CUTTING edge technology to revolutionise the steel fabrication industry is being developed by a Tockwith company, with help and advice from Business Link North Yorkshire.

Quicksilver Profiling Equipment, of Marston Moor Business Park, Tockwith, near Wetherby, has won one of the DTI's new Smart Micro Project awards to help it develop a lightweight computerised metal cutting machine - the first of its kind in the world.

The portable machine, which emits intense heat to cut the metal, is to be aimed at small metal fabrication companies all around the world, who have to commission specialist profiling companies to carry out their cutting.

With the new machine, these businesses will be able to do the work themselves at minimal cost. Cutting efficiency will be greatly improved and the machine will be easy to dismantle and store away, so saving space when it is not in use.

The company was advised through all stages of the Smart award application by Business Link North Yorkshire innovation and technology adviser Roger Benson, who has now helped 47 businesses across York and North Yorkshire to successfully apply for Smarts totalling more than £2.3million in the last three years.

Quicksilver Profiling Equipment, a subsidiary of P & B Fabrications Ltd, was founded two years ago by managing director Myles Burgoyne and has already had substantial commercial success both at home and abroad, with a similar, non-computerised machine with projected turnover of £250,000 and nine staff.

Once the machine is ready for the market it is expected it will generate yet more jobs.

Myles Burgoyne said: "We have really done our homework and think there is a huge niche in the market for our machine. There are 10,000 steel fabricators in the UK and around 95 per cent of them are small businesses that presently use specialist profiling companies.

"We will offer these businesses a more cost-effective machine that is efficient and easy to use."