New ACCURL laser cutter helps steel plate specialist offer next-day lead times

Middlesbrough-based SM Thompson (SMT), a leading steel plate processing specialist, is now able to offer clients shorter lead times thanks to its investment in a new 12 kW fibre laser cutter with 4 m bed. By installing the ACCURL MasterLINE 4020 from Axe & Status (ACCURL partner in UK), next-day lead times are now available, reducing from 2-3 days previously.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2025, family-run SMT is among the region’s most experienced companies within its sector.

“We began as a pure steel stockholder back in 1950,” explains managing director Harvey Thompson, grandson of company founder Stanley Moorhouse Thompson. “When my father Howard joined the business in the 1960s, he initiated a shift in direction, introducing profiling services to add value for customers. It started with flame and plasma cutting – processes we still offer today – but in recent years has progressed into laser cutting, press braking and plate rolling services.”

Serving a market where lead times are just as critical as price and quality, SMT wanted a way to reduce its current delivery time of 2-3 days. With three laser cutters already on site, the way forward was to invest in another.

“We needed more capacity to shorten lead times and further boost quality through the latest laser cutting technology,” says Harvey Thompson. “As a business, we invest regularly in new machines and always cross-reference the market. We have a responsibility to provide the best available technology for the benefit of our customers.”

He continues: “Following extensive due diligence, we settled on ACCURL. Importantly, Axe & Status allowed us to visit an existing user, which showed they had complete confidence in ACCURL laser cutters. The end user was really happy with the machine, a factor that played a big part in our purchase decision. There’s no doubt the ACCURL is a step up from our other laser cutters.”

The ACCURL MasterLINE 4020 features a 4 m long bed (2 m wide) with SMT selecting the 12 kW model. Arriving in February 2025, the company describes the installation, commissioning and training process as seamless from start to finish.

“To be honest, it’s probably the best installation we’ve ever had. The communication from Axe & Status was really good throughout, supported by excellent service. The ACCURL user we visited said the back-up from Axe & Status was first class, and we make them right on that score.”

Although the first ACCURL on site at SMT, the 20-employee business reports a very shallow learning curve. The company’s highly trained operators are particularly impressed with the machine’s features and functions, and all prefer using the ACCURL over the other laser cutters, whatever the job. Batch sizes at SMT extend from 1-offs to thousands.

“We traditionally offer mild steel plate, but since entering the laser cutting arena a few years back we’ve made big gains in the stainless steel and aluminium markets,” says Thompson. “We cut from 1-25 mm using laser, although the average is probably around 10 mm. For anything from 25 mm and above we turn to our flame or plasma cutters. However, since the arrival of our new ACCURL, I don’t think it will be long before we phase out plasma. Laser is more efficient and just as cost effective to run – and the cut quality is better. We’ll probably end up with just laser and flame cutters.”

Although the other laser cutters on site also offer 12 kW power output, SMT reports the ACCURL MasterLINE 4020 cuts 20-30% faster using the same gases – oxygen or nitrogen (depending on material and thickness).

“We’re not sure why and can only put it down to better technology,” says Thompson. “We can now offer next-day lead times, so the ACCURL has definitely had the desired effect. It’s quite a tough market at present, which means any advantages new technology can provide are a big help.”

SMT runs a three-shift system, five days a week, with the ACCURL MasterLINE running around the clock. Thanks to the use of high- quality components such as the machine’s RAYCUS fibre laser source and BOCI cutting head, ACCURL laser cutters can operate continuously seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“The cutting head is the core element for a stable cutting process and high component quality,” says Thompson. “Optimal cooling ensures consistently precise cutting performance, particularly for long-running jobs with high laser power.”

As a progressive manufacturing business, investment is clearly key to SMT, which can today offer a host of added-value services that extend beyond profiling to include rolling, press braking, drilling and plate marking. The company is certified to ISO 1090, an international standard focusing on the execution of steel structures that ensures quality and safety throughout production, assembly and installation processes. SMT also carries the ISO 9001 quality management accreditation.

“Even in a tough market we’ve got to keep investing,” he concludes. “In tandem with our innovation and passion, new technology means we remain ahead of the competition. We’re constantly developing new ways of working, and thoughts are already turning to our next laser cutter, probably with even larger bed size and more powerful laser, perhaps 20 kW or more.”

Big machines and big ideas will almost certainly translate into a big future for SMT. As recently as 2015 the company relocated to a facility twice the size of its previous premises. Looking ahead, the company is convinced it can achieve further long-term growth. With 75 years of experience and success to call upon, few would bet against it.