‘Our people are at the heart of our business’ – a statement that is often made, but one which is not always supported by actions. No one could accuse the American firm Hypertherm of empty words; all 1,400 employees, or associates, to use the correct Hypertherm terminology, are shareholders of the firm, bringing enormous benefits for both staff and customers. The manufacturer of plasma cutting machines for metal work is represented in the EMEA region by Hypertherm Europe B.V., headquartered in the Netherlands. The subsidiary is responsible for sales of the advanced cutting technology, which is produced exclusively in the United States.