Latest Press Releases from Wolf Systems


13/01/2012 - Easi with Wolf Systems - the future is on the horizon with Wolf Systems
Wolf Systems, stand S1554, Ecobuild, London Excel, 20 - 22 March 2012.

At this year’s Ecobuild, Wolf Systems will be launching ground-breaking new software. After eighteen months of development, and using the latest technology, the software delivers new opportunities for manufacturers involved in timber engineering construction.

The new software, which will be demonstrated on the stand throughout the show, utilises Autodesk’s Revit platform and, for the first time, opens up the possibilities of collaborative BIM working for timber frame manufacturers.

Wolf Systems at Ecobuild 2012Wolf Systems will also be exhibiting the company’s easi-joist metal-web product. Originally developed to facilitate the installation of services through the floor zone, Wolf Systems’ easi-joist is now often found employed in place of solid timber studs in the walls to timber frame systems; as well as in both flat and pitched roofing construction.

Both specifiers and building contractors are making increasing use of the engineered timber joists offered by Wolf Systems’ manufacturers for a wide variety of applications throughout the building structure.

Such are the spanning and load-bearing benefits of the highly engineered easi-joists – underpinned by the flexible Wolf design software – they can be incorporated into a selection of situations at any angle between the horizontal and vertical. In turn, imposed live or dead loads are supported and optimum performance from minimum material usage is ensured. The easi-joist beam, stud or rafter member also allows the building designer to accommodate increased levels of insulation into the project with ease.

Karl Foster of Wolf Systems comments: “As a metal web beam, easi-joist not only provides ample open area within its overall depth for the routing of pipes, cables and even ductwork, the installer is also provided with a wide flange area. This simplifies the fixing of sheet flooring panels or roof decking and sarking; with the finished assembly offering an extremely solid feel.”

Individual beams are now regularly assembled into panel or cassette modules, furthering the offsite potential of easi-joists, while offering a close fit with industry priorities for sustainable, defect-free approaches to construction.

All Wolf Systems’ products – which range from nailplates for trussed rafters, easi-joist metal-webs for its metal-web joist systems through to its structural design and management software – are developed, manufactured and supported in the UK.

02/11/2011 - Wolf appoints Sarah french as Horizon Co-ordinator
Sarah French - Horizon Co-ordinatorLeading timber engineering specialist, Wolf Systems, has appointed Sarah French as technical sales engineer for the company’s new Horizon software.

As Horizon Co-ordinator, Sarah will work with customers to tailor Horizon’s 3D modelling capabilities to their timber frame design requirements.

Based on Autodesk’s leading Revit Structure platform, Horizon enables timber frame designers to construct complete projects in a single software environment. Its powerful collaborative interface makes it an ideal component of any building information modelling (BIM) system.

With a degree in engineering from Coventry University and more than 15 years’ experience in the construction industry, Sarah has in-depth knowledge of CAD systems and building design requirements.

“Sarah’s specific experience in timber frame and her comprehensive CAD qualifications make her the ideal candidate to introduce Horizon to our customers” comments Wolf’s sales and marketing director, Karl Foster.

09/09/2011 - New World Timber Frame chooses Wolf Systems
New World Timber Frame, which offers timber frame building solutions for residential and commercial markets, has chosen Wolf Systems as its sole supplier of nailplates and design software for a new venture in trussed rafter fabrication.
New World Timber choose Wolf Systems
The Essex-based timber frame manufacturer has recently developed its business by investing in trussed rafter machinery. This enables New World Timber Frame to control every aspect of its timber frame build and opens the supply chain to the masonry market.

Jason Aldous, Business Development Manager at New World Timber Frame comments, “After looking at a couple of other system holders, we decided that the Wolf software would best suit our business. The whole service offered by Wolf Systems and their team ticked all the boxes that we require to take our business forward.”


06/09/2011 - The future of timber frame is on the horizon
With the Government’s chief construction advisor, Paul Morrell, demanding the adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) on all public sector projects within five years, design engineers will be pleased to hear that Wolf Systems has just what they need.

Wolf’s new Horizon software is the UK’s first timber frame detailing tool built on Autodesk’s leading Revit Structure platform. It allows 3D modelling of construction projects making it a prime component of collaborative BIM in building design.

