Looking for a used or new machine tool?
1,000s to choose from
Machinery-Locator
Mills CNC MPU 2021 Hurco MPU Ceratizit MPU

Midtherm lasers in on growth after £1.2 million machine investment

Posted on 17 Jan 2023. Edited by: John Hunter. Read 1323 times.
Midtherm lasers in on growth after £1.2 million machine investmentDudley-based Midtherm Laser, a specialist sub-contract laser cutting and forming specialist, is reaping the operational and environmental benefits of a £1.2 million machine investment. The company, which employs 45 people at its factory on Peartree Lane, has increased its capacity and speed of processing thanks to the installation of a new Bystronic Bystar Fiber 12kW laser with part automation, supplied by Coventry-based Bystronic UK.

One of the largest purchases in its 23-year history introduces the next level of power in fibre laser cutting and will help the company deliver high cutting dynamics and thin to thick cutting capabilities to a customer base that spans aerospace, automotive and decorative work, to food processing, agricultural and conveyors.

It has also made a massive difference to the company’s environmental performance, with the Bystronic fibre laser replacing two older CO2 machines and is already delivering a 50% energy saving – the equivalent of powering 2,100 average homes every month.

Mark Hannon, director of Midtherm Laser, said: “Our expertise in laser cutting and metal forming is respected throughout our sector and has led to us increasing sales by a further 6% last year, a great achievement considering the volatility of the market. The knowledge of our experienced people is one of our greatest strengths and we like to complement this with a sustained investment programme that incorporates the latest technology into our production processes.”

MidthermHe added: “The 12kW Bystar Fiber is a class-leading machine that can cut from 0.5 to 30mm in mild steel, aluminium, and a host of other materials. It gives us more capacity to target new opportunities and, importantly, means three quarters of our machines are now fibre technology instead of gas.

“With this in mind, and when you consider we have also invested in LED lighting, sensor switches and electric vehicles and charging for our staff on the road, it is not difficult to see how we have managed to cut our energy usage in half since 2018.”

Midtherm was originally established in 1968 by Ray Andrews and operated through sister companies offering powder coating, enamelling and UV flues. There was a laser cutting machine that was occasionally being used at one of the factories and the decision was taken in 2000 to put it to better use by creating a ‘laser’ business that initially employed just three people.

With orders starting to take off, Mr Andrews’ son Richard moved the business to its current 20,000ft2 factory on Peartree Lane in Dudley in 2004, with the next big milestone taking place in 2018 when Mark Hannon replaced Dean Cockayne as director and took over the operation alongside Richard and Kate Birt.

Today, Midtherm Laser works with more than 500 companies across 20 different sectors, cutting or forming various sheet metal from 0.5 to 30mm to a +/- 0.25mm tolerance. It is also the only sub-contract laser provider that can offer the cutting of non-ferrous materials without the risk of cross contamination for industries, including food processing and chemical manufacture.

Richard Andrews, a director at Midtherm Laser, concluded: “There has been a lot of investment recently, with the new laser following the installation of automated warehousing and the rebrand to form the Midtherm Group. Embracing new technology is a must for our business, but the company still thrives on the same values my father started it on in 1968, which are quality, service and technical knowledge.”