Washington Metal Fabricators is pleased to announce its latest acquisition of a Trumpf TruLaser 7000 tube laser. This machine can cut tubing up to 8 inches in diameter and up to 3/8 inch thick. It has an automatic loading system that can accept up to 30 feet long tubes and can automatically unload cut tubes up to 21 feet long. The laser cut tubing parts provide improved designs as well as cost savings to benefit our customers.
WMF wants to help you enhance your company's brand. Embossment creates a raised surface that adds texture and a personalized effect to your product as opposed to the flat, smooth surface you would get with silk screening. Our new capabilities allow us to manufacture the embossing dies in house in order to emboss your products economically, no high volume order needed. Your logo becomes permanent and cannot be removed.
Over the last 2 years, Washington Metal Fabricators has invested in 8 major pieces of equipment to improve our machining capabilities. To date, we've purchased four vertical mills, a horizontal mill, a horizontal band saw and two turning centers. These additions complement our fabrication division by improving efficiencies and expanding offerings to our customers. With WMF continually growing, plans to add more equipment is in the works.
On December 20, 2019 the solar panels that had been installed on top of our buildings at Washington Metal were switched on. As the equipment we operate requires a large amount of electricity, this investment will translate to more than $1 million in savings over the next 25 years. About 30% of the electric we use will be produced by our solar panels. Along with solar energy, all of the lights in our facilities have been upgraded to LED to reduce our carbon footprint. WMF is proud to be the 3rd largest business in the state of Missouri to have a private solar ray.
We are thrilled to be named to the 2019 issue of The FABRICATOR® magazine's FAB 40 list for the 8th consecutive year; the FAB 40 list identifies the 40 most successful, U.S. based metal fabricating operations. This is a huge honor for our staff as we continually work to exceed customer demands by cutting costs and improving lead times. Our commitment to our customers has enabled Washington Metal to maintain our spot as one of the top metal fabricators in the nation.