Engineered for Precision, Built for Heavy Production
Esprit Automation Ltd has evolved from a University of Nottingham graduate engineering project in 1986 into Britain's premier manufacturer of high-performance CNC plasma, fiber laser, and oxy-fuel flame cutting machines.
Operating from our dedicated 2-acre manufacturing facility at Plackett Mill in Sandiacre, Nottingham, every gantry structure, drive system, and electrical cabinet is designed, welded, assembled, and cut-tested in-house by experienced British engineers.
With over 1,500 machines installed in more than 30 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Australasia, Esprit combines world-class components with direct manufacturer support to deliver maximum uptime for steel service centres, structural fabricators, HVAC manufacturers, and OEM producers.
Core Values Driving Global Performance
Overseas fabricators require reliable machinery, direct engineering transparency, and swift after-sales backup. Our four core pillars guide every machine we build.
Challenge the Status Quo
We continuously push thermal cutting boundaries, replacing slow post-processing with high-definition plasma edge precision and advanced CNC motion control.
Industry-Leading Innovation
From early Windows-based CAD/CAM nesting developments to real-time IRIS telemetry diagnostics, we engineer practical tech for real workshop environments.
In-House Expertise
We maintain full ownership of gantry design, frame fabrication, wiring assembly, CNC software integration, and post-processor development under one roof.
Dedicated Global Support
Overseas clients work directly with factory engineers. Remote diagnostics, stocked consumables, and rapid worldwide parts dispatch keep your downtime minimal.
Global Partnership with Hypertherm
In 1990, Esprit Automation selected Hypertherm as its exclusive partner for plasma cutting power sources. Over three decades later, this collaboration remains central to our engineering strategy.
Our design teams work directly with Hypertherm engineers in North America and Europe to integrate gas consoles, height controls, power units, and CNC interfaces at the deepest technical level. This joint development delivers optimized cut charts, extended consumable life, superior hole quality, and true bevel performance.
In fact, Hypertherm selected an Esprit Lightning HD gantry system for their own European Technical Center in Roosendaal, Netherlands, utilizing our machine gantry to benchmark cutting technology and showcase cut performance to international customers.
Milestones of Innovation & Global Growth
Three decades of continuous technical innovation, expanding manufacturing capability, and international export growth.
Company Foundation
Engineers Geoff Smith and Andrew Cooke found Esprit Automation following advanced control systems research at the University of Nottingham. Development begins on revolutionary mouse-driven graphical CAD/CAM software (Procut) for CNC thermal profiling.
Lightning Range & International Exports
Launch of the first Lightning CNC plasma machines. International exports expand rapidly into Singapore, Malaysia, and Portugal. Hypertherm is chosen as the exclusive OEM plasma power source provider.
High-Definition Plasma Revolution
Esprit introduces the Lightning HD gantry machine, setting a global benchmark for precision plasma cutting with near-laser edge geometry, high gantry acceleration, and robust heavy-duty rails.
Factory Expansion & Heavy Plate Development
Acquisition of Plackett Mill in Sandiacre, Nottingham — establishing a permanent 2-acre engineering facility. Launch of the compact Arrow for HVAC ductwork and the heavy-duty Viper gantry machine for steel service centers.
Precision Bevel Head Integration
Release of the Multibevel platform featuring fully automated plasma bevel heads and Hypertherm True Bevel integration for structural weld preparations and countersunk holes.
IRIS Remote Telemetry & Fiber Laser Expansion
Unveiling of IRIS — real-time cloud diagnostic telemetry system monitoring gantry health, consumable lifecycle, and machine utilization. Launch of the Photon LITE fiber laser gantry series for high-speed sheet metal processing.
Why Overseas Procurement Officers Trust Esprit
Purchasing machinery across international borders requires absolute technical confidence, structural integrity, and assured long-term part supply.
Single-Source Factory Accountability
Because gantry structures, machine tables, electrical panels, and software post-processors are made at our Nottingham works, our technical team answers every query with full manufacturing knowledge.
Pre-Despatch Factory Cut Testing
Every machine undergoes strict operational cut-testing on real plate in our factory before container shipping. Machine alignment, squareness, torch height sensitivity, and gas console calibration are certified prior to dispatch.
Remote CNC Diagnostics & Telemetry
Equipped with modern ethernet and remote support capabilities, our Nottingham service team can access diagnostic logs directly on your CNC controller to troubleshoot parameters without waiting for a field visit.
Worldwide Consumables & Spares Dispatch
We maintain comprehensive stocks of genuine Hypertherm plasma consumables, laser optics, and mechanical wear components ready for international express courier dispatch.
Consult Our Applications Engineering Team
Discuss your plate thickness range, cutting volume requirements, and gantry bed size with our senior engineers. We provide cycle-time evaluations and custom process recommendations for overseas procurement.
Direct Line: +44 (0)115 939 1888 | Plackett Mill, Church Drive, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5EE, United Kingdom