September 2007

Lightning in a Bottle

Local cutting machine manufacturer grows into a new location harnessing the fourth state of matter

Ben Franklin, in all his wisdom, could not have imagined what we accomplish today with the natural force that lit up the key on his kite over two hundred years ago. Referring specifically to plasma, of which lightning is a natural form. Plasma is one of the four states of matter in addition to solids, liquids and gases.

Plasma has a very practical purpose today in the cutting machine industry as a powerful instrument that precisely slices through steel from gauge thickness to several inches thick. It has become accepted as a very cost effective way for industry to profile shape cut steel. One company on the leading edge of this technology is Cutting Systems, Inc. of 15593 Brookpark Road in Cleveland.

Cutting Systems has moved from their 11,000 square foot building on E. 71st Street to their new 45,000 square foot home on Brookpark Road. This is the largest production facility in the 37 year history of this local, family owned business.

More a story of good planning than good luck, Cutting Systems, Inc. was born in 1970 as a division of Weldinghouse, Inc. with partners Tom Rini and George Asadorian in Cleveland, Ohio.  The business grew as did the Asadorian family. In time Cutting Systems spun off from Weldinghouse with George’s twin sons, Kevan and Kris at the helm. They brought with them the family tradition of good corporate citizenry, priding themselves in always striving for superior customer service.

Similar to the means by which technology harnesses the power of plasma, the Asadorian brothers sought a way to harness their company’s growth in the cutting machine industry. Through the process of strategic planning and successful business environment navigation, their growth strategies have really worked well from corporate structuring to finances and marketing.

The result from the marketing side was the development of four new distinct cutting machines for the steel fabrication industries, general manufacturing, and the steel service sector.  Their new “Predator Series” of CNC controlled cutting machines include the Viper, Raptor, Sabercut, and the Kodiak. These extraordinary machines provide the strength and versatility to meet any industrial cutting application using either Oxy/Fuel or High-Definition plasma cutting processes individually or in concert with each other on the same machine. 

Cutting System’s “Predator Series” has recently captured the interest of the producers of “Modern Marvels” a popular History Channel program, who seek to feature the machines on an upcoming series titled “World’s Sharpest”.                        

For now, the Asadorian brothers continue to follow the road map outlined in their strategic plan.  They deal daily with customers that include Loveman Steel Corporation, Earl M. Jorgenson, NPK, American Tank & Fabrication and JIT Steel. They have added the appropriate personnel to their sales and service departments along the way. 

This long time Cleveland Company is now situated in a home with the space to shoulder the growth that their futures hold. Kevan and Kris diligently continue to map out the years ahead with a steady plan and lightning in a bottle.