Omax to join with Hypertherm

Abrasive waterjet machine specialist Omax Corporation plans to join forces with Hypertherm, a US-based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software.

The move follows the signing of a definitive merger agreement that establishes Omax as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hypertherm. Upon the closing of the transaction, expected on or around 9 April, Omax’s direct-drive pumps, software and applications technologies
will combine with Hypertherm’s complementary portfolio of intensifier-based pumps and abrasive recycling systems to form a significant waterjet technology offering.
For further information www.omax.com

Strong sales at XYZ clearance event

XYZ Machine Tools’ recent clearance day at its Devon showroom and headquarters generated sales on the day of over £760,000, with 17 machines sold covering everything from a trainer lathe through to the company’s flagship UMC-5X simultaneous five-axis machining centre.

“The day was extremely busy with more companies attending than normal, which is great encouragement given the ongoing uncertainty and farce that is Brexit,” says Nigel Atherton, managing director at XYZ Machine Tools. “During the day we had visitors from 27 companies attending. More encouraging was the fact that 12 of those placed orders on the day, with potential for more sales in the coming weeks. The diversity of machines being ordered was also encouraging, with the UMC-5X being sold to a customer who had shown interest when we initially launched the machine over 12 months ago, just showing that it pays to be patient.”
The XYZ clearance days are an opportunity for customers to secure a good deal on ex-showroom stock as it is replaced every 12-18 months to keep the machines on display as up-to-date as possible.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Widia publishes new catalogue

Widia has published its Advances 2019 product catalogue, which is available in the UK from Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC).

The 100-page publication features new product developments and extensions to the range of solid carbide and indexable tooling from Widia. Highlighted within are a number of new milling, hole-making and turning product lines. A particular focus is the Widia VSM890-12 series of shoulder and face-milling tools. The eight-edged, double-sided indexable range is said to be one of very few economic industry solutions that provide true 90° milling.
For further information www.itc-ltd.co.uk

Lloyds to sponsor MACH 2020

Lloyds Bank will be the headline sponsor of MACH 2020 for the fifth consecutive show, says organiser, the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA).

The next edition of MACH is scheduled to take place on 20-24 April 2020 at the NEC, Birmingham. This latest commitment showcases a decade of support for the show, Lloyds Bank having been a long-standing supporter of MACH and the manufacturing sector. The bank has recently reaffirmed this commitment by increasing its lending commitment to UK manufacturers. Having originally pledged to lend in excess of £6bn to manufacturers between 2013 and 2018, Lloyds has committed a further £1bn per year of new lending through to the end of 2020.
For further information www.machexhibition.com

£5m AME skills funding

AME (the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering), which is a collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing Group to equip engineering graduates with the experience and skills employers need, is to be extended after receiving over £5m of funding.

Work is due to start on refurbishing one of the site’s buildings, with a view to it being officially opened by the end of 2019. AME was established at Unipart Manufacturing in Coventry four years ago. Around 120 students are currently studying at the site and, since AME was launched, 100% of those graduating have been employed in engineering jobs.
For further information www.coventry.ac.uk/ame