A new £1m factory extension has been unveiled by PP Control & Automation as the company singled its intention to double sales from £20m to £40m by 2021. The company, which works with machine builders around the world, has added a further 1000 sq m of production space to its existing 4,500 sq m facility in Cheslyn Hay, Staffordshire, in order to facilitate growth in new technology markets and interest from a wider international customer base.
For further information
www.ppcanda.com
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK, has reported stronger than expected first quarter sales. Machine deliveries and new machine tool orders for Q1 2017 were up 78% and 30% respectively on the year before. Among the reasons is a number of sales relating to large-capacity horizontal borers, double-column milling machines and vertical-turning lathes, most notably from manufacturers operating in the nuclear sector. In addition, the decision by Mills to offer customers the Siemens control option across its range of machining centres has paid dividends and resulted in a number of sales, most notably from new aerospace component customers.
For further information
www.millscnc.co.uk
Quaker Chemical Corp and Houghton International Inc, companies with a combined 250-year history as providers of metalworking cutting fluids and coolants, have executed a definitive agreement to merge. Both companies are headquartered in the Philadelphia area. Under the terms of the agreement, Houghton International shareholders will receive $172.5m of cash and 24.5% ownership of the combined company, representing approximately 4.3 million shares of newly-issued Quaker Chemical stock. In addition, Quaker Chemical will assume Houghton International’s debt and cash, with net debt of approximately $690m at year-end 2016.
For further information
www.quakerchem.com
LPW Technology has received a strategic investment from Stratasys to develop end-to-end metal powder solutions for additive manufacturing. As a result, LPW plans to invest in excess of £20m over the next two years, which will be focused on establishing new facilities in both the UK and US. In bringing Stratasys on board as a strategic investor, LPW remains majority-owned by founder Dr Phil Carroll, who will continue to lead the business supported by LPW’s independent management team. The Stratasys investment represents the first consolidated partnership arrangement in LPW’s approach of developing close working relationships with 3D printing machine manufacturers.
For further information www.lpwtechnology.com
Yamazaki Mazak has appointed Richard Smith (pictured centre) as its new managing director for all of the company’s European operations. He takes over from Marcus Burton (left), who will remain with the company in a new non-executive role. Smith, who takes up his new position this month, first joined Mazak in 1987 as a graduate production engineer, and over the past 30 years has undertaken a number of key roles in manufacturing, purchasing, customer service and product management. His most recent position was deputy group managing director Europe (operations), and before that as managing director – UK and Ireland sales division.
Smith will be supported by Bruno Munier (right), who recently assumed the role of deputy European managing director – sales. Munier joined the business from SandvikCoromant, where he worked for 19 years, reaching the position of Europe and Middle East (EMEA) president. He will be responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing strategy for Mazak’s European operating companies.
For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk
