York-based fabrication specialist AJ Manufacturing has strengthened its production
capabilities and sharpened its competitive edge following a strategic investment in
advanced sheet metal processing technology supplied by Axe & Status. This progressive and
ambitious company has installed an Accurl Smart Cube 3015 6 kW CNC fibre laser cutter and
an Accurl 175-ton CNC press brake, a move that is already delivering significant gains in
speed, accuracy and flexibility.
The investment marks an important milestone for AJ Manufacturing as it approaches its fifth
anniversary. Founded by Adam Jennings and Jake Connell-Southcoat, the business has built
a strong client list in sectors that include agriculture, construction, retail and food, to list but
a few. Services span CNC fabrication, machining, welding, installation work and
maintenance engineering, a comprehensive offer that has helped the company establish
long-term relationships with customers seeking a full lifecycle approach.
For managing director Adam Jennings, the decision to invest in fibre laser cutting technology
was driven by a clear ambition to enhance both efficiency and capability.
“We previously operated a plasma cutter and outsourced laser cutting to a local company,”
he explains. “However, it meant longer lead times and additional cost. Bringing this
capability in-house was the logical next step.”
AJ Manufacturing’s workload is highly varied, with the team producing everything from
agricultural components to architectural steelwork and domestic projects such as staircases,
gates and balustrades. Says Jennings: “Most of our work is one-offs or small batches, so the
machines we acquire have to be flexible and efficient.”
The search for the right laser cutter was extensive, with the company evaluating several
machines before making its final choice.
“We looked at four or five different laser cutters,” recalls Jennings. “It was a big investment
for a company of our size, so making the correct decision was imperative. Our thorough
decision process took over a year from start to finish.”

AJ Manufacturing first saw Accurl machines at the MACH 2024 exhibition, on the stand of
Axe & Status. After the show, the team conducted further research and visited existing
Accurl users.
“It was great to see the laser cutters processing real-world parts and speak to the owners
about factors like performance and reliability,” he explains. “It really helped us make the
right call.”
Several practical considerations further influenced the final choice. The fully retractable
cutting table on the Accurl Smart Cube proved particularly advantageous when handling
heavier plate materials, while the machine’s compact footprint suited the company’s
available floor space.
The Accurl Smart Cube 3015 6 kW fibre laser was installed towards the end of 2025, with
installation and commissioning completed quickly.
“The machine was up and running in two days,” reveals Jennings. “Axe & Status came back a
week later to deliver the training. It was our first laser cutter, so it was quite daunting, but
the training was excellent and we picked it up quickly.”
The impact of the new laser cutter has been immediate, largely thanks to the outstanding
dynamics of the Cube Compact series, which is designed with a low-set gantry, digital AC
servomotors and precise planetary gearboxes. In addition, the Accurl Hypcut TwinCAT CNC
provides unprecedented control of the cutting process.
“Investing in the Accurl laser was the best decision we ever made,” states Jennings. “It’s
around 50% faster than the plasma cutter we were using previously, and the quality of cut is
far superior.”
Enhanced edge quality has removed a significant amount of secondary finishing work.
“With our plasma cutter, we had to clean the edge post-profiling,” he says. “That’s no longer
necessary with the fibre laser. We’re also able to cut extremely accurate hole sizes, which
means there’s no need for secondary drilling operations to achieve the tolerance required.”
AJ Manufacturing currently uses its Accurl fibre laser cutter to process various grades of
steel, including stainless, sometimes up to 25 mm thick. The company also cuts aluminium
when demand dictates.
One feature proving particularly useful is the laser’s etching capability.
“We can write part numbers or identification marks directly on the sheet without changing
the head or adjusting anything else on the machine,” explains Jennings. “It’s a really handy
feature that helps with traceability and organisation.”

Alongside the laser cutter, AJ Manufacturing upgraded its forming capability with the
acquisition of an Accurl 175-ton CNC press brake.
The company’s previous torsion-bar press brake supported the bending of basic brackets
and simple parts, but the new CNC machine has significantly expanded capabilities. A
notable increase in throughout has arrived courtesy of the high-dynamic Y-axis control,
supporting over 30% higher productivity.
“The Accurl is a far superior machine,” states Jennings. “It produces much more accurate
angles across entire plate length. The machine is also easier to use, while the ability to see
bending simulations on-screen makes an enormous difference, because it informs us of any
potential collisions so we can adjust the program accordingly.”
The Delem DA60 series modular graphical control on the Accurl press brake features a 17″
high-resolution colour TFT touchscreen with 3D visualisation in simulation and production.
The machine is currently bending materials up to 12 mm thick, with AJ Manufacturing
already introducing additional tooling to extend its capabilities further.
The combined investment in laser cutting and CNC bending technology has strengthened AJ
Manufacturing’s ability to compete for more contracts.
Says Adam: “We’re already seeing more enquiries. Thanks to the new machines, we can
process parts faster and with greater accuracy, which is attracting interest in longer
production runs.”
Growth is firmly on the agenda. AJ Manufacturing has recently secured planning approval
for a workshop extension that will increase floor space by around a third.
“We’re hoping to start building before the end of 2026,” he explains. “Once complete, we’ll
probably relocate the laser and press brake into the new space and continue expanding
from there.”
Throughout the project, Jennings says the support provided by Axe & Status has been key:
“They’ve been brilliant. If we have any questions they respond straight away. That level of
support makes a significant difference to a small business investing in new machines.”
With advanced manufacturing capability now at its disposal, AJ Manufacturing is well placed
to build on early success and continue its growth trajectory.
“The new machines give us the capability and confidence to take on more complex work
and larger batches,” he concludes. “Investing in Accurl machines has opened the door to
new opportunities and we’re excited about what comes next.”
More information www.axestatus.com