Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire UK – Electrox, part of The 600 Group Plc (600 Group) and a designer, developer, and manufacturer of laser marking systems, says its order book rose to near £2m, its highest level since the start of the global financial crisis back in 2007 and the subsequent economic downturn.
An ever increasing global requirement for the marking, identification and traceability of components in most industrial markets, including medical, giftware and engineering, is the main driver for this recession busting growth.
Contributing to the order book has been a significant order from a white goods manufacturer in Turkey. This sector, which has not traditionally used laser marking, is embracing the benefits of permanently marking control panels. Further growth is anticipated as more sectors switch from traditional marking techniques –such as stamping and pin and dot-peen marking – to laser marking.
Electrox has also seen a rising trend towards replacing, rather than repairing, laser machines and this has been particularly prevalent in North America. Electrox’s GM, Paul Mincher, said the trend was being driven by the significant reduction in the capital cost of laser machines over the last 10 years, many of which have gone down in price by almost 70 percent.
600 Group recently underwent a major restructuring program and, as a result, Electrox is now more closely integrated, benefiting from the availability of increased in-house manufacturing, with workstation enclosure design and manufacture being carried out by the Group at its main Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, site.
"Lasers are now routinely used in the manufacturing process for a diverse range of products, components and materials and, as a result, we are seeing an increase in orders coming from all markets, worldwide," added Mincher. "Following the 600 Group restructuring, Electrox is in great shape, with significantly improved efficiencies and customer service and we are better placed than ever to deliver on our growing order book."
Laser marking is a technologically superior alternative to ink jet marking. It requires no consumables and can operate on a continuous high speed basis when integrated into a user's production lines. The business has its own technology and proprietary software. User applications are diverse and range from telecommunications to pharmaceuticals. The requirement for increased product and component traceability is one of the market drivers.
David Norman, Chief Executive of 600 Group plc, added: "Laser marking is an exciting market that I believe will continue to grow whatever the outcome of the economic recovery."