Horizon brings Building Information Modelling (BIM) to the fingertips of timber frame designers equipping them with specialised tools to enable the delivery of high quality 3D model-based information from concept through to construction.

Timber Frame on the HorizonThe passage of building information between the principal players in building design is facilitated through Revit’s powerful collaborative interface. Built on Revit technology, Horizon ensures timber frame designers can construct complete projects in a single environment.

“Being object-based, Horizon enables timber engineers to render their designs using intelligent 3D objects to represent real physical building components such as wall panels, doors and roof trusses” explains Karl Foster, sales and marketing director with Wolf Systems.

In addition, the system’s database records and integrates information about design and construction at every stage in the building programme from concept, through construction, to completion. BIM allows complete integration of the building design process by creating a single model upon which all detailed designs are superimposed. Hence, incompatibilities and potential clashes between building elements can be automatically detected at the earliest opportunity.

Modifications to the design of individual components are automatically integrated into the building model and the consequences of any changes are immediately apparent. The real-time database ensures that all designers on the project are always working from the most up-to-date version of the building model.

As an Autodesk developer, Wolf Systems develops applications for Autodesk software systems. Horizon is the result of almost two years of research and development and was developed as a specialist application for Revit 2012, the latest generation of BIM.

“Horizon is the first timber frame detailing software to be built on the Revit 2012 structure” says Karl. “It’s generally accepted that Revit is the future for building design and we believe that Horizon represents the way ahead for the timber frame industry” he adds.

21/06/2011 - Smartroof demonstrates flexibilty on multi-unit Barratt site
Wolf Systems’ revolutionary smartroof interlocking roof panel system has been employed in no fewer than 39 new houses on a Barratt Homes development in Leicestershire.

Stephensons Place is a new scheme situated in rural Coalville, north-west Leicestershire, on the site of the old Stephensons College.

Comprising a mix of two-bedroom flats and 3- and 4- bed houses, Stephensons place is a flagship development by Barratt Homes for both first time buyers and families seeking larger executive homes.

The central feature is a sweeping crescent of four-bedroom, three-storey properties designed to lend a Georgian feel to the development. The crescent consists of 16 of Barratt’s three-storey “Heddington” terraced houses which make use of smartroof’s unique self supporting design to create a clear roofspace in which to create the master bedroom.

smartroof flexible on multi-unit Barratt siteBarratt Homes used the smartroof system successfully at Stephensons Place as an alternative to attic trusses or the traditional steel purlin system.

The system has enabled Barratt Homes to accelerate the construction process and start the internal works earlier due to the property being made watertight; this is down to the use of smartroof.

The panels were supplied by smartroof manufacturer, Harlow Timber Systems, whose factory is only approximately 3 miles from the Coalville site.

“In total there are three house designs on the site which use smartroof” says Harlow Timber Systems’ Managing Director, David Stockill. “In addition to the 16 ‘Heddingtons’, there are also two ‘Woodcote’ designs, which are semi-detached, located at the end of the crescent. Then there are ‘Norbury’ homes which are three-bed, three-storey semi-detached designs”, he explains.

Smartroof is a modular, self-supporting panel system which spans from gable end to gable end thus giving clear spans and maximising usable room in the roof. The crescent at Stephensons Place demonstrates the flexibility of the system by applying it to a large, curved building.
“The crescent curves through almost 180 degrees and the roofline follows a smooth continuous line” says David. “The effect is superb”.


13/05/2011 - Enterprise makes life easy for timber engineering industry
Today, the need for accurate, up-to-date information in all industries is paramount. Manufacturers and suppliers need to respond in days, or even hours, to their customers’ requirements; and they need to have this information at their fingertips.

Recognising the need for speed and efficiency, Wolf Systems has launched a new software package called Enterprise – a management system with an unprecedented degree of functionality - specifically for manufacturers of trussed rafter and metal-web joists.

Although developed from WMS, Wolf’s existing management software package, the new product is very different.

Wolf Systems has developed a series of management systems over the past 23 years - first WolfBase, then WolfPro, WolfTrack and, of course, WMS - while at the same time producing structural design packages for roofs, floors and walls.

