n September 2020, while much of the world remained shut down and in limbo, Fab Tech Wastewater Solutions LLC invested in a new Roto Hornet 1000 CNC plasma pipe cutter to meet a new customer’s demand. “We have a new customer that is going to send a volume of pipes to work on—plus, [we wanted] a general upgrade as well,” says David Umphenour, administrative services manager at the Warrenton, Missouri-based fabricator.

Up until this equipment upgrade, Fab Tech Wastewater Solutions cut piping manually. “We [were already] using plasma technology and loved its application for our fabrication shop,” Umphenour says.

After a two-week installation period and some initial training, the Roto Hornet 1000 was up and running. “There was not much of a learning curve since we already own a plasma table,” Umphenour says. “Cross-training has been smooth. We use one [operator] mainly for those processes.”

The Roto Hornet 1000 is designed to increase productivity and improve accuracy. “Tubes and branches are easily created using parametric input,” explains Brice Turner, president and CEO of Hornet Cutting Systems LLC based in Valley Center, Kansas. “There is no 3D CAD experience required. Sidewall cuts can be selected from a list of predefined shapes or added from CAD.

“If needed,” he continues, “you can also import 3D CAD files for highly customized pipe cuts. The flexibility provided by the Rotary Tube Pro allows fabricators and manufacturers the ability to work efficiently, reducing costs and boosting productivity.”

Hornet recently launched the Mini Hornet, a new product designed for smaller shops and schools. It comes in 4-ft.-by-4-ft. and 4-ft-by-8-ft. options. “These sizes allow for a smaller footprint while maintaining the quality and precision Hornet products are known for,” Turner says.

The cutting technologies manufacturer also released the Hornet LTX. Its heavy-duty steel construction and footprint offer options for fabricators across all industries. “Because our machines cater to many different industries and processes, we customize training to give the customer confidence in their day-to-day operations, in addition to general machine training,” Turner says.

Hornet is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (from the Department of Defense initiative for veterans and service-disabled veterans who own small businesses) and its products are 100 percent American-made. The company is also ISO 9001:AS9100D certified and is a Hypertherm authorized OEM and service center. Hornet pairs its equipment with efficient nesting software to optimize plate use and ease handling for the machine operator out on the shop floor. “Our CNC cutting machines are designed to be dependable and accurate,” Turner says. “The CAM nesting software is ideal for the metal fabricator, with robust features and options for plate cutting and pipe cutting machines, including our CNC plasma, oxy-fuel and waterjet cutters.”

Prospective customers that outsource metal fabrication often come to Hornet in search of ways to bring capabilities in-house as lead times and shipping costs increase. “For customers who haven’t owned a plasma table before, they often don’t know all of the questions to ask,” Turner says. “This isn’t an issue for Hornet, as we are able to tailor the machine build to support their business functions best. This isn’t an option for many of our competitors.”

Hornet had to adjust to serving customers during a tumultuous pandemic as deliveries halted and on-site visits were put on pause. As a result, installations and servicing of Hornet’s machines were delayed. From these short-lived setbacks, Hornet pivoted to rethink how it could grow from the experience. “The rapidity and unpredictability of the change in the economy last year was a shock to us all,” Turner says. “We quickly saw that while fabrication and manufacturing slowed down, it didn’t stop. Our team worked hard to quickly adjust to the new reality of personal protection and travel requirements—because most of our customers were still in operation, too.”

Hornet took measures to travel and provide service to customers during the pandemic and continue to do so today, albeit using a different strategy. “While some things have changed, the fundamentals haven’t: relationships, service, communication and working hard to add value to our customers are as important as ever.”

Service techs are more skilled at troubleshooting remotely, Hornet’s sales team can virtually meet with customers more efficiently and overall, the team as a whole has grown closer throughout the process. “As tumultuous as this time has been, it has actually been a blessing for Hornet,” Turner says. “We were able to spend significant time investing in our team’s professional development and dug into our processes to make them better.

“Looking back a year later,” he continues, “we are grateful for the support we have received from our customers, employees and communities during lockdown.”

As the world continues to open up, Hornet is ready. “Looking back, I am also grateful for the perspective shift we were given an opportunity to embrace,” Turner says. “Remembering things that we may have forgotten in the bustle of life just a year ago—the value of maintaining a healthy work-life balance; spending time with your spouse, kids and family; having genuine relationships; and valuing our most important business asset—our employees.”