New Zealand by HPTech and is distributed and supported exclusively in Australia by Biesse. HyFuse offers manufacturers a further option in high quality edge banding.
HyFuse, A Turning Point
“The transition from Airforce to HyFuse has been a significant turning point for us,” Ryan said. “The most apparent changes include a quieter factory environment, no delay for air heating, and the elimination of air cut-outs due to excessive machine usage. HyFuse offers a consistent performance, producing a uniform flame each time. We don’t have any issues resulting from fluctuating temperatures which can vary based on the factory’s ambient temperature or the machine’s operational duration. We’ve had excellent communication with our supplier including regular phone check-ins and in-person meetings. I have no plans to switch to a different method in the foreseeable future.”
Ryan continues, “Our experience with owning two Biesse CNC machines and three edge banders has been very positive, as they have proven to be reliable and perfectly suited for our needs. The reasons for our long-term commitment to these machines are their user-friendly nature, the high-quality output they produce, and the exceptional support from the technicians who are always willing and eager to provide instruction when necessary. While no machine is flawless and occasional faults do occur, Biesse’s service team has consistently shown their commitment to resolving these issues promptly and effectively.”
Partnerships are important to Ryan and RKJ. Key representatives from board, tape, and hardware suppliers have consistently provided their advice and support. Through these interactions, RKJ forged numerous valuable friendships and amassed a wealth of knowledge from across the industry. In particular, Ryan singles out Biesse and says, “From day one, Biesse have been right behind us. Their service is very good and always prompt, Biesse have been fantastic for us.”
Ryan has grown the company to where it is today. They are proud to have built a strong reputation within the industry through repeat business and referrals. He said, “We pride ourselves in maintaining high levels of quality kitchens and joinery at competitive prices and we achieve this with our use of Biesse equipment. We are unafraid of change and we’re never complacent. Our company is always eager to innovate and experiment with different strategies to meet client objectives and distinguish ourselves from competitors.”
Ryan continues, “We prioritize customer satisfaction and strive to be approachable and cooperative. Our team, characterized by harmony and openness to new ideas, is truly exceptional. The company’s uniqueness, the growth we’ve achieved over the years, and the unwavering determination of our employees to excel make me immensely proud. We strive to be customer friendly and easy to work with, we have a great team here where everyone gets along and listens to new ideas. The company is one of a kind and I’m proud of the growth we have made over the years and my employees’ determination to do a great job.”
RKJ has no fear of change or being stuck in its ways. They are happy to try new things and experiment with different methods to help achieve client goals and set themselves apart from other businesses. This open-minded approach paved the way for their latest technology, HyFuse laser edging. Ryan said, “Design is a key factor in our sales and our Biesse machines, especially our Stream A Smart with laser edge HyFuse technology is a key element in producing a product of superior quality at a competitive price. It’s definitely a game changer for us.”