From Waterjet to Fiber Laser: How Marzee Inc. Boosted Efficiency and Expanded Its Market with Eagle Lasers
Starting as a Job Shop with a Vision
Marzee Inc., founded by Edward Wenz and his father Neil in 1988, began as a construction company in Phoenix, Arizona, focusing on projects like architectural metal roofing. By the late ‘90s, they shifted from construction to metal cutting, driven by curiosity and a desire to innovate. Starting with a waterjet machine, they entered the world of custom metal fabrication without fully knowing the technology but with a commitment to quick turnaround and quality work. This dedication quickly attracted business, propelling Marzee from a construction company to a thriving job shop.
“Marzee was started as a construction company,” Wenz explained. “But by ‘98, we decided to get out of construction and took a leap with waterjet technology.” Though unfamiliar with the waterjet, they soon mastered it, faxing flyers to machine shops and sign companies to drum up business. Word spread, and within a year and a half, Marzee expanded, purchasing larger machines and eventually the building that houses them today.
Embracing Laser Technology to Compete in a Changing Market
In time, Marzee found itself facing increased competition from shops using lasers. Wenz recalls, “I was getting beaten up on a lot of thinner sheet metal jobs.” To remain competitive, Marzee invested in a 6 kW laser, which proved transformative for the business. “It was great—it did wonders in expanding our product capabilities,” he says. But as demand grew, so did the need for speed. As Edward put it:
“The 6 kW laser wasn't quite cutting it for me. I needed more speed so I could put out more product. I called my salespeople, and they said, ‘let me set up a meeting for a different type of machine.’ So we did.”
That’s when Brian Kent from Fairmont, Eagle’s US distributor, came into the picture. He explained Eagle machines’ capabilities in detail, the unique way they’re built, and, after consulting with industry experts, Marzee made another major leap: upgrading to a 20kW Eagle fiber laser cutter.
Wenz shared his thought process: “I researched online and did my math. The numbers don’t lie.” The transition was substantial. “The Eagle machines, with their polymer concrete base and rails within the base, were exactly what I was looking for to handle fast production speeds while maintaining stability, even in intense Arizona heat where a steel base could have shifted.”
Edward was pleased with the machine as well as with the installation and training provided:
“We had no problems with the installation or anything else. That went smooth. We had everything pre-powered in so we could just hook everything up, go, and play. Training on it was awesome.”
A Game-Changing Decision: Ramping Up to 30 kW Laser Power
When Marzee’s first Eagle laser arrived, the impact was immediate. But soon, they received an unexpected offer for a 30 kW machine.
“I didn’t know what to do with another high-power machine, but I knew I couldn’t pass it up,” Wenz shared. “By the end of that day, on a handshake, I’d bought it.”
The new iNspire 30 kW laser, paired with an automated CraneMaster, opened new markets and provided dramatic speed advantages. The investment paid off quickly:
“After we got the 30 kW in, my world really blew up. A waterjet job that would take an hour now took 46 seconds with the 30 kW laser. We picked up so many jobs that it broadened our market in Phoenix, increasing our growth by 140% in the last year alone. The 30 kW opened up a whole other world in cutting thicker materials and everything else,” Wenz shared enthusiastically.
Industry-Leading Service and Support: A Key Differentiator
Beyond technology, Wenz emphasized Eagle’s commitment to service as a critical factor in his decision. “Service is very important for a machine’s longevity,” he explained. “When Fairmont answered your call, they said you have reached the best service in the world here now. I believe them. If whoever is on the phone can't figure out the answer, they call somebody else to help out.”
About the Eagle Eye remote fault detection system, Wenz added:
“One of the features I didn't know about when I ordered the machine was this lovely camera system that comes with them. So they always have eyes on the machine. If something comes across their screen, they let you know. Having someone guide you through issues with real-time visuals is invaluable.”
This level of responsiveness, he believes, is rare in the industry and a testament to Eagle’s dedication to customer success.
Expanding Horizons with a Broader Portfolio and New Markets
Today, Marzee operates across two buildings with 20,000 square feet of manufacturing space and a team of 19 employees. The Eagle machines have allowed them to broaden their offerings and take on a wider variety of projects, expanding beyond waterjet cutting to deliver high-quality laser-cut parts in metals like aluminum, stainless steel, steel, and reflective materials like copper.
“Now I can tackle thin materials, thicker materials, even copper,” Wenz shared, noting that Eagle’s flexibility has made Marzee a go-to shop in Phoenix for a diverse range of projects. The company’s reputation has grown so much that word of its Eagle machines’ capabilities is spreading fast.
“When you say to people you have a laser, they think, ‘oh, you have a CO2.’ I say, no. That is old school. I've got state-of-the-art fiber lasers, a 20 kW and a 30 kW. They are phenomenal!” added Edward.
For Wenz, the investment has been more than just equipment—it’s been a gateway to a new era of efficiency.
Pioneering a New Standard in Laser Cutting
Wenz believes that if he had to define what Eagle has brought to his company in one word, it would be “speed,” and he has no reservations about recommending Eagle Lasers to other businesses in the industry:
“Oh, I'd recommend it to anybody. Brian Kent has brought five or six different people through here, and I've done a bunch of testing cuts for them. One of the things I tell them is that it’s a fabulous machine. It's a piece of equipment that is absolutely awesome. As far as I am concerned, you're looking at the best that's built. The way that it's built, and the service behind it.”
For Marzee, embracing Eagle Lasers and keeping pace with the latest technology has allowed them to stay ahead of competitors and set a new standard for efficiency and lead times. The shop’s ability to produce high-quality parts at unprecedented speeds has propelled it forward in ways Wenz and his father could hardly have anticipated when they first entered the industry.
“Growth right now is wild. I can't comprehend it. You know, I showed my father, who’s 92 years old, the P&L from last month, and he said, ‘No way. You can't do this.’ I said, ‘I told you I could.’ I think he’s becoming a believer in this technology,” Wenz shared with a smile.
He believes that as Eagle continues to innovate, Marzee will continue to grow with them. “Eagle is always expanding, and that’s something you want to see in a company you’re partnered with,” he said. “They don’t just go stagnant. They’re constantly moving forward.”