O.H.M – Objekteinrichtungen in Holz und Metall GmbH, based in Kirchlengern, is a high-performance and very flexible shopfitter with a very high degree of vertical integration. The company covers all areas from a single source, from the initial concept and planning to elaborate presentations and final production. In addition to its modernly equipped joinery, O.H.M also has a high-performance metalworking shop.
Thus, the company covers the entire process chain completely in-house and has established itself in the market as a very reliable, flexible, and absolutely punctual partner for custom shop interiors. One of O.H.M's core businesses is the planning and implementation of Edeka supermarkets, which are typically operated by independent entrepreneurs.
The company was founded in 2005. The managing partner is Heike Radig. Together with Maik Südhölter (48), Managing Director and Master Carpenter, she guides the company's fortunes. O.H.M currently employs 45 people, including two apprentice joiners and a trainee product designer.
Around 20 employees work in the joinery and six in the metalworking shop. In addition, there are the design, sales and technology, production planning, and administration departments.
Customers know exactly what they are getting
Maik Südhölter tells me that he and his team place the greatest value on a perfect presentation of projects to the customer. "Our customers know precisely and down to the last detail what they have and what they are getting. We bring the custom supermarket to life with VR goggles."
In this context, O.H.M has been relying on the 3D CAD software Pytha for about ten years now. Südhölter: "The combination of design and presentation is simply a perfect fit for us." Today, eight employees work in the design department. Another colleague focuses exclusively on the elaborate customer presentations, supported by the aspiring product designer. Maik Südhölter knows that a perfect presentation is almost always the key to winning the contract, because no details are left unclarified or undiscussed.
In 2007, during a production relocation, a completely new set of machinery was needed. Maik Südhölter found the right partners for O.H.M in the specialists at the Felder branch in Greven. Together, they defined a complete setup. This consisted of the usual standard machines (sliding table saw, spindle moulder, planer, etc.) as well as a compact edgebanding machine. Südhölter greatly appreciates the very open and pragmatic exchange he has had with the Felder team ever since.
Evolving into a high-performance panel processor
The range of machinery grew gradually. A beam saw was added in 2010, and today the third Format-4 CNC machining center is in operation at O.H.M. The company focuses almost exclusively on panel processing. Maik Südhölter: "We process a wide variety of panel materials and also laminate many panels ourselves with HPL. In our production, we process a solid 40 to 50 half-size panels on some days. Accordingly, many linear meters of edges must be banded daily with absolute process reliability and be fit for the extremely tough daily grind of a supermarket."
New edgebanding machine with return system
At O.H.M, edgebanding technology is a true key technology. Around 80,000 to 100,000 linear meters are processed per year. For a few months now, the shopfitter has been using a latest-generation Tempora 60.12 E-Motion with complete processing capabilities. The machine has an automated PUR feed system on board.
Together with the U-Motion Classic part return system, the Tempora is optimized for high performance in single-person operation. The return system works without a turning function for the parts. Felder cites as an advantage that the workpieces are lifted by transport belts at the machine outfeed and are then gently placed back onto the return conveyor. Other manufacturers use solutions where workpieces sometimes slide uncontrollably onto the return conveyor. The system can process parts with dimensions of 1300 x 1300 mm on four sides and, at the special request of O.H.M, also features an additional, controlled roller track as an optional extra to better and safely support larger parts. The fully controlled Tempora is operated—with graphical support—via the SmarTouch control system on the generously sized 21" screen.
Powerful specifications for high performance
The Tempora 60.12 E-Motion offers two feed speeds (12 and 20 m/min), including automatic lubrication. The pneumatic infeed stop ensures high process reliability. The workpiece infeed is gentle on surfaces, using two air cushion tables at the front of the machine. A long infeed fence supports the operator. A pre-milling unit (4.4 kW), equipped with diamond cutters including interchangeable blades, ensures processing precision. Workpiece thicknesses of up to 60 mm are possible. The gluing unit has a cleaning function for the glue roller. Also on board is a PUR bag melter for 2 kg adhesive cartridges. The nesting package on the top and bottom trimming and scraping unit allows for the processing of workpieces with holes, grooves, or acute angles. The two-motor corner rounding unit operates with high precision at feed speeds of up to 20 m/min. The complete processing is rounded off by the finishing unit with a radius and flat scraper, as well as the buffing unit. Through the targeted application of release, lubricant, and polishing agents, which are applied via spraying units, the parts exit the machine very clean and with a perfect finish.
A lot achieved, and a lot still to come
When asked about upcoming projects, Maik Südhölter tells me that he and his team are currently working on organizing production to be largely paperless. A first prototype tablet is already in use for testing purposes. In addition, a comprehensive webshop is currently being created for the dynamic shopfitter's valued customers.
