Derby based engineering company ASG Group are facing the increasingly difficult market conditions with increased optimism after the addition of a new Laser Tube Cutting system to an already impressive inventory. Representing an investment in the region of half a million pounds and hot on the heels of a CNC Tube Bender, this state of the art Laser Tube Cutting technology places ASG Group at the forefront of UK manufacturing and able to compete head to head with low cost country sources.

Established in 1987, ASG Group has been involved in steel fabrication since it’s inception. A continual program of investment in both personnel and facilities has seen ASG Group grow to become one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of vehicle accessories and assemblies for a diverse national and international client base. ASG Group is heavily involved in the struggling automotive sector supplying to leading manufacturers Land Rover, Jaguar and Honda to name but a few, and dealing with major automotive brands like these means that they are well used to the pressures of annual cost down and thus have to be very keen on production costs.

ASG Group has long been pursuing a policy of less reliance on the Automotive sector and as part of that strategy recently acquired the Mansfield based vacuum forming company Ansini Ltd. This acquisition together with a change of emphasis at their Derby manufacturing base has enabled ASG Group to move into the Furniture, Industrial, Healthcare and Aviation sectors, broadening their customer base and reducing their reliance on the major motor manufacturers.

Suitable for both small batches and large runs, the new Laser Tube Cutting system will provide a 70% improvement in production rates over the more traditional operations of sawing, drilling, punching and de-burring etc, with tube capacities up to 152mm diameter and a maximum length of 6500mm. The Laser Tube Cutting system compliments existing capabilities of CNC Tube Manipulation, Robotic Welding, Assembly and Nylon Coating and reinforces ASG Group’s belief that investment in technology should form a major part of their plan to beat the recession. 

ASG Group Managing Director Mr Bruce Allman said, “This machine will revolutionise not only the way we produce our products but will open up new opportunities for our design department to be even more innovative with future projects. ASG Group’s strong point has always been our in-house Design and Development department. They have enabled the successful development of new products such as the Deployable Side Step for Range Rover and the Retracting Rear Step used on some Land Rover Discovery models, and have also brought significant engineering innovation to our clients products, “engineering” them for production and improving all elements of the overall design. Our continued investment in technology coupled with our increased flexibility in design and manufacturing expertise means that ASG Group are better prepared for the difficult times ahead, with a renewed optimism for both the future of the business and it’s valued team of people”.