For Carlielle Kitchens, that question sits inside a much bigger standard of work.

Carlielle is a business built on a 95% referral rate and a trophy cabinet that speaks for itself. Their 2025 Master Joiners Excellence Awards, including Best Kitchen over $50k, the Premier Award, and Best Cabinetry Project, reflect a level of work where “good enough” doesn’t exist.

General Manager Doug McMiken is clear about the pressure of that reputation. “We do a range of work but our main focus is high-end residential, particularly full home fitouts.”

“Our clients have very high expectations… it is critical that we can consistently edge and finish products at this level.”

Doug McMiken, Carlielle Kitchens

Solving the Veneer Supply Gap

Co-extruded laser edging is often seen as the industry’s gold standard, but New Zealand’s distance from European manufacturing has historically limited the available decor spread.

For NZ joiners, that creates a practical supply problem. A laser edge bander only delivers its full value when the right edging materials are available in the right decors, thicknesses, and formats.

Hutchco Managing Director Mark Leith saw this as a roadblock for local innovation. “We saw that while the technology was there, the accessibility wasn’t,” Mark says. “By having laser post-coating now running at our distribution site in Auckland, we’re even more motivated to give manufacturers like Carlielle more agile edging solutions on-demand.”

For veneer applications, this means Hutchco can support 1mm Tekton veneer edging with a laser-ready functional layer, helping NZ joiners access zero-joint veneer edging options suited to compatible laser, hot-air, NIR and HyFuse edgebanding systems.

Moving Veneer Beyond the Glue Pot

The glue pot is a necessary evil that loses its charm the moment the factory temperature dips. Doug McMiken explains: “Our previous EVA machine was modern and otherwise did a great job, but in the middle of winter, we had to do a lot of extra work to get clear glue to stick well,” Doug explains.

It is something the team at Hutchco hears often. Mark Leith explains: “It’s easy to overlook the hidden costs when pricing. The price per metre of tape is only one part of the equation. Adhesion troubleshooting, extra glue-line cleaning, and glue pot maintenance all add up,” Mark explains.

“We want to eliminate that friction,” says Mark.

Until recently, running veneer meant being tethered to a glue pot. Solving this for customers meant Hutchco had to rethink its entire inventory. “Developing the laser-coated veneer saw us introduce new stocked lines of 1mm Tekton veneer edging,” Mark says.

Putting 1mm Tekton Veneer to Work

“Working with Carlielle on this, who’ve used our German and Portuguese produced edge bands previously, provided real-world testing, getting a strong, imperceptible bond.”

For Carlielle, the appeal was practical as well as aesthetic.

“When we discussed with Hutchco the possibility of applying 1mm Tekton veneer tape with post-coated laser, [it] ticked all the boxes for efficiency, durability and [gave the] high quality finish we needed,” says Doug.

Doug McMiken, Carlielle Kitchens

Doug McMiken continues: “Trialling this with them has given excellent results and the first couple of projects have gone well.”

Beyond the bond, the move for Carlielle also meant reclaiming time lost to post-production cleaning. “The key consideration was reducing clean up and changeover times by eliminating the glue pot,” Doug explains. “It was an overall package for us to make the jump.”

Why Laser-Ready Materials Now Matter

As New Zealand specifications become more complex, the gap between those delivering high-quality, enduring work and the rest of the market is widening.

Doug sees the writing on the wall. “We are absolutely promoting it to our clients and architects,” [who are] “excited with the leap forward in finishing quality.”

Doug adds: “Suppliers that do not have laser edging available for their products will certainly be missing out on a chunk of the market as this becomes more sought after in the high end.”

For high-end residential joinery, material alignment now goes beyond decor matching. It also means making sure the edging format supports the production method, finish expectation, and workshop workflow.

The Takeaway for NZ Joiners

The machine is the investment, but the tape is the strategy. For the NZ joiner, local laser post-coating means the transition to a glue pot free workshop is finally a practical reality.

“Alignment in this industry is about more than just matching a colour; it’s about matching the way a business works,” Mark Leith notes.

Mark Leith, Hutchco

Carlielle Kitchens
www.carliellekitchens.co.nz
www.instagram.com/carliellekitchens

Image credit: Manuwai Kitchen - John Williams Photography

The post Zero-Joint Veneer Edging Now at Hutchco appeared first on Hutchco .

