Investing in new machinery is one thing.
Seeing a genuine difference in the way you work is another.
At MPL Fabrications, our investment in the new Bodor I7 fibre laser cutting machine (supplied by World Machinery) has done much more than add another machine to our Coventry workshop. It has changed the way jobs move through the factory, expanded what we can offer our customers and given us greater control over the complete fabrication process.
As a family-run sheet metal fabrication company in Coventry, we’ve always believed that investing in the right technology is about making a noticeable difference to our customers as well as improving our own production.
And our in-house laser cutting capability is doing exactly that.
In-house laser cutting
Before the Bodor I7 arrived, laser-cut components for some projects were produced by our trusted external partners.
That arrangement worked well, but it inevitably added another stage to the manufacturing process.
A job would need to leave our facility, be laser cut elsewhere and then return to MPL before we could continue with the next stage of fabrication. That meant additional transport, additional handling and, importantly, another company's production schedule to work around.
For a busy manufacturing environment, those extra steps can add valuable time and expense to a project.
By having in-house laser cutting services, we have removed that additional link from the chain.
Now, a project can move through cutting, forming, welding, finishing and delivery all within the MPL operation.
Less waiting. Less handling. Fewer external handovers. More control.
And that means a much more efficient workflow.
Saving time means improving lead times
One of the clearest benefits has been the time saved by no longer having to send laser-cut work off our premises.
We can plan laser cutting around our own production schedule rather than waiting for an external supplier's availability.
That gives our production team greater control over when components are cut and when they move onto the next stage of manufacture.
For our customers, that can mean faster turnaround times and more predictable lead times.
It also gives us greater flexibility when a customer needs a job urgently or when production requirements change.
That flexibility is particularly valuable when we're working on batch production, repeat components, prototypes or bespoke sheet metal fabrication.
Better quality control from start to finish
Efficiency is important, but it shouldn't come at the expense of quality.
In fact, one of the biggest benefits of bringing laser cutting in-house is the additional quality control it gives us.
When fewer companies are involved in producing a component, our own team has greater visibility of the complete manufacturing process.
The team cutting the material is part of the same operation as the people forming, welding and finishing it.
That means we can identify and address issues more quickly, maintain consistency throughout production and have greater control over the finished component.
This is particularly important for batch production, where customers need hundreds or thousands of components to be consistent from the first part to the last.
Expanding our sheet metal fabrication services
The laser hasn't replaced the services MPL already offered.
It has strengthened them.
Our fabrication capabilities now include:
- Fibre laser cutting
- CNC punching
- CNC bending and press brake work
- MIG and TIG welding
- Coded welding
- Powder coating and finishing
- Bespoke metal fabrication
- Batch production
- Prototyping
- Lift components and lift hoarding kits
- Secure on-site storage and call-off work
- In-house delivery using MPL vehicles
This creates a genuine end-to-end fabrication service, with more of the manufacturing process taking place under one roof.
For customers, that can make sourcing their metalwork considerably simpler. Rather than coordinating several different suppliers for cutting, forming, welding and finishing, MPL can manage more of the process for them.
From laser cutting to finished component
This is where we believe the investment really comes into its own.
A laser-cut component doesn't necessarily represent the finished product. It may need bending, welding, powder coating or assembly before it is ready to go to the customer.
Having these capabilities together means the component can progress through our workshop without unnecessary transportation between suppliers.
For example:
In-house laser cutting → CNC bending → welding → powder coating → storage → delivery
The more streamlined that journey becomes, the easier it is for our team to manage production and the easier it is for our customer.
It's one of the reasons we talk about making fabrication easy and stress-free.
More capacity for prototypes
The Bodor I7 has also expanded the type and volume of work we can undertake.
With a 1.5m x 3m cutting bed, the machine can process mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium up to 8mm, with up to 10mm possible for certain smaller applications. It can also process galvanised steel up to 3mm.
That gives MPL greater flexibility to support everything from one-off and prototype components through to larger batch production runs.
Our wider machinery investment programme is designed around exactly this principle: creating a modern fabrication facility capable of responding to the needs of today's manufacturers. MPL's machinery portfolio also includes CNC punching, CNC press brake bending and hydraulic guillotine capabilities.
A more sustainable way to manufacture
There is also an environmental benefit to bringing more production in-house.
Previously, laser-cut components had to travel between businesses. Bringing the process into our Coventry facility reduces the need for those additional journeys and the handling associated with them. MPL has specifically identified reduced transport and material handling as benefits of its in-house laser cutting capability.
That sits alongside our wider sustainability programme, including our tree planting initiatives, EV charging facilities and energy-efficient improvements.
For customers increasingly looking at their own supply chains and environmental impact, choosing a local fabrication partner can therefore have benefits beyond simply reducing lead times.
Investment in technology – but people still make the difference
Modern machinery is only part of our story.
The Bodor I7 is an impressive piece of equipment, but it is the experience and knowledge of the MPL team that turns that investment into a genuine customer benefit.
We combine advanced machinery with experienced fabricators, welders and engineers who understand the practical realities of manufacturing.
That's important because technology doesn't remove the need for judgement, experience and craftsmanship.
It gives skilled people better tools to do an even better job.
The MPL difference: More control, less complexity
Ultimately, our laser investment is about much more than laser cutting.
It's about creating a more joined-up manufacturing process.
By bringing more capability into our Coventry facility, we have greater control over:
Quality.
Production schedules.
Lead times.
Capacity.
Workflow.
Customer service.
And because we operate our own delivery vehicles, we can also take greater control over getting completed work where it needs to go. MPL provides local support from Coventry with delivery to customers across the Midlands and UK.
That's the real benefit of the investment.
More capability. More efficiency. More control. And a simpler experience for our customers.
We're proud of how far our capabilities have developed and we're always happy to show customers around our Coventry facility.
If you're looking for in-house laser cutting, sheet metal fabrication, CNC punching, CNC bending, welding, powder coating or batch production, we'd be happy to discuss your requirements.
We can also arrange a factory tour, giving you the opportunity to see the Bodor I7 and the rest of our fabrication capabilities in operation.
Get in touch with the MPL Fabrications team to discuss your next project.
See the machine in action: CLICK HERE