Visitors to the facility were able to see the latest 3D laser processing in operation including laser cutting, laser marking and laser welding. There were also a number of drop-in lectures available to visitors which gave attendees a chance to gain a more in-depth insight into the technology available.

Trumpf were also showcasing their latest fibre or solid state lasers. This new technology offers laser users a more efficient method of cutting and although at the cutting edge now it is likely to move  into the mainstream market over the next few years.

EEF (The manufacturers organisation) aims to raise the profile of UK Manufacturing with a week of activities aimed at highlighting the role that manufacturing plays in the UK economy.

From the 1st-5th March 2010 there will be a series of events around the UK for politicians, policymakers and the general public.

If you would like to get involved in this project to show your support for UK manufacturing, such as laser cutting why not visit their website lovemanufacturing.co.uk

The EEF mention some interesting statistics regarding UK manufacturing:

13.5 %
Manufacturing Output as % of GDP, 2009

£130.9 billion
GVA by UK manufacturing, 2009

3,365
Number of chemical companies in the UK

74%
of business-funded R&D in the UK carried out ny manufacturers

£11.7 billion
Value of UK manufacturing R&D investment in 2008

45,000
People employed by the UK’s pharma industry

1,117,751
Number of vehicles produced in the UK in 2009

131,791
Number of manufacturers in business in the UK

53%
of export earnings generated by manufacturing

2,570,780
Number of people employed by UK manufacturing

102,110
Number of people directly employed by the British aerospace industry in 2009

£17.9 billion
Turnover of British aerospace industry in 2009

9.6%
of UK manufacturing value added in West Midlands

13.1%
of UK manufacturing value added in North West

£4 billion
Value of UK defence exports

£382 billion
Amount of annual net foreign direct investment into UK manufacturing

£30 billion
Total amount of net foreign direct investment in UK manufacturing

CNC Laser cutting machines are sold in the UK by a number of specialist companies:

Trumpf:

Trumpf are probably the most well known supplier of laser processing systems in the world. Althouth the Group Headquarters are in Germany they have a very strong presence in the UK with a dedicated facility based in Luton where they provide training, technical support and an impressive demonstration suite. They are well known for their laser solutions for the sheet metal industry and also work with companies to provide a turnkey solution for specialist applications in the medical industry.

In the industrial sector Trumpf are leaders in the supply of flat and 5 axis laser cutting machines as well as offering complementary forming solutions through their range of pressbrake tools.

Trumpf are well known for providing a high level of after sales service and they tend to have a low staff turnover amongst their on-site engineering staff. Trumpf are probably percieved as being more expensive than other players in their marketplace, however, most companies are willing to pay the additional cost in order to minimise production downtime.

Turnover: 2 Billion Euros

Number of Employees: 8,000

More information can be found on the Trumpf website.

Prima:

Prima are based in Turin and supply a similiar range of 5 axis and flat laser cutting solutions to the UK market as Trumpf. Prima also have a UK arm based in Coventry where again they have technical and sales support for the UK. Generally, Prima tend to offer laser cutting solutions at a lower cost level than Trumpf and although they cannot claim to be market leaders in every sector of the laser cutting industry their large 5 axis laser cutting machine leads the market for large automotive panel laser profiling.

The support levels from Prima should be carefully considered prior to purcahsing a laser to ensure that adequate support is available from the UK without support from the headquarters in Italy.

Turnover: 367 Million Euros (2008)

Number of Employees: 1,600

More information can be found on the Prima website.

Bystronic

Bystronic is the final large player operating in the UK market, the company has its headquarters in Switzerland as part of the Conzetta Group. Bystronic operates in the flatbed laser cutting market only although, unlike Trumpf or Prima, it also supplies waterjet cutting machines. Probably less well known than Trumpf and Prima in the UK, Bystronic are strong in the sub-contract flatbed laser market where companies are looking for a low investment technology which offers high productivity.