Why local laser post-coating changes how edging is specified, stocked, and supplied.

The post Laser Edging NZ Just Got Practical appeared first on Hutchco .

Propaint Prolaser paintable edge tape is helping Ryan’s Kitchens deliver a sharper finish without the extra sanding or patching that used to slow their projects down. What began as a trial in their Christchurch workshop quickly grew into a new approach to edging. The more projects they ran through the system, the clearer it became that this wasn’t just another tool on the shelf — it was a shift in how they could promise quality to clients and back up their reputation for precise, award-winning joinery.

Originally published in the June Issue of Joiners Magazine 2025

Why Ryan’s Kitchens Chose Propaint Prolaser Paintable

I had a hunch. I’d been watching the shift, designers boundary pushing perfection, clients catching on to the “laser edge” trend, and workshops leaping on any opportunity to cut down wasted time. If there was a story worth telling about paintable edge technology, one with real, gritty credibility, it was going to come from the team at Ryan’s Kitchens & Joinery.

Founded in 2008 by Ryan, a builder by trade with a sharp eye for detail. Ryan’s Kitchens & Joinery has steadily grown into one of Christchurch’s most respected bespoke joinery firms. The purpose built Wigram-based factory and showroom they now call home is the product of years of dedication to innovation.

Ryan and his team have been early adopters of zero-glue edge banding technology, always looking for tools that offer genuine gains in precision and efficiency.

When they’re not producing award-winning kitchens, like their Kennedy’s Bush project, which took out Best Kitchen $30K–$50K at the 2024 National Master Joiners Awards, they’re refining every detail of their craft, from vanities to built-in joinery.

So, when I needed someone to give me the straight-up, lived-in experience of what our Propaint Prolaser  was really like, I knew exactly who to call.

A couple of texts and a quick call. We were on. I sent over the questions, set a deadline. Then I waited. You don’t chase millennial production managers, especially the hands-on type.

Finding Time Between Jobs, Machines and Deadlines

He might be mid-job, neck twisted inspecting the inside of a half-assembled scullery, or awkwardly leaned over the CNC bed mid-cycle, elbow propped against an open drawer, eyes flicking between the screen and the edge-banding unit. If you want something from them, you email or text it.

So I did:
“Hi Elliot, keen to get this written up by Wednesday.”
“Hi Tux, will have responses to you by tomorrow,” he replied.

Elliot McKenzie is one of those people every workshop needs but few can claim. A senior member of the Ryan’s Kitchens team, he’s a production manager with over 10 years’ experience.

In our dealings with him, he comes across as part technician, part problem-solver. He’s knee-deep in the day-to-day, and always thinking two steps ahead.

A short follow-up message the next day and no sooner had I pressed send than it landed. My inbox was now home to one of the most tightly composed, practically bulletproof sets of responses I’ve seen in a long time.

Is AI helping me write this? Surely, he can’t be great at everything, but that’s not the story.

The story is what happens when someone like Elliot uses a tool that actually solves problems, instead of creating new ones.

How Paintable Edgetape Helps Prevent Cracking on Lacquered Panels

“At Ryan’s Kitchens,” he wrote, “we’re driven by a passion for creating spaces that reflect each client’s unique style and lifestyle.” A sign of a tightly knit, in-house designer and production team.

That’s the polish. But look closer and it’s all about what goes on inside, both the cabinetry and the process.

“This has been especially useful for boxed panels,” he explained. “Where two pieces are laminated together, over time those joints can separate and cause the paint to crack. By using paintable tape, we’re able to conceal that seam and add a layer of protection.”

Now we’re getting to it: no swelling, no cracking, no moisture creep. Real-world joinery problems being quietly solved by a roll of edge tape you can barely see once it’s painted.

But here’s the kicker:

“Since switching to Propaint for our lacquered projects, we’ve seen a noticeable improvement in the consistency of the door finishes. Using the edgebander to apply the tape and shape the radius has been a game-changer compared to routing or sanding by hand. Plus, the time saved on sanding has been a huge bonus.”

That part matters more than you think. When a one-millimetre radius becomes a full stop between a perfect kitchen and a callback weeks later, you pay attention.

“The time you save and the confidence you gain in getting a consistent, high-quality finish – really can’t be overstated. At the very least, grab a roll and try it out. You’ve got nothing to lose.”

So that’s it. This isn’t a story about new laser-ready paintable edgetape technology. It’s about how small changes let really skilled people get on with doing what they do best.

And yes, maybe AI helped the words come through quicker. But the award-winning joinery work? That’s always been very real.

Ryan’s Kitchens & Joinery
ryanskitchens.co.nz
@ryanskitchens

The post Ryan’s Kitchens: Propaint Prolaser Paintable Edge Tape Joinery appeared first on Hutchco .

Smart veneer edging solutions aren’t just about looks, they’re central to how fabricators like DBJ Furniture achieves seamless, award-winning custom joinery. In their standout “Walnut Wonderland” project, the team pushed both craft and technology to new heights, achieving grain flow and surface integration that blurred the line between cabinetry and architecture.

Inside DBJ’s Walnut Wonderland

In high-end joinery, precision and material integrity are everything. Veneer work, particularly at the luxury level, isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about integrating timber surfaces into architectural spaces without visible transitions or inconsistencies. Paul Walkinton, Managing Director of DBJ Furniture, knows this well, having spent years refining techniques that balance craftsmanship with technological innovation.

One of DBJ’s most technically demanding projects, Walnut Wonderland, exemplifies this philosophy. The client’s vision required a continuous grain flow across multiple cabinetry elements, essentially treating the joinery as an uninterrupted architectural surface rather than separate units.

“We had to ensure absolute continuity in the veneer pattern while accommodating the structural and functional needs of each element,” Walkinton explains. “Using 2mm Tekton veneer edging allowed us to maintain the flow without the disruptions that conventional clashing strip methods might introduce.”

Beyond aesthetics, material selection played a crucial role. The team needed a balance between natural veneers and architectural laminates,  ensuring durability while preserving the tactile quality of timber. CNC precision and meticulous hand-finishing ensured that every joint was imperceptible, reinforcing the idea that joinery should feel like an extension of the architecture rather than an added feature.

Material Choices That Work Hard

Smart veneer edging solutions aren’t just about looks—they’re core to DBJ Furniture’s lean, design-led manufacturing.

Their access to specific widths, like 29mm for 26mm panels, offers flexibility on slim profiles such as floating shelves, while wider options enable clean finishes on large-scale feature panels. “Size flexibility allows us to align materials with design intent rather than working around stock limitations,” says Walkinton.

This material strategy flows through their production process.

“Our nesting strategies are planned around optimised edgeband dimensions,” he adds. “By reducing unnecessary trimming and rework, we lower waste while ensuring every piece fits precisely within the larger design framework.” Pre-matched decorative tapes help speed up finishing, reduce sanding, and keep quality consistent across every run.

When Tech Meets Craft

DBJ’s ability to deliver seamless, high-end joinery comes from the balance they strike between advanced machinery and human touch. Their 5-axis Biesse CNC system handles complex shapes and curves with tight tolerances. But it’s their team’s hand-finishing that gives the final product its warmth and refinement—especially on feature joinery like fluted faces and curved cabinetry.

“For us, the goal is always to create something that feels effortless, even when the complexity behind it is immense,” says Walkinton. “That’s the essence of high-end joinery—pushing what’s possible while ensuring the final product feels natural and integral to the space.”

Tekton veneer edging played a central role in delivering the seamless look DBJ aimed for in Walnut Wonderland. But what sets Tekton apart? It’s a multi-layered, engineered veneer tape designed to bend cleanly, hold tight on curves, and resist cracking or splintering under pressure. Unlike traditional thick veneer edging, which can be fragile during machining or post-processing, Tekton’s laminated structure provides built-in flexibility and strength.

It still sands and finishes like solid veneer—but it behaves like a high-performance composite, making it ideal for intricate, high-expectation projects.

Available in popular species such as American Oak, Walnut, White Ash, Tawa, and more, with widths ranging from 22mm to 85mm, Tekton gives joiners and designers the freedom to match detail with scale—without compromise.

DBJ’s approach to edgebanding exemplifies the intersection of technical precision, material intelligence, and aesthetic sensitivity. From the meticulous detailing of Walnut Wonderland to the efficiencies gained through lean manufacturing, their projects demonstrate that true craftsmanship is not about individual components, but about how every element coalesces into a singular, cohesive vision.

The post How DBJ Furniture Nails Smart Veneer Edging appeared first on Hutchco .

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