A manufacturer of access covers and steel products for the construction, water, energy and security sectors has made a significant capital investment as it bids to almost double turnover in the next five years.
Shropshire-based Fabweld Steel Products has bought a 15kW Accurl Fibre Laser to increase its production capacity and scope to boost growth.
The new machinery replaces the firm’s 3kW fibre laser, which handled 95 per cent of products at the Telford factory.
Managing director Wayne Carter said: “It’s my aim that we will grow sales 75 per cent within the next five years.
“The Accurl laser is the latest investment to help us achieve that and follows previous work to extend our welding capability and nitrogen gas generation. All three investments will ensure we have the right infrastructure for the growth we want.
“After more than 10 years of hard work, we had outgrown our 3kW fibre laser. This new machine will provide us with far greater cutting speeds and scope, ultimately removing a major barrier to growth and creating many new opportunities for FSP.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those staff who worked additional hours to get us ahead of our cutting schedule so we could get the new laser installed and commissioned with as little disruption as possible.
“Going forward, the increased speed, capability and capacity will quickly put us onto an upward trajectory to achieve our full potential.”
The process to decommission the 3kW laser, remove it, install and commission the Accurl, train staff and get up to full production capability was due to take almost three weeks and was completed at the end of October.
Wayne added: “With 95 per cent of our products going through our laser, this upgrade has taken a considerable amount of planning. Ultimately, we had reached a point where we were unable to grow the business or expand our scope. Upgrading our laser will enable us to do both.”
The new laser was supplied by Milton Keynes based Axe and Status Machinery Ltd. Managing director Steve Thomas said: “Our objective is to supply quality and reliability at a competitive price, which allows our customers to remain competitive.
“We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with FSP and are pleased to be part of their ongoing expansion plans.”
FSP is the market leader in the design and manufacture of access covers and other fabricated steel products for the construction industry, including non-structural and structural applications.
The company is an accredited Real Living Wage employer and is committed to improving sustainability by investing in green technologies. A large solar panel system now powers the factory and the firm’s nitrogen generator, as well as a double fast EV charger which is available for community use when the factory is not open at weekends.
Axe and Status Machinery Ltd
