The addition of a 6kW fiber laser system, paired with advanced automation, represents a deliberate step forward in how we support our customers.
With the ability to process materials up to one inch thick and handle full 5' x 10' sheets, this system expands the range of parts and applications we can support. More importantly, it strengthens our ability to respond quickly to changing customer needs.
The investment was also shaped by direct customer feedback. As HTT evaluated ways to improve efficiency and better support early product life-cycle challenges, several leading OEM customers expressed strong interest in the potential of expanded laser capabilities, particularly as tooling costs and speed-to-market became increasingly important considerations.
As Director of Operations John Karrels shared, “The addition of the laser is a great complement to our stamping operations and positions us well for the next phase of growth.”
Automation plays a critical role. The integrated 3015 Cycle Loader enables rapid material changeover, reducing sheet change time to under a minute. The Right Output Station (ROS) allows operators to unload parts without interrupting production.
The result is a more efficient, continuous process that minimizes downtime and maximizes throughput.
For our customers, this investment is about more than equipment. It is about flexibility, speed, and smarter manufacturing solutions.
Laser cutting provides an efficient path for early-stage production, prototyping, and lower-volume runs. It also creates a more seamless transition into higher-volume stamped production as programs scale.
The technology also supports value analysis and value engineering (VAVE) initiatives by helping customers reduce setup costs and improve efficiency on lower-volume jobs, particularly for programs experiencing demand fluctuations or production drawdowns where traditional production runs may no longer be practical.
As Owner Rich Sachse explained, “The laser allows us to support lower-volume parts early on and then seamlessly transition those programs into stamping as demand grows, so we can scale alongside our customers.”
By integrating this capability alongside our existing stamping, fabrication, and finishing operations, we reduce the need for multiple suppliers and streamline the overall manufacturing process.
That means:
In manufacturing, staying competitive requires more than maintaining capacity. It requires continuous investment in technology that improves speed, precision, and responsiveness.
At HTT, that commitment continues with the addition of a new automated laser cutting system. This investment is designed to expand our capabilities while helping customers move from concept to production more efficiently.
This investment reflects HTT’s broader commitment to continuous improvement across safety, quality, productivity, and delivery.
Advanced automation improves not only throughput, but also consistency and operator efficiency. By reducing manual handling and minimizing interruptions, the system supports a more stable and predictable production environment.
As with all of our investments, the goal is simple. Build processes that are more efficient, more reliable, and better aligned with customer expectations.
As product lifecycles shorten and manufacturing demands continue to evolve, flexibility and responsiveness are becoming increasingly important.
This addition strengthens HTT’s ability to support a wider range of production needs, from initial concept through full-scale manufacturing, while maintaining the operational discipline and quality standards our customers expect.
As President Neil Leland shared, “We’re investing in the ability to use lower cost alternatives early in a product’s lifecycle, and part of that includes bringing in new laser capabilities to help customers get to market faster.”
We will continue to invest in the people, processes, and technologies that allow us to deliver long-term value.
At HTT, partnership remains at the center of everything we do. By continuing to invest in capabilities that improve efficiency and simplify manufacturing, we are building solutions that help our customers succeed.