Steel stockholder Eggleston Steel, which can trace its history back to 1809, is defying the industrial inertia by planning to spend almost £1.5m to keep it at the cutting edge of its sector.
Eggleston Steel is buying three new machines for its premises at Alfreton Road – a laser cutting machine, a press brake which folds a steel plate, and a guillotine.
It matches the previous investment in machinery – the most advanced laser profiling machine in the country.
The company hopes to then buy a plate processing machine which will cut steel using a plasma process while also being able to drill, tap, mill, and counter-sink plates.
Eggleston Managing Director Richard Hewitt said:
"This machine used additional capabilities that are a new concept, something the company currently does not offer".
“It will enhance our capacity and hopefully open new markets for us".
Eggleston hopes to have this equipment, costing another £500,000, installed by the end of the year. Together with new software and ancillary spending the total cost will be almost £1.5m.
Eggleston provides steel for customers working on a DIY project to full loads for national companies working in the engineering, fabrication and construction sectors.
Its products are used in a wide range – from fire escapes to ducting for power stations and structural steel for buildings
Three-quarters of the steel sold is processed in bespoke fashion – sawn, guillotined, folded or profiled into specific shapes, comprising anything from a weather vane fascia to giant sculptures weighing tonnes.
In addition to existing customers, the company hopes that the new equipment will lead to new markets across the rail, automotive, aerospace industries, and agriculture.
The initial items were bought from fellow Made in the Midlands member, LVD, a new supplier for Eggleston but well-known in the trade. Richard Hewitt, Managing Director at Eggleston Steel mentioned how he made the decision to purchase the machinery:
“They took four of us over to their factory to show off what they make and do. We were impressed with what they had to offer and it gave us confidence moving forward,” he said.
“Despite the current political situation and problems facing British industry we are determined to continue moving forward and investing in machinery and staff".
“These investments in machinery will increase productivity and the quality of the finished product as well as profitability. We have created two additional jobs prior to delivery to give us a head start.”
Pictured: Staff from Eggleston Steel being given a demonstration of the LVD press brake machine at the company's facility in Banbury.