When a Chinese mayonnaise factory encountered issues cracking eggs, it turned to an East Yorkshire business for a solution.
It was not however, the type of business you might expect to have the answer.
In fact, it was a manufacturer of CO2-powered lasers - capable of cutting through metals, plastics, rubber and glass – which stepped in to help.
Luxinar, based in Hessle, East Yorkshire, has been at the forefront of the laser industry for more than two decades.
Formerly known as Rofin-Sinar, it supplies industrial lasers to countries across the globe, and works with some of the world’s biggest names in fashion, food and drink, and automotives.
Lee Popplewell, technical key account manager at Luxinar, said: “There are a huge range of industries which we supply to.
“To name a few, we work in the medical, automotive, food and drink, footwear and fashion sectors.
“Our lasers are used for everything from putting cuts into bread rolls and marking brands onto olives, to patterning shoes and labelling alcohol bottles.”
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But how did Luxinar end of supplying one of its industrial-scale lasers to a mayonnaise factory?
Russell Jeynes, operations director, explained.
“From what I understand they were having some problems in the factory with the egg shells,” he said.
“The factory wanted one of our lasers to cut a very thin line around the middle of the egg, so they can lift the lid off the top more easily.
“We are fortunate that we work in so many different industries. It means if one is going through a bad spell, it does not affect us too much.”
Luxinar’s lasers come in a variety of powers.
Current lasers are available from 125 watts up to 650 watts, but testing is in the final stages for a more powerful, one kilowatt model which hopes to be released later this year.
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“The way to think about lasers is to compare them to a car,” Mr Popplewell said.
“The more powerful the laser, the faster it can work. What we are finding is companies which already have one of our lasers are coming back to us saying they want a bigger one so they can work more efficiently.
“With the 1,000W model, there is only one other company doing that power in this type of CO2 laser. We have finished the prototype and are hoping to launch late this year or early next year.”
The variety of uses for the lasers is staggering.
Where once upon a time faded denim jeans were made using chemicals, they now use lasers such as Luxinar’s to make the patterning.
Patterning and grooves on the soles of shoes are another common use, as is cutting and shaping car parts including bumpers, windscreen wipers and seatbelts.
Luxinar’s standing in the laser industry is clear to see.
“We very much work to be the Porsche of the laser world,” Mr Jeynes said.
“We are the only company in the 海角视频 doing lasers in this way. Our main rival is over in the US.
“We strive to create technologies which can enhance our world. We are constantly developing new technologies to try and stay ahead of the game.”
Luxinar hit the headlines recently when the company rebranded from its former name, Rofin-Sinar.
Nestled at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, passers-by could scarcely imagine the futuristic technology produced at Luxinar’s East Yorkshire facility.
In the words of Mr Jeynes, the manufacturer is “pushing the boundaries of physics.”
After just an hour of being shown around Luxinar’s home, it is clear to see the business is at the very forefront of its industry.
How to contact Phil Winter and Business Live
Business Live's Hull & East Yorkshire journalist is Phil Winter, also the business editor at the Hull Daily Mail and Hull Live.
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