Nottingham-based
Daltons Wadkin, a leading UK supplier and manufacturer of industrial machinery for processing wood, composite, plastic, and metal materials, has announced a new partnership with leading Italian manufacturer Schiavi, becoming the exclusive UK and Ireland distributor for its range of advanced press brakes.
The move marks a significant milestone in Daltons Wadkin’s continued expansion into CNC metalworking technologies. It also complements the company’s growing success in the fibre laser market and signals the company’s intent to position itself as a full-service provider for sheet metal processing from ‘cut to bend to finish’.
Under this agreement, Daltons Wadkin will offer four models from Schiavi’s portfolio — the BSTs, HFBs, HFBx, and LineAr, all of which can be fully automated with either an automatic tool-loading system or as part of a robotic cell. These machines are known for their high precision, energy efficiency, and intelligent automation, designed to meet the evolving needs of modern manufacturers.
The partnership follows an extensive research and selection process, including a site visit to Schiavi’s manufacturing facility in Bergamo. Daltons Wadkin identified Schiavi as the ideal partner based on the company’s technical expertise, product versatility, and strong after-sales support infrastructure.
Alex Dalton, Daltons Wadkin’s managing director, said: “Adding Schiavi press brakes to our product portfolio is a natural next step in expanding our multi-material solutions offering. We have worked hard to identify a European manufacturer that delivers on build quality and innovation and who aligns with our service values and technical expectations. Schiavi ticks every box. Whether it is part of a full laser-to-bend workflow or a standalone need, this new partnership strengthens our ability to support UK manufacturers at every stage of production.”
Natural key additionThe Schiavi partnership follows the announcement in 2022 that Daltons Wadkin had become the sole UK distributor of Kimla’s cutting-edge CNC routers and fibre laser cutting machines. Daltons Wadkin’s fibre laser specialist, Adrian Wright, hired to further grow the fibre laser sales across the UK and Ireland at the beginning of 2025, said: “A natural key addition to support our fibre lasers was press brakes, especially when talking to a wider range of customers. Typically, for every CNC laser or CNC punch press being used or sold, there will be a press brake for folding or bending parts.
“It was vitally important to have a brand which offers unique machine design, clever technology, and vertically integrated components that could complement Daltons Wadkin’s ethos at the same time as providing customers with the best solution — Schiavi offers exactly that. The most common and important key feature I wanted as part of exploring the market for the right machine was to do with the crowing, and how it was controlled.
“Coming from a production-based background, I know just how important it is to bend parts accurately and consistently, and how frustrating it can be for operators using press brakes day-to-day. The Schiavi's Crowning Free System and Composite Lower Beam’ uses technology that is simple in construction, but clever in design, and guarantees the accuracy and repeatability.”
With nearly 125 years’ experience and a reputation for customer-first service, Daltons Wadkin continues to invest in next-generation technology to support its growing customer base across wood, metal, and composite sectors. The addition of Schiavi strengthens the company’s position as a trusted partner for intelligent manufacturing solutions in the UK and Ireland.