Dudley laser cutter's £2.2m extension stepped up

Black Country-based laser cutting sub-contractor Midtherm Laser are undergoing the last few stages of their 8,000 sq ft extension ahead of target.

The £2.2 million investment includes an environmentally-friendly extension which will house two brand new state-of-the-art laser cutting machines and a second press break machine.

Dudley-based Midtherm, which has taken on five new staff ahead of the completion, has also ordered one of the UK's first Bystronic 3Kw fibre lasers to replace the original Bysprint machine that started the company 12 years ago.

The combination of the high power 6Kw machines for cutting thick and thin metals, plus the ultra-high speed cutting ability of thin material with the fibre will give the company distinct advantages.

The fibre machine also offers improvements when cutting aluminium, titanium, brass and copper which, combined with the extremely low cost of operation, was another deciding factor in their purchase.

Operations director Dean Cockayne said "It's nice to see that our long-term plans are coming to fruition. Over the last two years the whole team have been working really hard with both existing and new customers so that we can be in this position.

"Our ultimate goal was to provide a non-ferrous cutting facility which will guarantee no cross-contamination.

"We are now able to offer this unique facility and are looking at penetrating new industries and market places."

Investment has not been confined to hardware and premises; in preparation for the new capacity, the company has already taken a pro-active move to employ and train new personnel and has invested in a new production software package that will significantly reduce production times, resulting in shorter lead times.

The project completion date was originally set for December but should now be completed a month early.

The company now employs 38 following the new arrivals.