A Midland manufacturer has invested £250,000 in a laser machine which is so intricate it can cut a bike smaller than the size of a penny from a single sheet of steel.

Fabweld Steel Products, in Telford, is also creating jobs through its investment which will see projects completed faster and with more precision.

The steel fabrication firm, which specialises in manholes and drainage access, has installed a new German-built Trumpf laser-cutting and profiling machine which it says will help it deliver improved quality and the opportunity to develop current products and future designs.

Managing director Richard Hilton said FSP planned to grow by about 35 per cent over the next five years, and the investment was necessary to build on the company’s growing reputation.

He said: “Our plan for the next five years includes two major investment programmes – the first is the purchase and installation of the new Trumpf laser cutting and profiling machine.

“The second is in research and development and we’re already well advanced in the creation of new products for the manhole and access cover market.

“The investment in the laser gives us a competitive advantage, which is vital when faced with cheaper imports from low cost economies.

“We’re very proud to be a Shropshire-based British manufacturer offering cutting-edge technology and the new Trumpf laser gives us the ability to carry out incredibly intricate cutting jobs for a huge variety of applications.”

The new laser will not only benefit FSP and its contracts, other companies which lack the facility for such precision cutting and quick turnaround times, are spotting the potential FSP can offer.

Operations director John Tudor said: “We know how difficult it is in the current climate to invest.

“Many firms are facing hard times and new machinery may not be high on the list of priorities.

“The Trumpf 3030 is a metal sheet cutting device, and its cut time is 50 per cent faster than our previous plasma machine. It allows us to make parts with greater precision and develop new products.

“We probably have around eight hours spare capacity in every 24 hours, which would suit companies like metal fabricators who want high quality parts but can’t justify the expense of their own machine, or companies who want occasional or smaller jobs.

“Investing in the laser machine has created an additional post in our technical office and we’ve an apprentice joining us on the shopfloor too,” Mr Tudor added.

FSP also has an in-house CAD department. Mr Tudor explained: “That means customers can bring their initial designs and Fabweld’s design team can simulate loads without the expensive requirement of building test samples.

“They will then look to see if it can be improved or redesigned in such a way as to facilitate fabrication.”