Leading engineering firm puts faith in a strong North West economy

A LEADING engineering firm has put its faith in the strength of the Manchester and the North West economy by appointing its first dedicated sales representative for the region.

Midlands based Laser Process has appointed Craig Dwyer as its rep for the North West. The firm has already seen a doubling in interest from business in the region since he took up his post in April.

The laser cutting subcontractors based in Cannock, Staffordshire, is one of the top five firms in the UK in its field, specialising in precision cutting of all types of metal for a wide range of engineering applications. The business, which employs 36 staff and has a multi-million pound turnover, celebrated its 20^th anniversary last year.

Craig Dwyer will have direct contact with the firm’s customers throughout Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and North Wales.  He has more than 18 years of experience in the steel industry, working in the sales team at ASD Steel Stockholders based in their offices in Stoke-on-Trent.

Laser Process managing director Dave Lindsey said the appointment demonstrates the strength of manufacturing in the North West.

“We’ve experienced the strength of the economic recovery in the Midlands with increased sales and we know there is the same revival of manufacturing taking place in the North West.

“Simply from feedback that we’re getting from our contacts in the region there is a really positive outlook among manufacturing firms, we obviously want to make sure we’re there to pick up the business coming from the economic revival,” he said.

The firm hit two performance records in March, experiencing its best ever month of trade with turnover topping £500,000 in a month for the first time and securing its largest ever single order for just over £100,000 worth of steel decking plates. The firm announced in May its largest ever investment in new machinery, with a £1m order for two new Trumpf laser cutting systems.

The firm has long established contacts with firms in the North West but has never had a sales rep solely for the area.

 “We are getting more orders and more enquiries from firms in the North West,” said Mr Lindsey.

“That’s partly because we’ve now meeting people face-to-face more regularly and business people like to see you before they place an order. But most manufacturing firms in the area are busier and there is more work out there,” he said.