Walsall-based Central Fabrications & Facades (CFF) (www.centralfabs.co.uk) has built up an impressive customer base since it was formed in December 2009, mainly supplying fabricated products and components to the building industry.

The company employs over 100 people, and its purpose-built 55,000 sq ft factory houses many ‘state of the art’ CNC machines.

The latest of these is a Mitsubishi eX3015 flying-optic machine (with a 4.5kW CO2 laser) that will be used to process mild steel up to 25mm thick.

CFF has been involved with projects at Manchester University, Solihull College’s Blossomfield Campus, Churchill Hospital and Digbeth Coach Station; the new machine was purchased as a means of expanding into other key market sectors.

Managing director Paul McNicholas says: “We looked at several manufacturers, but we chose the Mitsubishi eX3015 because we thought its cross-flow laser technology was more advanced than other makes, with 30% lower running costs and longer service intervals.

“After our initial enquiry, we were convinced that this was the machine for us. I was surprised just how quickly and easily the machine setting can be altered to suit all kinds of materials, while a demonstration proved all the claims about speed and quality of cut. We are confident that it is going to open up a whole new spectrum of business and bring in many new customers.”

The machine, which cost nearly £400,000, was supplied by Mitsubishi’s UK agent: Shropshire-based World Machinery (www.mitsubishilaser.co.uk).