This family-owned business, which employs 54 people and generates an annual turnover of around £13 million, primarily focuses on general manufacturing but also serves sectors such as architecture, construction, rail, aerospace, and the construction and agricultural machinery industry. About 15 years ago, the company decided to shift its business model from pure stockholding to value-added processing, with a particular emphasis on profiling services.
The transition began with the introduction of a plasma cutter, followed by the acquisition of a precise 6 kW CO₂ laser from TRUMPF. This machine proved highly successful and played a key role in the company's growth. A second, pre-owned TRUMPF laser was later added to meet increasing production demands. During this period, the company expanded its main facility, implemented a night shift, and leased additional premises.
After approximately five years, as the first TRUMPF laser neared its planned replacement cycle, the company explored alternative suppliers in the market. This decision led to the purchase of two flatbed lasers from a European competitor, installed in 2019. However, technical issues arose from the outset and worsened over time. Frequent service interventions and production downtime resulted in significant costs and unsatisfactory outcomes. The company eventually recognized that the reliability of these machines fell short compared to the TRUMPF models it had previously used.
Faced with these challenges, Eggleston Steel decided to fully revert to TRUMPF technology. The first step in this renewed commitment was the acquisition of a TRUMPF TruLaser Tube 7000, which was commissioned in the summer of 2023. This machine, the first of its kind installed in the UK, expanded the company’s service offerings by enabling the processing of tubes, box sections, and other specialized profiles. This previously unexplored area quickly became an important business segment.
The transition back to TRUMPF continued with the installation of two additional laser cutters—the TruLaser 3040 and the TruLaser 3060—commissioned in late 2023 and early 2024. These advanced fiber lasers cover a wide range of material thicknesses and have significantly increased production speeds, particularly for the core thickness range of 6-12 mm. The improved speed and operational efficiency have allowed the company to pass these benefits directly to its customers.
In total, Eggleston Steel has invested approximately £3 million in its new TRUMPF machines and aims to fully standardize on TRUMPF technology in the future. This strategic decision aligns with the company’s broader commitment to investing in modern manufacturing technologies as a foundation for sustainable long-term growth.
