Laser Clean wasn’t founded by a marketing company that bought a laser. It was built by an engineer with over 30 years’ experience machining, repairing and maintaining critical industrial equipment — and that experience shapes every recommendation, every project and every result we deliver.
David McAuley, Founder of Laser Clean
David’s career began in 1989 with a trade apprenticeship in precision engineering, qualifying as a skilled machinist. This early hands-on experience developed a deep understanding of precision measurement, manufacturing processes, and practical problem-solving—forming the technical foundation that has underpinned his career ever since.
He continued working in engineering alongside a period of service in the Fire Service, which reinforced habits that have stayed with him ever since: careful preparation, working safely under pressure, and taking responsibility for the outcome.
In 2011, David founded and operated an in-situ machining company in Western Australia, delivering on-site machining, laser alignment, shutdown maintenance and heavy equipment repair for the state’s iron ore and gold mining sectors until 2023.
Laser Clean was established to bring that same engineering rigour home to Northern Ireland — pairing advanced laser surface preparation technology with over 30 Years of practical, high-stakes industrial judgement.
Before establishing Laser Clean, the engineering experience behind the company included founding and operating a specialist in-situ machining business serving Western Australia’s mining and heavy-industry sectors.
The work involved precision machining, laser alignment, shutdown maintenance and complex repairs carried out directly on major mining equipment. These were high-value assets operating in demanding environments, where planning, accuracy, safe working and reliable delivery were essential.
Projects often had to be completed within tightly controlled shutdown periods. There was little room for guesswork: the equipment had to be assessed correctly, the process had to be planned properly and the finished work had to support a safe return to service.
The technology used by Laser Clean is different, but the engineering principles are exactly the same.
The material, contamination, access and required finish are considered before the work begins, reducing the risk of choosing the wrong process.
Laser settings and working methods are selected for the specific asset rather than applying one standard setup to every job.
Where laser cleaning is not the most suitable solution, Laser Clean will say so and recommend a more appropriate approach.
The aim is not simply to remove material. It is to protect the substrate, support the next stage of work and help extend the useful life of the asset.
A solid grounding in precision engineering
In-situ engineering in remote and hostile environments
Applied to the LASER CLEAN business that we see today
A solid grounding in precision engineering
In-situ engineering in remote and hostile environments
Applied to the LASER CLEAN business that we see today
Precision Engineering
Trained as a fitter and machinist — measurement, fabrication, practical problem-solving
Engineering & Fire Service
Continued engineering work alongside Fire Service duty — reinforcing safety-first planning and performing reliably under pressure
Western Australia (2011–2023)
Founded and ran an in-situ machining company serving iron ore and gold mine sites — on-site machining, laser alignment, shutdown maintenance
Laser Clean, Northern Ireland
Founded to combine laser surface preparation technology with that engineering judgement
Three laser systems
Fully mobile across Northern Ireland
Preparation and protective coating support
Whether the requirement involves production equipment, structural steel or a specialist restoration application, Laser Clean will assess the project honestly and recommend the most appropriate route forward.
David’s career began on the workshop floor, machining, fabricating and solving practical engineering problems long before laser cleaning technology existed. That grounding in precision measurement and hands-on problem-solving still shapes how every Laser Clean project is approached today.
A period of service within the Fire Service reinforced habits that have stayed with him ever since: careful preparation, working safely under pressure, clear teamwork and taking responsibility for the outcome. Those same principles now govern how Laser Clean plans and delivers on site.
That question took David to Western Australia, where he founded and operated an in-situ machining company delivering specialist engineering services to the state’s mining and heavy industry sectors — on-site machining, laser alignment, shutdown maintenance and heavy mining equipment repair, often on assets that could not afford to fail.
Laser Clean was established to bring that same engineering rigour home to Northern Ireland, pairing advanced laser surface preparation technology with three decades of practical industrial judgement about how equipment is built, operated and maintained.
David’s career began on the workshop floor, machining, fabricating and solving practical engineering problems long before laser cleaning technology existed. That grounding in precision measurement and hands-on problem-solving still shapes how every Laser Clean project is approached today.
A period of service within the Fire Service reinforced habits that have stayed with him ever since: careful preparation, working safely under pressure, clear teamwork and taking responsibility for the outcome. Those same principles now govern how Laser Clean plans and delivers on site.
That question took David to Western Australia, where he founded and operated an in-situ machining company delivering specialist engineering services to the state’s mining and heavy industry sectors — on-site machining, laser alignment, shutdown maintenance and heavy mining equipment repair, often on assets that could not afford to fail.
Laser Clean was established to bring that same engineering rigour home to Northern Ireland, pairing advanced laser surface preparation technology with three decades of practical industrial judgement about how equipment is built, operated and maintained.
Trained as a fitter and machinist, building a foundation in measurement, fabrication and practical problem-solving that still influences every project delivered today.
A Fire Service background means safe planning isn’t an afterthought — it’s the starting point for every site.