For a business like Metal Man Fabrication, variety is a huge part of the job. Based in West Yorkshire, the company works across everything from retail displays and advertising installations to motorsport components and structural steel. No two projects are quite the same, which makes flexibility and speed essential, however that was being held back by the unreliability and expense of outsourced laser cutting.
We spoke with Metal Man’s Tom Orrell about what lead him to choose Swift-Cut, and how that decision is shaping up for the business.
“I was basically at the mercy of laser cutting companies. Lead times didn’t suit what I was doing.”
Tom Orrell
Waiting on external suppliers meant delays, disrupted workflows, and limited ability to react to customer demands. It was inconvenient and restricting the growth of the business.
The shift came after spending time using a friend’s Swift-Cut machine. What started as a practical workaround that benefitted the business short term, quickly became something more significant.
“The more I used his, the more I realised I needed my own.”
Tom Orrell
Having access to same-day cutting changed the way Tom envisaged his business working and gave him a glimpse at what in-house cutting capabilities could mean for productivity. Jobs that once required planning around third-party lead times could now be turned around immediately. The decision to invest in a Swift-Cut system followed naturally.
What stood out wasn’t just the convenience, but the capability.
“It’s not that different to laser… and it probably shocks a lot of people how good it is now.”
Bringing cutting in-house gave Metal Man control over timelines, quality, and crucially, control over how quickly they could respond to opportunities and that has had a direct commercial impact.
“It’s probably made a lot of the money back already. It’s opened a lot of different services we can provide.”
With the ability to cut on demand, the business has expanded what it can offer customers, turning previously outsourced processes into new revenue streams.
Equally as important to Tom was being able to use it immediately, without a lengthy learning curve.
“It’s really easy to use. Clients can send me their drawings… and you can just download the files and cut it out instantly.”
There’s no reliance on specialist operators or drawn-out setup processes, just straightforward, efficient production. And the support is there as and when he needs it.
“If you’re struggling with anything you can always call them… you’ve always got a way out of any problems.”
Due to the combination of usability and backup, the table has integrated effortlessly into day-to-day operations and making the business more productive.
The wider impact is reflected beyond Metal Man.
“At least two people I know have bought them since… one of them had a laser cutting machine before and replaced it with a Swift-Cut.”
It’s a telling endorsement and one that speaks not just to performance, but to real-world value and looking back, the investment is easy to justify.
“It’s been a sound investment for my business and probably one of the better things I’ve bought. I would definitely recommend Swift-Cut. It’s been a big improvement to my business.”
For Metal Man Fabrication, Swift-Cut hasn’t just improved a process – it’s reshaped how the business operates, giving it the speed, independence, and confidence to take on more.
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