In 2009 Bystronic announced a strategic alliance with the tube laser specialists BLM Group, it will be interesting to see if this leads to a merger between the two companies.

Turnover: 500 Million Euros (2008)

Number of Employees: 1,600

More information can be found on the Bystronic website.

If you are considering purchasing a laser cutting system why not take a look at sub-contract services first? In today’s competitive marketplace it is often cheaper and less hassle then buying, running and maintaining your own laser – Why not get an online laser profiling quote today.

CPP are specialists in developing prototype vehicles and components for the automotive industry and the move from Spyker demonstrates confidence in CPP and their supplier base.

Spyker have been in the news recently with their audacious bid to buy ailing car maker Saab.

However, there are signs that manufacturing in the UK is still going strong and is reversing the trend to source goods from overseas. There are a number of reasons for this:

1. Emerging economies may be cheaper but the quality of their manufacturing has often not lived up to engineers expectations. Thus work sourced from overseas companies has often proved to be more expensive overall as rework and engineers time is taking into consideration. This is especially true in the laser cutting industry where organisations have often found that goods are not dimensionally correct or are cut to a poor finish.

2. As the value of the pound has dropped in recent times UK plc’s goods and services have become cheaper and thus more attractive to overseas buyers. This  is happening more and more in Mainland European markets where the UK faces stiff competition from low cost European counterparts.

3. Countries such as China and Japan are starting to face the same issues as the UK did in the 1970’s, workers are demanding more money and rights as they see their employers reap the rewards of low cost labour. Consequently, their goods have become more expensive levelling the playing field for all global manufacturers.

4. It is easy to forget that the UK still leads the world in many specialist areas of manufacturing such as Formula One or medical devices. These companies are profitable by adding value to their offerings by ensuring they are technologically advanced and give customers what they need.

5. It is fair to say that the UK was slow to adopt lean manufacturing techniques that were adopted in the rest of the world. In addition, many UK companies failed to invest in new plant and machinery to ensure they remained competitive in the global marketplace. However, over recent times this has changed dramatically and the UK now has some of the most efficient manufacturing plants in the world.

A recent study by the BBC regarding the state of the UK manufacturing industry gave encouraging news highlighting companies that are holding their own in the manufacturing industry. The companies ranged from trainer manufacturers to child safety seat makers – This shows the depth and diversity of the UK economy.

So it would seem that there is some strngth in depth returning to the industrial sector. This can only be good news for the UK economy as a whole.

The day will mainly be focused around the next generation of 3D laser processing for the following applications:

1. Cutting

2. Welding

3. Tru-Disk Lasers for specialist applications

For further details please visit the Trumpf website.

6 Wayside Business Park
Wilsons Lane
Coventry
Warwickshire
CV6 6NY

Located conveniently within a mile of Junction 3 of the M6 motorway, the site was chosen for its road connections to all routes, and to enable Bystronic UK to be within 21/2 hours of the majority of its UK based customers. Access via Birmingham airport was also considered vital for its many Irish customers.

The new facility combines all operations into a single central UK location consisting of a 1,560m2 showroom and  parts stores, plus 650m2 of new offices and training functions.

Bystronic UK telephone numbers remain unchanged:
0844 848 5850 (All departments)
0844 848 5852 (direct number for Service and out of hours support)
0844 848 5851 (fax)

This large investment shows Bystronic’s long term commitment to UK Business, and to its customers.

The company’s range of laser and waterjet cutting machines, together with pressbrakes and guillotines, will be represented in the new facility. All the equipment, including software, will be available for demonstration within this larger facility.

To launch the new facility, Bystronic are planning an official opening of the site in April 2010. The event will couple with celebrations marking 100 years of their presence in the UK market. The UK operations origins began as F.J. Edwards Limited, an organisation where many of the present staff, including the managing director, started their careers as apprentices.

Bystronic UK look forward to welcoming all current, and potential customers, to the new site in Coventry in the very near future.

Source: AILU Website