Enterprise continues this evolution and takes management software to a new level. All of the stages that are crucial to a business are replicated within the system, from the initial enquiry stage, through to quoting for a scheme and the associated price and product negotiations. Orders can be created and call-offs planned allowing production and deliveries to be scheduled and invoices created.

Enterprise makes life easy for timber engineering industry Useful for the estimator and designer alike, it is also of real importance for the management of the business. The data logging in Enterprise is so comprehensive that any aspect of business-critical information can be reported upon; for example, the number and level of quotes in process, their status and when they need to be followed up and by whom. It’s information such as it is that is most useful to manufacturers as it is this that helps them become more efficient and, ultimately, more successful.

Existing WMS users provided Wolf with feedback on areas such as flexibility and the ability to make last-minute changes. For trussed rafter manufacturers, the ability to make eleventh-hour adjustments is invaluable as it is common to find that a customer order does not match what they’ve quoted. For example, a roof or floor design prepared and accepted by the customer is logged into the management system and scheduled for production and delivery. But very often when the building is measured to confirm the sizes, usually just before manufacture, a small change can occur necessitating a redesign of the whole job. Previously, this could have taken some time but with the improvements now made to Enterprise, a manufacturer can make any change at any stage.

It also helps that Wolf uses the software internally; by adopting the “own brand” software, the company really drives the development process forward.

Another aspect of the WMS software is the improvement in the speed of producing quotations. Customers work to much tighter timescales than in the past while at the same time receiving more enquiries as contractors shop around for the best price.

The improvements to the speed and efficiency of the package have been delivered by “caching” a lot of the information a user would regularly need. Despite improvements to network structures, the process of passing information to and from a central server can be a time-consuming one, so storing this information locally allows the user the best of both worlds - a networked management application running at desktop speeds.

Enterprise also offers far more flexibility in the scheduling of production and deliveries.

22/03/2011 - Wolf Systems - developed, manufactured and supported in the UK.
In today’s housebuilding and construction market, with narrowing margins and ever-shorter lead times, developers need to know they can rely on quick and reliable service from their suppliers.

When it comes to timber engineering, few companies can offer the level of service boasted by Wolf Systems Ltd.

Wolf Systems - developed, manufactured and supported in the UK!This is because all of Wolf’s products – which range from nailplates for trussed rafters, easi-joist metal-webs for its metal-web joist systems through to its structural design and management software are developed, manufactured and supported in the UK.

“While the Wolf Systems group is active in all types of construction across Europe, in the UK, we are concentrating on developing and supporting new products for our particular market so our products are tailored to our customers’ specific needs, both technically and in terms of delivery and service”, explains Karl Foster, sales and marketing director of Wolf Systems.

Wolf Systems’ easi-joist metal-web joist is the perfect example of such an innovation in the UK. Developed eight years ago, this product took the concept and tailored it to meet the needs of UK manufacturers. “Extensive development and testing took place over this time and now easi-joist has the best performance of any metal-web system on the market today”, says Karl.

Wolf Systems’ software products are also entirely homegrown. “All our design and management software is developed by our programming and development team here in Coventry” says Karl. “This means we can respond far more quickly than our competitors to tailor our software packages to meet the needs of the UK and Irish markets. Customer feedback plays an important role in R&D through the company’s Software Focus Groups. Our software is designed for UK users in partnership with UK users”, he says.

“For customers in today’s difficult market conditions, responsiveness is key”, says Karl. "And this means being able to deliver quickly and at short notice. The market’s changed a lot in the past couple of years. Our manufacturers are having to work to much shorter lead times than they would have before in order to convert an enquiry to an order. It’s important that we can respond to this and provide the level of service the market now demands."

“We can only do this because our whole operation is UK-based and geared up to serve this specific market” he says.


25/02/2011 - Strength gained by 50%!
The unique edge detail of Wolf Systems’ new Field Splice Plate delivers 50% more strength than conventional nail plates, offering truss manufacturers significant material cost savings and the ability to produce truss configurations not achievable with existing products.

Strength gained by 50%!Hailed as the first major advance in nail plate design since the concept was developed in the 1960s, the new FSPX Splice Plate is the result of substantial investment in design, machine tooling and testing by the company.

The key to the product’s high strength is a rolled and folded edge which doubles the effective thickness of the steel pressing from 1.25 to 2.5 mm.

