Helping to position Bell Steel Fabrications, Cricklade, for its next phase of growth is an 8 kW BLM LS7 fibre laser profiling centre, replacing a decade-old CO2 laser cutter. The investment supports the fabricator’s diverse customer base, including its specialist production of bespoke stainless steel exhaust systems for classic cars, which accounts for around 40% of turnover.

Established in 1977, Bell Steel Fabrications has grown into a 21-employee business supplying customers in the UK and overseas. Managing director Matthew Bell first encountered BLM Group at the MACH 2010 exhibition, leading to the purchase of an Elect 80 electric tube bender that has delivered reliable performance and strong aftersales support ever since.

“When the time came to replace our flat-bed laser, BLM was the natural choice,” says Bell. “We assessed three suppliers but felt BLM offered the best combination of quality and value.”

Installed in March 2026, the LS7 delivers reductions in operating costs compared with the previous CO2 machine. Bell estimates annual electricity and gas savings of around £20,000, while benefiting from faster processing, lower maintenance requirements and greater energy efficiency.

The machine processes mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium components for applications ranging from classic vehicle parts and architectural metalwork to structural fabrications and industrial equipment. Features including fly-cut technology, active piercing, automatic focus adjustment and automatic nozzle changing improve productivity, particularly for the company’s high mix of small-batch and prototype work.

Although Bell Steel Fabrications has not yet automated material handling, the LS7 can be integrated with BLM storage and handling systems as production demands grow. The investment provides greater productivity, flexibility and future capacity, strengthening the company’s position as a value-focused engineering partner for subcontract manufacturing.

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