Investment completes Dudley firm Midtherm's expansion

It comes hot on the heels of £2.2 million investment last year on three state-of-the-art laser machines and an 8,000 sq ft extension to the company's Peartree Lane site.

Midtherm has continued to enjoy an influx of orders from what it says appears to be a buoyant manufacturing sector.

The £200,000 pressbrake, which replaces a six-year-old Amada machine, will enable the company to take a massive leap forward in supplying complicated folded components. Included in the package is sophisticated 3D modelling software which will enable the company to receive 3D CAD files which can be turned into 2D CAD drawings for the laser machines to cut.

Midtherm operations director Dean Cockayne said "We are very excited about this new machine.

"Over the last few years we have seen an increase in demand for laser cut and formed parts. The Amada machine served the company well, however we have to make sure that we can be as versatile and competitive as possible.

"The Expert 250 allows us to take on more complicated folding profiles with complete confidence. The new machine works a lot faster than the old one, which means that we can turn the jobs around faster.

Meanwhile, Midtherm Laser is exhibiting from today until Thursday at Subcon 2013, the sub-contract manufacturing event at the NEC Birmingham.

Sales manager David Wheatley added: "We are thrilled that our expansion project is now complete and we can't wait to see our new machines thrive.

"Subcon 2013 gives us an excellent platform to showcase our new facility to potential and existing customers from all over the country. Over the last 12 months we have seen a boom in demand from the manufacturing sector especially in the Midlands area. Now with our full compliment of machinery we are in a position to target new business throughout the whole of the UK."