Expanding Operations, Upgrading Equipment & Enhancing Services Test
Project Details
E.B. Hayward is a sheet metal contractor established over 60 years ago as a family-run business based in Gloucestershire. The company prides itself on being able to meet the bespoke requirements of its large customer base. E.B. Hayward’s customers cover a range of industries, including concrete products, agriculture, power generation and hydraulic presses.
The company was spending up to £2,000 a month outsourcing the laser cutting of parts. After acquiring a neighbouring unit, E.B. Hayward wanted to expand their business and save costs by bringing plasma cutting in-house. They needed an easy-to-use plasma cutting machine as they often took on people new to the industry.
Initially, the company looked at a plasma cutting table produced in the USA, but it was too flimsy for their needs, as well as being expensive.
E.B. Hayward ultimately decided to buy a Weldplas HQC plasma cutter. Simon Hayward, Director of the company, chose the machine for its intuitive software and good value.
“The Weldplas HQC has a very simple control system. We often have young people come to us to learn the trade and they find it very intuitive. I like that it is a high quality plasma cutter, which produces almost laser quality and enables us to serve a diverse range of customers.”
Simon Hayward, Director, E.B. Hayward
All E.B. Hayward’s items are manufactured to their customers’ drawings, which they are now able to cut immediately. If a slight modification is needed, then they can make the change and cut a new unit.
The installation of their new Weldplas plasma cutting machine has enabled E.B. Hayward to reduce manufacturing costs. It has also given them the flexibility to produce one-offs and provide a more individual service to customers. This opened up a whole new market for the business.
“Since we’ve bought the Weldplas HQC we’ve been able to cut 90% of everything we need in-house. We are now able to satisfy our customers by producing one-offs, first-offs and prototypes, as well as small to large batches of a wide variety of sheet metal and fabricated components up to one tonne.”
Simon Hayward, Director, E.B. Hayward
