The well documented downturn in the oil and gas market hit a number of subcontract companies hard, and while many chose to make cutbacks, Craigellachie-based Standfast Precision Engineering decided to stand firm and resist the temptation to downsize. As a result, when the work started to return, the company was fully manned with all the skills it needed to meet demand.

Prior to the market cooling-off, Standfast had looked at further machine investment, but delayed until this year, replacing its existing XYZ TC 250 turning centres with the latest TC 400 models.
“Working with materials such as Super Duplex and Inconel meant we needed a substantial machine, and while the TC 250 machines coped well, the TC 400 has improved things considerably,” says Standfast Precision Engineering director Malcolm Fraser. “The machines may look similar, but the construction of the TC 400 models is more substantial and their added rigidity means they can handle bigger cuts in these materials, while holding tolerances for longer. Our tooling consumption has also reduced.”
When Standfast Precision initially looked at turning centres from XYZ, it only ordered one TC 250. However, within three months a second machine was being installed.
“We work to some tight deadlines with extremely short lead-times, and having a second machine was important so we could have capacity available at short notice,” says Fraser. “Therefore, when it came time to upgrade to the TC 400 machines it made perfect sense to bring two in at the same time, with XYZ taking the old machines away in part-exchange. All of the XYZ machines we’ve bought have played a role in moving the company forward and enhanced our ability to continue investing.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com