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Lasertech diversifies services with Mazak laser system |
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 A recently installed Mazak laser cutting system has helped Lasertech Industries Inc. of Quebec, QC to diversify the services the firm offers and differentiate itself from competitors in the Quebec market.
“If you offer all the same services as your competitors, the only difference is price,” says Lasertech founder and president Denis Dubois.
With more than 25 years experience in sheetmetal fabrication, Dubois knew he had to offer his customers more diversified services when he started Lasertech.
“You have to offer new products and services to grow,” he says. “If you don’t grow, you’re going to die.”
Dubois started Lasertech five years ago with one Mazak 2D laser and a press brake in a 5,000 sq. ft. building.
Since those humble beginnings, he has upgraded his 2D capability to a Mazak Mark II.
Also during this same period, Lasertech has sustained an annual growth rate of 40%, built a 15,000 sq. ft. facility in Quebec, hired 30 employees, and bought a Mazak SpaceGear-U44. The company is ISO 9001-2000 certified.
“My SpaceGear-U44 is a tool to differentiate me to the customer, I can provide a service they can’t get from someone else.
“I’m trying to build long-term relationships with my customers for the 3D service – there are far too many 2D competitors to do that,” according to Dubois.
Continues Dubois, “We’re trying to bring something different to our customers.
“The services we offer like 2D laser cutting, welding, processing, and engineering assistance are important, but these things aren’t any different than what our competitors offer. The SG U44 is a complementary process that’s opening doors to new customers.”
Prior to purchasing the SG-U44, a triple-mode laser having 2D, 3D, 3D-tube and pipe with rotary capability, Dubois went through a benchmarking process, attended trade shows, toured showrooms, and spoke with business colleagues.
Dubois points out that Lasertech had been considering upgrading to 3D cutting capabilities for years.
“Every three to five years the equipment improves significantly,” he says. “If you don’t update, you are going to fall behind and lose.”
Through his evaluation process, Dubois determined that Mazak was number one in 3D laser customer support and that every Mazak owner he talked to was satisfied.
“I saw a growth opportunity in 3D laser technology when I first saw the SG-U44 at the International Manufacturing Technology Show and was sure it would help my company access markets that I couldn’t access before,” says Dubois.
Although he had no 3D work, Dubois was confident in his decision to pursue new markets.
“It really wasn’t that big of a risk for me-I had already started a business from scratch and proved that I could be profitable in two years. It was always part of my long-term strategic plan to grow by offering 3D laser cutting,” he explains.
Lasertech’s existing customers, however, didn’t share Dubois’ confidence in the new technology. “They didn’t see an immediate need, or thought it was too complex for what they were doing,” Dubois notes.
“3D laser work is so different than work on a 2D laser. With 2D cutting, you can install the machine and have it booked solid in two months if you are willing to compete on price alone.
“It takes time to educate customers on the capabilities of the SG-U44. There was also a learning curve on our part, as Mazak said there would be, and it took us some time to master it.”
Dubois singles out one part (shown below) that tested Lasertech’s new-found expertise in 3D laser cutting.
“It is a 3D aluminum prototype for a small sport vehicle,” Dubois says. (Itis) a formed part with special geometry, deeply drawn, with a lot of springback.
“We had to do a lot of advanced programming using the Mazak SPACE CAM software to get the part right, but we produced 50 prototypes in just 48 hours. The customer was very happy.”
Because Lasertech didn’t have the luxury of transferring many existing customer parts to SG-U44, all the work being run on it comes in as new business.
“We are doing things that we couldn’t do before and that’s why we bought it,” said Dubois.
“We have reached out to design engineers across the Eastern United States and Ontario to get parts from aircraft manufacturers, the automotive industry, and appliance manufacturers. “The SG-U44’s capabilities have opened new markets and that was the intent.”
mazakoptonics.com
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