Tooling Triumph: Fraser’s Route to Industry Success
Stirling Group’s Fraser Killen has become a prominent figure in the cabinet making and tooling industry. His journey, which began as a high school student with a penchant for drafting and metalwork, has evolved into a story of determination, innovation, and positive change.
Fraser’s entry into the industry wasn’t meticulously planned; rather, it serendipitously fell into his lap. While still in high school, Fraser secured a summer job through his shop teacher, working under Craig Honeyman, now his business partner, in saw doctoring. They were involved in sharpening and crafting tools for molding companies and sawmills. This experience, coupled with his high school metalworking and drafting classes, laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable career.
“My shop teacher got me the job during the summer holidays, and I worked for Craig for about two years. It was during this time that Craig expressed his desire to expand into CNC tooling” Fraser recalls. This vision was the spark that ignited Fraser’s journey into the tooling space.
Venturing out into the industry at just 16, Fraser admits it was a daunting experience. Armed with minimal knowledge, he was tasked with visiting companies to understand their tooling needs. “Some people were really nice about it, but others not so much. I got hit with a lot of tough questions,” Fraser remembers. “I’ve had receptionists be like, ‘Is someone’s kid here, like what’s going on?'” he added, laughing. This trial by fire involved being peppered with curly questions designed to test his knowledge and value. But he didn’t let this deter him. Instead, he leveraged these experiences to build his knowledge and credibility, constantly communicating with manufacturers and clients to refine their offerings.
Juggling full-time studies in engineering and business with growing responsibilities in the business was no small feat. Fraser eventually scaled back to part-time study, which allowed him to maintain a balance. “It’s been extremely challenging at times, but having that education side keeps you thinking and moving,” he says. The blend of mechanical engineering and business management has provided Fraser with a unique perspective, aiding him in making informed decisions that benefit both the technical and business aspects of the enterprise.
An essential part of Fraser’s story is his co-founding of Panel Tools within the Stirling Group. The idea, initially driven by Craig’s philosophy of creating the perfect synergy between machine, tooling, and end product, aimed to fill a gap in the market. “We really wanted this to be a digital business, making it easy for people to find information online and make quick decisions to order their tooling,” Fraser explains.
Panel Tools helped position Stirling Group to move into the CNC market and broaden its offering to furniture and joinery sectors. This venture was a catalyst that allowed the Stirling Group to offer comprehensive solutions across various industries.
Fraser is particularly excited about their latest development—sanding heads for CNC machines. This innovation targets reducing manual sanding, particularly for solid timber joinery, which is often labour-intensive and time-consuming. “Sanding is a task that’s not only time-consuming but also manually intensive. Anything we can do to reduce manual sanding is a huge win,” Fraser shares.
Throughout his career, Fraser highlights the importance of building strong relationships within the industry. He attributes much of Panel Tools’ success to customers willing to work collaboratively, testing new products, and providing valuable feedback. “I think the biggest value-add has been building relationships with people within the industry. Approaching every day as a school day and not being afraid to tackle really hard problems,” he advises.
When asked what defines a legend of the trade, Fraser points to continuous improvement and innovation. “It’s the guys that love to workshop different ideas, try new things, and ask a lot of questions. Always thinking about what’s next and what they can do better,” he says.
Fraser’s journey from a curious high school student to a pioneering force in the tooling industry serves as an inspiration for young professionals. His story illustrates the power of perseverance, continuous learning, and the value of fostering strong relationships.
For the cabinet making and associated industries, Fraser from the Stirling Group stands out as a beacon of innovation and dedication—truly a legend of the trade.
