Panel & Joinery Production were delighted to accept an invitation from Mirka, a global leader in tools, abrasives, and polishing solutions, to their UK HQ in Milton Keynes to discuss Mirka’s commitment to sustainability and the new tools that have joined its constantly growing product portfolio to meet the demands of the industry.
Clare Hollister said: “This was my first visit to Mirka UK and it was a pleasure to meet Neil Newbrook and the team. It was a great opportunity to find out more about their new product development and continued commitment to the environment and sustainability. Getting hands on experience of their products demonstrated the usability and flexibility of their products and was a great way to end the day.”
The first area that was covered was sustainability, which is a hot-button topic in every sector Mirka works in. Neil Newbrook, business sector manager Wood, explained that Mirka was commited to sustainability, anchored by three key pillars: societal impact, environmental cleanliness and resource efficiency. The pillars cover vast areas but Neil broke them down into manageable chunks.
Neil says, “For environmental cleanliness, we are aiming for a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and are aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. We believe we are on the way to meeting these targets and are always looking into options to help us get there. With resource efficiency, we are talking about the lifecycle of the product and what happens to it when it is ‘finished’. As a business, we want to ensure we get the most out of our products and this is highlighted by the fact that we are looking to have 70% of Mirka’s products recyclable by 2035. This aim is supported by a €25 million circular grain manufacturing plant in Finland, which is scheduled to be operational by December 2025. The site has been designed to sort, clean and prepare incoming recycled materials as well as screen and classify grains for reuse. This will aid in maximising the lifecycle of products and reducing waste both internally and from external sources.
“For societal impact, we are aiming for zero workplace accidents and the provision of dust-free work environments because, as we know, the dust produced can affect the health of employees and be detrimental to jobs being performed in the workshop,” he adds.
We then moved onto talking about tools and this is where things got particularly interesting. When it comes to the development of new tools, the R&D team in Jeppo, Finland is the brain behind the innovation, but Mirka UK’s technical experts are in constant dialogue with customers to understand their needs and requirements. The insights from these conversations are circulated to the R&D team to help them design innovative and versatile tools tailored to industry needs. In 2024, the main product launched for the wood sector is the DEROS RS 600 Rotary Sander. This tool has been designed from the ground up to make easy work of multiple applications from paint removal and furniture restoration to cabinetry, solid surface, and flooring projects. In addition, its lightweight, compact design provides a smooth operation and enhances user comfort and productivity, despite it being a powerful heavy-duty sander. Furthermore, it has Bluetooth connectivity, so when it connects to the myMirka app, users have access to real-time data about the tool and how it is being employed.
When it came to talking about dust-free sanding, Neil introduced the new Mirka® DEXOS 1217 M Class AFC dust extractor. He says, “This extractor is the latest addition to Mirka’s extractor range and it stands out from other extractors on the market in terms of its looks and what it provides the user. This is highlighted by the 1200-watt brushless electric motor that ensures dust is quickly and efficiently removed from surfaces.”
In addition, Neil highlighted the fact it can handle both wet and dry applications and is compatible with multiple tool types, so there is less downtime as tools do not need to be switched from job to job. This leads to increased productivity which is something businesses and users alike are looking for.
Neil also highlighted some of the DEXOS’ USPs. The first is the adjustable automatic filter cleaning capabilities, which ensure consistent suction. The second is an additional power socket on the front which allows the user to operate a second tool to speed up the job, or put their phone on charge while working. The third is a Bluetooth-enabled remote control (sold separately) that is strapped around the dust hose and senses tool vibrations meaning the auto-start function can still be used with cordless or pneumatic tools, and offers the user two operating modes.
Overall, Mirka is prioritising sustainability and innovation at the forefront of its business practices and by doing so, it is embracing environmental responsibility while still producing high-quality tools that meet the needs of the industry in the short, medium and long term.
We cannot wait to see what Mirka is going to do in 2025 and beyond.