This feature, which is unique to Wolf Systems, positions the bulk of the metal where most of the load is concentrated, dramatically increasing the plate’s rigidity and resistance to bending forces.

The FSPX is offered in three sizes – 140mm, 170mm and 185mm depth – to suit 172mm, 197mm and 222mm deep rafters. The increase in strength means that, unlike manufacturers using rival systems, Wolf manufacturers can now use smaller plate sizes and make cost savings while manufacturing larger, more efficient truss designs.

Another benefit of the new design is that its splice rate reduces the risk of tension failure, again without any extra cost to the user.

Karl Foster of Wolf Systems says: “The revolutionary design of the new FSPX with its rolled and folded edge ensures that maximum performance is obtained in the area of the plate where it is required most but without increasing material cost over the whole area. “The FSPX will help Wolf manufacturers grow their market share, particularly for attic trusses which are becoming increasingly popular as housebuilders look to offer purchasers more habitable space” adds Karl.


  26/01/2011 - Stevenson & Kelly streamlines with Wolf Management System.
Wolf Systems’ new management software, WMS is helping Airdrie-based timber roof truss manufacturer Stevenson & Kelly streamline production and maximise efficiency.

WMS is a fully-integrated system that brings together all the key functionality required by a modern timber engineering business. The system is used for both design and management; creating databases for quotations and orders, planning of production, deliveries and allocating resources, business reporting, analysis and cost monitoring.

It is believed this is the first system of its kind in which all of these functions can exist within one application.

Stevenson & Kelly streamlines with WMSDanny Clark, director of Stevenson & Kelly, says that the systems’ ability to manage all stages of the production process helps cut wastage and improve efficiency.

“Having everything under one system makes life a lot easier” he says. “The whole process becomes transparent with WMS – it totally streamlines the business.”

Stevenson & Kelly introduced WMS in October 2009 following the system’s commercial launch earlier that year. Already a Wolf Systems customer, the company, leapt at the chance of upgrading from its existing systems.

“We’d been using Wolfwin, Wolf Systems’ truss design software alongside WolfPro management software before switching to WMS” says Danny. “These systems worked very well but we could see that WMS would take us a step further.”

“The new system allows us to follow the whole process through from enquiry to invoice. It’s so much simpler,” he adds.

The switch from two separate software packages to WMS went without a hitch adds Danny: “It’s very easy to use. Wolf Systems provided us with a couple of days’ training and that was it. The Wolf guys were always at the end of the phone if we had any problems but actually it was fine. Within a month, we were totally familiar with it.”


  21/01/2011 - New factory opens for smartroof.
Rising demand for Wolf Systems’ revolutionary smartroof roof construction system has enabled manufacturer, Harlow Timber Engineering, to start production at a new purpose-built factory in Kettering, Northants.

Harlow Timber Systems, which is headquartered in Bardon, Leicestershire, built the new factory in 2008 in order to serve housebuilders working in the northern home counties region. The Kettering plant was originally intended to produce Harlow’s core product: trussed rafters.

New factory opens for smartroof.Unfortunately, the downturn in housebuilding in recent years forced Harlow’s to dramatically rethink its plans for the new factory. “With such a steep decline in housebuilding; we were forced to simply lock the doors of the new Kettering factory, until demand returned to a more reasonable level” said David Stockill, Managing Director of Harlow Timber Systems.

When business levels improved and demand increased, David noticed that panel roofing systems were often being specified in place of more traditional roofing methods. So Harlow Timber Systems took the initiative in becoming a smartroof manufacturer and licensee. “smartroof really works for us” says David. “It’s a revolutionary roof panel system that’s been developed by our existing supplier, Wolf Systems. Our designers can use the same software package to design a traditional trussed roof, or a smartroof depending upon what the customer wants!

“Initially we were manufacturing smartroof at our Bardon plant alongside our core products, trussed rafters. Now that demand for smartroof has increased to such an extent we’ve been able to open the Kettering factory to exclusively produce smartroof for our customers.”

Smartroof is a complete eco-friendly structural timber insulated panel system which not only creates instant room space but also more of it. The panels, each up to 6m in length, are self-supporting and even do away with the need for masonry gable ends.



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