Formed in 1973, Cirencester-based Broxton Industries (www.broxton.com) has become one of the UK’s most successful sub-contractors, with 60 employees, two divisions and an array of machines that includes several from Trumpf (www.uk.trumpf.com).

Managing director Marcus Ellams recalls a customer meeting in December 2015: “I began to think that if we invested in the right marking technology, we could not only complement existing processes and add more value but also provide a solution to an important customer.”

The latter had placed an order for 2m-long anodised aluminium extrusions — manufactured in batches of 1,500 and destined for the furniture industry — that required three marks at one end (two logos and an instruction).

Mr Ellams continues: “The customer had been considering various marking suppliers, but as a satisfied Trumpf user, our choice was the TruMark Station 500 with TruMark 5020 laser, which offered everything we required.”

There was just one hurdle to overcome: the length of the extrusions. “Unlike other systems, the TruMark Station 5000 had removable panels on both sides, so we designed a bespoke side extension to provide an access point for loading long material.

With the help of Trumpf engineers, this was integrated with the safety circuit, so we now have hinged access for long extrusions with a safety interlock, which works really well.”

Since the machine was installed about eight months ago, Broxton has been able to fill its capacity with a plethora of different jobs, including laser engraving stainless-steel fascia plates for a customer in the fire safety sector.

“Beyond metallic jobs, we’ve also marked plastic and even painted finishes. In fact, we’ve not found a job that it can’t do.”