Goodman Metalworks: Reliability Reclaimed
A Legacy Forged in Craftsmanship
Goodman Metalworks began as a small family enterprise in Nottingham back in 1964, born from the partnership of an artist and a blacksmith. “My mom was an artist, and my dad was a blacksmith,” recalls Richard Goodman. “She designed the wrought iron gates, and he forged them by hand. It was very bespoke work – crematorium gates, university gates… things no one else could really do at the time.”
Over the decades, the business evolved from these artisan beginnings into a leading fabrication and engineering company, now employing around 82 people and generating an annual revenue of £10 million. Goodman Metalworks serves sectors ranging from quarrying, where it manufactures large dryers, to aerospace, oil and gas, and power generation, with high-profile clients including Lufthansa, Komatsu, and Vulcan. “We’re a one-stop shop,” Richard explains. “Fabrication, machining, assembly, painting – it’s all under one roof.”
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When Reliability Became the Bottleneck
As the company grew and diversified, so did the pressure to deliver consistent quality on time. But their existing first-generation fiber laser began to threaten that promise. “At the time, reliability was the real issue,” Richard says. “We were constantly focused on trying to fix the machine rather than just manufacturing. For customers like ours – big OEMs – you simply have to deliver on time.”
One Friday, the situation reached a breaking point. A customer urgently needed parts, but the laser couldn’t produce them to the required standard. “It was quite embarrassing,” Richard admits. “They had to weigh the parts because the quality was so poor. We just thought – if we’re going to keep working with customers of this size, we can’t keep having this pain.” In that moment, the decision to find a new solution became unavoidable.
Choosing Eagle: A Game-Changing Upgrade
Having used CO₂ lasers and first-generation fiber systems before, Goodman Metalworks evaluated their options carefully. “We looked at some other brands,” Richard explains, “but a lot of the technology felt outdated. When we saw the Eagle machine, it was just totally different.” The deciding factor, however, wasn’t just the machine’s speed or cutting quality. “It was the support from P.W. Machine Services. We knew their maintenance and backup would be second to none, and that’s what really mattered.”
Goodman Metalworks invested in an Eagle eVision 10kW fiber laser with a 4m x 2m table, a significant upgrade from their previous 6kW machine. “We thought we could cut thicker materials and have a greater range in stainless as well, which has proven true. In hindsight, we probably should have gone for a 12 or even 15kW machine – but at the time, moving from six to ten was already a big leap for us.”
A New Era of Confidence and Future Growth
Since installation, the change has been transformative. “The machine is absolutely brilliant,” says Richard. “It runs from six in the morning to six at night, 12 hours a day, without problems. The cut quality is fantastic, even on harder materials or plates that aren’t perfect. It’s just a game changer for us.”
The team particularly values the MyESP remote service system, which connects them to Eagle technicians in Poland within an hour if needed. “That gives us total confidence. We know it’s going to work every day – and if anything comes up, we get a solution fast.” The improved reliability and cutting speed have reduced reliance on plasma cutting, streamlined production, and reinforced Goodman Metalworks’ reputation for precision and punctuality.
The team particularly values the MyESP remote service system, which connects them to Eagle technicians in Poland within an hour if needed. “That gives us total confidence. We know it’s going to work every day – and if anything comes up, we get a solution fast.” The improved reliability and cutting speed have reduced reliance on plasma cutting, streamlined production, and reinforced Goodman Metalworks’ reputation for precision and punctuality.
