UV coating for wooden paneling

A manufacturer of wood paneling for indoor and outdoor use relies on a UV coating system to achieve high-quality results. The wood coating also enables efficient production processes with a high degree of automation.

Lüchinger Holz AG in Mels (canton of St. Gallen) is one of the leading planing mills in Switzerland. In addition to all types of planed products, the family business also produces laminated paneling and panelling for indoor and outdoor use. The team led by owners Patrick and Marc Lüchinger relies on efficient production processes with a high degree of automation - and on the high-quality Pigmolux UV coating system from Austrian manufacturer Adler.

"Progress is the continuation of tradition": this quote from the German philosopher Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker could be used as a motto for the company history of Lüchinger Holz AG. Since its foundation more than 100 years ago, the company has focused on processing and refining wood, a material steeped in tradition. Progress has always been a key requirement: "It has always been important to us to keep up to date - whether in production or logistics, in the vehicle fleet or in our systems," explains Patrick Lüchinger, who is the fourth generation to run the family business together with his brother Marc. Ten years ago, a unique coating and drying system for wooden formwork for outdoor use was put into operation in the planing plant: "The freshly coated boards are stacked on trolleys and then transported to a drying area on the upper floor. There, the trolleys are kept in constant motion by a conveyor system to ensure optimum air exchange. This allows us to dry the entire day's production overnight."

For paneling (wainscoting) in interior and exterior areas that are not directly exposed to the weather, Lüchinger relies on the UV-curing Pigmolux coating system from the Austrian paint manufacturer and wood protection expert Adler: On a fully automated coating line, the wainscoting is first pre-sanded and then primed with Adler Innolux roller primer. After curing in the UV channel and another intermediate sanding, the elements are sprayed with Adler Pigmolux S topcoat. After drying at 40 degrees and subsequent UV curing, the finished panels leave the coating plant after around 45 minutes and can be loaded onto the truck immediately.

However, the efficient coating process was just one of several reasons for Lüchinger to place his trust in Adler's coating system. Patrick Lüchinger is also completely satisfied with the surface quality: "We used to work with a product from another manufacturer. When we switched to Adler, it was important to us that no difference in color is visible to our customers. To achieve this, the team at Swiss company Adler-Lack AG selected six standard colors especially for us." In addition, Adler's coating structure impresses with its performance and flawless finish: Innolux Walzgrund ensures high permanent elasticity, insulation and filling power - "the knot penetration is zero and the perfect filling power means we achieve a surface like a piece of furniture," says Lüchinger - and the top coat is equipped with effective light protection that prevents the wood from yellowing.

Ultimately, however, the decisive factor for Lüchinger's cooperation with Adler was the fast and personal service provided by the team at the Adler service center in Tuggen near Zurich: "For an efficient production process, it is essential to be able to react quickly if something goes wrong," says Lüchinger. In Adler customer advisor Ali Yoksul, he has found the right person for the job: "If a problem arises somewhere, I know that I can call Ali at any time and he will be at my premises the next day to work on a solution." In addition, there is reliable 24-hour delivery, as the material can be tinted on site at the Adler service base in Tuggen and delivered immediately. Samples on original material are also produced there - in any desired shade, in different textures and gloss levels. Product quality, process reliability and service come together to form an overall package that meets the high standards of Patrick and Marc Lüchinger: "We want to work with partners we can trust. With the family business Adler, our contact Ali Yoksul and the Adler team in Tuggen, this trust is there - that is the basis for a successful future together." (OM-11/23)