Editor’s Pick

New XYZ showroom draws the crowds

XYZ Machine Tools was pleasantly surprised by the number of people attending the opening of its latest showroom. Located just off the M62 near Huddersfield, the 5000 sq ft showroom contains an extensive selection of XYZ machines, all under power and available for customer demonstrations and training. Thanks to its proximity to the motorway network, visitors travelled from across the north of England for the open day, with orders received for six machines and many requests for quotes.

Nigel Atherton, managing director at XYZ Machine Tools, says: “Due to its location we expected a good response from customers, but even we underestimated the turnout. In total we had 94 people from 55 companies attend the day, about 50% more than we anticipated. Our 40-space car park was overflowing at times. Overall it was very encouraging and indicates that there’s still lots of positive sentiment in the manufacturing sector.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Maktek Eurasia opens this week

Maktek Eurasia 2022 opens its doors this week (26 September to 1 October), delivering the 7th edition of this biennial international trade fair for machine tools, cutting tools, metrology solutions and CADCAM software. Taking place at the Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center in Istanbul, the last show in 2018 (cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic) attracted 56,526 visitors from 89 countries.

This year’s exhibition will showcase technologies for manufacturing industries that include machine building, automotive, mould and die, defence, aerospace, metals and domestic appliance. The show will take place across 14 halls covering 120,000 sq m of exhibition space. Around 1000 exhibitors from 30 countries will be in attendance.
For further information https://maktekfuari.com/en/

JCB creates over 150 jobs

JCB has created more than 150 new jobs for apprentices and graduates with an £8m investment in its early careers program. The new recruits started their jobs last week as JCB focuses on training the next generation of manufacturers, engineers and business specialists.

JCB Group HR director Max Jeffery says: “Competition for places on the JCB apprenticeship and graduate schemes is always fierce and this year we had more 2000 applications. We set the bar very high when we recruit people, and many JCB apprentices in recent years have gone on to win national awards, which is testament to the quality of the schemes we run. Our new intake of apprentices and graduates will play a fundamental role in shaping this business in the future.”
For further information, www.jcb.com

HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II – 1926 – 2022

The whole team at MTI was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. She was a great supporter of industry throughout her reign. Indeed, Her Majesty inaugurated many UK engineering projects, including the Channel Tunnel and the Dartford Crossing, which bears her name: The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge. She was fond of technology, famously using online video calls to meet people during the pandemic. She will be greatly missed by the UK manufacturing and engineering community, and everyone at MTI extends their heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family on their profound loss.
For further information www.royal.uk

Queen’s Award and relocation for CSS

Paignton-based CSS (Casting Support Systems) Group is having a year to remember with a visit to Buckingham Palace to collect a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and relocation to a purpose-built 60,000 sq ft factory. The relocation will see each of the three group company’s sharing the available space, with the toolmaking side of the business being the stand-out area for development.

With recent investment in new machining technology, the move involved relocating six machining centres from XYZ Machine Tools. CSS managing director James Head estimated that it would take three days per machine to complete the move. However, a concerted effort from XYZ’s machine movers and service engineers saw all six machines back in production, including laser calibration to within 6 µm/m, within seven days. Says Head: “It was an incredible effort by everyone concerned and, as a result of the prompt and efficient service, what we are now calling ‘XYZ alley’ was back machining parts in very quick time.”
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com