Norbord’s Caberwood Deep Rout MDF is ensuring that MatchBoard International, an interior panelling specialist, meets a key customer’s exacting quality standards in the manufacture of professional, top-of-the-range panelling and doors.

Guaranteeing a consistently smooth, even finish, Norbord’s MDF was specified after exhaustive technical trials to find the ideal material.

Based in Littlehampton, West Sussex, MatchBoard was launched in 1989 to produce a MDF wainscot replicating traditional English tongue-and-groove panelling. Today, the company’s products include a range of profiled MDF panels for applications ranging from wall cladding, bath panels and kitchen furniture through to shopfitting, exhibition stands, reception desks and screens.

Mike Arksey, Matchboard’s managing director, explains “This particular customer is one of our largest. They carried out a range of highly technical tests to determine smoothness and consistency which resulted in the specification of Caberwood Deep Rout. We machine, sand and seal the Deep Rout panels for this customer and deliver them ready for finishing.”

Caberwood Deep Rout is a special grade of MDF in which the density of the wood fibre is consistent throughout its thickness. Standard grades tend to be denser at the surface, with a looser, coarser texture towards the core.

When machined, it is almost impossible to achieve a smooth, even finish to the exposed cross-section of a standard MDF board, whereas Deep Rout gives a high quality finish throughout its cross-section.

Deliveries of 15mm and 18mm Caberwood Deep Rout are made direct to MatchBoard under a supply agreement with the Littlehampton branch of builders’ merchant and Norbord distributor, Travis Perkins.

“It couldn’t be simpler: Travis Perkins receives our order and Norbord despatches the raw material direct from Cowie” says Michael. “A major benefit of Caberwood Deep Rout is that it stores very well without any deterioration which is very important for our manufacturing process”.