The country's first Kolb production line for making granite worktops has been installed at Montpellier Marble in Cheltenham. The 26m-long German-manufactured line, which was exhibited at the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL London before going into Montpellier's factory, starts with a Bluestar DT-3300/3 bridge saw with a turntable, hydraulic lifting arms and rollers and remote control, goes on to a K4-600 cross cut saw, a drill for tap holes and KBL-2 edge polisher before finishing on a Genius 3000 manual workcentre. The installation also includes Kolb's WRS-15 water recycling plant.

Montpellier believe they will be able to produce at least four worktops a day, complementing their existing business in fireplaces, bathrooms and floors to offer a complete interior stonework service. (To find out more about Montpellier Marble turn to page 32 of this issue of NSS.)

Montpellier Marble have been customers of Combined Masonry Supplies for many years and say they bought the Kolb machinery, following visits to the factory in Germany where it is made and some of the German companies using it, because they valued Richard's advice, were impressed by the quality of the machinery and liked the level of service offered, which includes an extended warranty involving three inspections a year. Michael says they decided on a manual workcentre because it was easy to use and represented the right level of production capability for their business.