Hypertherm Marks 50 Years of Industrial Cutting

Hypertherm is celebrating its 50th year of industrial cutting by introducing new programs designed to deliver greater value to customers. In addition, the industrial cutting systems and software company’s anniversary events will include the unearthing of a long-buried time capsule, and celebrations at all its global locations with Founder Dick Couch.

“I’m so proud of all that we’ve accomplished over the last five decades. We’ve grown from a manufacturer of plasma systems to a global provider of cutting solutions,” Couch said. “More importantly though, we did this as an independent company following our core values while pursuing the long-term interests of our customers and communities. It is gratifying to know that we did this while achieving our goal of becoming a company completely owned by associates who remain committed to providing the world’s leading industrial cutting solutions and to building long-term customer relationships founded on technology and service leadership.”

From its founding in 1968, Hypertherm has worked to meet customer needs, through continuous innovation designed to improve productivity and profitability, according to the company. At the same time, the 100-percent associate-owned company follows a triple bottom line management approach in working to enrich the community and environment while growing its business.

“Hypertherm’s focus has always been on helping our customers reduce their operating cost and improve cutting performance so they can enhance their profitability. That’s what we continue to do today. In partnering with our customers, we are helping them identify the right solution to meet their business goals,” said Evan Smith, Hypertherm president and CEO.

Couch, working out of a small two car garage with Bob Dean, discovered that radially injecting water into a plasma cutting nozzle would form a narrower arc, making it possible to cut metal more accurately and quickly while virtually eliminating heavy dross and double-arcing.

Today, Hypertherm products are found the world over, its cutting systems used in the construction of ships, trains, earth-moving equipment, large buildings, stadiums and bridges, according to the company.

The company said it continues to put customer focused innovation at the forefront. Through investment in research and development, the company’s engineering teams are responsible for bringing numerous breakthrough technologies to market, according to the company. This includes the introduction of HyDefinition, HyPerformance, and most recently, X-Definition Plasma processes, to highly efficient air plasma, and long life consumable technologies. Waterjet differentiators include technology that eliminates common wear items, and software advances designed to shorten programming time, simplify use and deliver optimal outcomes, according to Hypertherm.

Hypertherm designs and manufactures industrial cutting products for use in a variety of industries such as shipbuilding, manufacturing, and automotive repair. Its product line includes cutting systems, in addition to CNC motion and height controls, CAM nesting software, robotic software and consumables.

Hypertherm is headquartered in Hanover, New Hampshire, employing more than 1,400 associates along with operations and partner representation worldwide.

Visit hypertherm.com for more information.