SSC Laser has invested half a million pounds on a new laser system for its Derby, UK, site. The company has just been through a record six months worth of orders and a significant period of expansion across its UK offices which the company put down to the upturn of the UK manufacturing sector.
The new laser is a flat bed 6kW Bystronic ByAutonom which added to the Derby site's existing capacity. The site was opened in January 2011 and now employs 22 staff. SSC LaserÔÇÖs sales director, Andy Evans, explained that sales were increasing in the area. Evans said that all of the orders made during the companies record six months came from the UK and from a range of industries including construction, electronics, and agricultural machinery.
There has been a great deal of activity in BritainÔÇÖs Midlands over the past few months. Subcon Laser Cutting, Nuneaton, is investing ┬ú1 million into the latest laser cutting systems including a new fibre laser system. High Speed Lasers, Stourbridge, has a new 5kW TruLaser 5030 Fiber system which, according to the companyÔÇÖs website, can process aluminium at up to 25mm thick. There have also been investments from backers including Santander Corporate and Commercial, who supported a ┬ú3.2 million project to improve Rugby-based MSS LasersÔÇÖ presence in the UK and Spain.
SSCÔÇÖs Evans noted: ÔÇÿThe Midlands is very busy. As a region we have become the manufacturing workshop of the UK which is all down to good investments and taking calculated risks.ÔÇÖ He also said there was a change in the number of laser job shops in the area: ÔÇÿThere is more competition than ever; however, we are now one of the UKÔÇÖs largest, employing 70 staff. Our Bristol site is opening on 1 December 2014 which is creating a further 10 initial new jobs.ÔÇÖ
General manager for the Derby site, Nick Watson, said in a press release: ÔÇÿThis is a fantastic addition to our capacity here at Derby; the Bystronic ByAutonom 6kW machine is more powerful than our existing machine allowing us to cut up to 25mm on mild steel, 20mm on stainless steel and 15mm on aluminium. Our Derby facility has grown rapidly over the past two years by offering laser cut products at competitive prices on very quick lead times. It can only be good news for our customers to know that we now have more capacity offering a wider range of laser cut products.ÔÇÖ
SSC Laser also has sites at Hixon near Stafford, Motherwell, Sunderland, Slough and Bristol. The company, whose head office is in Stafford, has said it is rapidly expanding on the back of the upturn in the UK manufacturing sector. Evans said: ÔÇÿGroup sales are at record levels and we are very optimistic that the manufacturing sector in the UK will continue to grow over the next few years.ÔÇÖ
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