FOCUS ON LASER CUTTING
CLEAR-CUT OBJECTIVES
Irish subcontractor , Global Steel , is recruiting new staff , extending its facilities and purchasing new fibre laser cutting and bending equipment as part of its five-year plan to grow the business .
“ The introduction of a new 4kW fibre laser cutting system presented a technical solution for the expansion of Global Steel ’ s business , particularly against a background shortage of qualified welders .”
Global Steel Manufacturing Ltd . is a family-owned business , in operation for over thirty years , based in Enniscorthy Co . Wexford , Ireland . GSM ’ s founder , Jim O ’ Connor , still plays a hands-on role with his management team in running the business .
Global Steel provides a range of services including fibre laser cutting ; waterjet cutting ; plasma cutting ; stainless and mild steel fabrication ; CNC press brake folding ; powdercoating and site installation . It offers a wide range of specialised engineering products and services to all sections of industry , particularly food processing ; pharmaceutical ; telecommunications and related sectors .
Operating from a new , purpose-built premises on the outskirts of Enniscorthy town , and fitted out with modern fabrication and machine shop equipment , the company has 40 full-time employees . Plans are in place to grow the business by double digits year-on-year . In 2020 , its turnover reached three million euros . The company is experiencing rapid growth and is now recruiting new staff as part of its fiveyear plan to grow the business . This includes the purchase of new fibre laser cutting and press brake bending systems from Swiss manufacturer , Bystronic .
Bending operation on the Bystronic Xpert 150 .
New equipment purchases
Global Steel ’ s business model is based upon product quality ; JIT delivery and a repeatable service experience . A Bystronic BySmart 3kW fibre laser cutting machine was purchased in 2020 by sales manager , Sean Larkin , to satisfy the needs of its customers . It was the first of its type in Ireland , according to Bystronic . To match the new increased capacity , another press brake bending system was ordered from Bystronic , with a 4-metre fold capacity .
In June 2021 , Global Steel placed an order for a second Bystronic fibre laser machine which is due for delivery in September . This 4kW machine will significantly increase the company ’ s ability to penetrate the contract cutting and folding market , it told ISMR .
The BySmart Fiber laser cutting system is designed for high part output and can process thin to medium sheet metal thicknesses . Installation of the laser took place in March 2020 and , in August that year , Kevin Power was appointed as Global Steel ’ s business development manager . He has particular expertise in the development of laser cutting , fabrication and assembly of high-precision steel components for engineering ; civil engineering ; construction ; pharmaceuticals and chemical industries .
The introduction of the fibre laser machine presented a technical solution for the expansion of the business , particularly against a background shortage of qualified welders . The company is currently re-organising to expand laser run-time by introducing shift patterns in its laser department . These plans
76 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR September 2021