“In March I attended my first Joinery Network event hosted by Teknos UK in Bicester. My thanks to the TJN team for the invite and a thoroughly enjoyable and informative day led by a team who are passionate about passing on their extensive experience and knowledge. In an exclusive PJP interview with Andy Ball, Luke Piper and Ben Mitchell we delved into the background and aims of The Joinery Network.” Clare Hollister, Editor Panel & Joinery Production
How Lignum Systems is Helping Joiners Compete and Thrive
For years, consistency and certification have been standard in the PVC window market — but timber joinery often struggled to keep pace. Recognizing the gap Luke Piper and Andy Ball came up with the concept of The Joinery Network and its trade mark Lignum Systems to level the playing field.
“In PVC, about 95% of windows you buy are fully tested and meet all building regulations. But in timber, unless you’re buying from big firms, you could be getting products made with outdated tools and practices that simply don’t comply,” explains Andy Ball.
To solve this, The Joinery Network developed Lignum a fully certified, tested system for timber window and door manufacturing. They then developed training courses for joiners at an affordable rate which means on completion they are licensed and can produce under the Lignum name — ensuring quality, compliance, and consistency within the trade.
Affordable Certification and Training
One of the biggest hurdles for independent joinery firms is the cost and complexity of certification. Testing one window design alone can cost £40,000, with no guarantees of passing. “If you want to set up your own certified system, you’re looking at £150,000–£200,000 — assuming you even have the technical knowledge,” says Andy.
By contrast, joining the Lignum network is designed to be affordable. Licensing costs are reasonable, and training is structured around the needs of each joiner. “It’s typically about a day per product,” Andy explains. “But beyond just making the window, our trainers look at factory layout, workflows, spraying processes — all to boost efficiency and profitability.”
Former joinery owner Owen Dare leads much of the training, with growing support from affiliated technical experts. The team help businesses modernize their setups and improve throughput, often recommending cost-effective upgrades like modern spindle moulders that pay for themselves within a year.
Low-Skill, High-Quality Manufacturing
One key Lignum principle is designing for ease of use. “We created a low-skill system — not because skills aren’t important, but because removing unnecessary complexity helps ensure consistency,” explains Ben, another key figure at Lignum.
Investment vs. Return
Though investing in new tooling can sound daunting, Ben frames it practically: “£30,000 might sound like a lot, but when you compare it to the cost of a skilled joiner — factoring in holidays, sick leave, and training — it quickly becomes clear the machinery offers much better value over time.”
For small operations, spindle moulders and Lignum tooling can start from around £13,000. For larger workshops, full CNC or window lines range between £40,000–£50,000 — still a fraction of the cost compared to aluminium or PVC production lines, which often require investments north of £500,000.
Grants like the “Made Smarter” program can help further, offering match funding up to £20,000 for machinery purchases involving a digital element.
Timber Windows: Growing Market, Growing Opportunity
Consumer interest in timber is surging. Google searches for “timber windows” and “timber doors” have risen 50% year-on-year for the past three years. Sustainability is a major driver, as customers seek natural, renewable materials over plastics or metals.
According to Lignum, timber windows now offer the best combination of profitability, entry cost, and sustainability in the window and door sector — with strong support from initiatives like Secured by Design, the police-backed security certification.
A Growing Network with Big Ambitions
Today, Lignum has a network of around 50 licensed joinery companies across the UK, able to manufacture consistently high-quality certified products. This allows smaller companies to take on bigger projects — even full housing developments — by collaborating within the network.
“We’re giving smaller joiners the tools to compete with big firms, and to keep British manufacturing strong,” Andy says. “There’s £120 million worth of imported timber windows coming into the UK every year. We want to bring that business back home.”
Looking Ahead
Government and industry bodies are beginning to take notice of Lignum’s work. Stronger commitments to sustainability and homegrown manufacturing are opening new doors. Collaborations with organizations like Secured by Design and Timber Development UK are helping to build credibility.
While the team is growing organically, their vision is bold: “We want to build the biggest network of certified timber window manufacturers in the UK,” Ben says. “But it’s not just about size. It’s about giving businesses — and the industry — the right tools to thrive.”
