Editor’s Pick

Mills CNC publishes latest Insight

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of machine tools from DN Solutions and Zayer in the UK and Ireland, has published a new winter edition of Insight – the company’s biannual customer-facing magazine. Available in digital format from the company’s website, the latest edition celebrates Mills’ 50th anniversary with a feature article that charts the development and successes of the business over the past five decades.

In addition, this edition of Insight also contains a number of recent customer case studies completed since the last edition in July 2023, as well as retrospective reports on Mills CNC’s attendance at both Seco’s ‘Inspiration through Innovation’ event in October 2023 and Fanuc’s open house in November 2023. There is also a brief write up on the new DN Solutions DVF 4000 five-axis machining centre.

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk/leaders-digest

Record-breaking revenue for Mills CNC

Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of machine tools by DN Solutions and Zayer in the UK and Ireland, and a supplier of advanced automation systems, has had a great 2023. The company, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, announced that combined sales revenue from all of its operations over the past 12 months, surpassed £78m for the first time in its history.

“2023 was a real watershed for the company,” statesTony Dale, Mills CNC’s CEO. “We introduced new models, began selling Zayer machines,and our automation and turnkey solutions business went from strength-to-strength.These factors, combined with higher demand for our more established DN Solutions machine tools, resulted in our best-ever sales performance and I would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.A big ‘shout out’ also goes to our incredible team because, without them, we simply couldn’t have achieved such ground-breaking results.”

For further information www.millscnc.co.uk

Metalex attracts over 98,000 visitors

The organiser of Metalex 2023, which took place at BITEC in Bangkok at the end of November, reports that the show attracted 98,686 visitors across the four-day event. It was the year’s largest gathering of the metalworking community in the ASEAN region, with crowds attracted to an exhibition comprising over 2500 brands and playing host to seven international pavilions. The event also hosted 119 speakers from various associations who imparted their expertise at 41 seminars.

Exhibitors, seminar participants and visitors all played an important part in solidifying the ASEAN region’s metalworking community, which is ready to innovate a new future for business. The organiser of Metalex now looks forward to welcoming everyone again at Metalex 2024, which take place at the same venue on 20-23 November.

For further information www.metalex.co.th

Walter and Heller sign partnership agreement




Walter AG and Heller Maschinenfabrik GmbH have commenced a technology and development partnership that focuses on integrated customer solutions for the machining industry. The companies aim to test, optimise and market their products through the joint development of sustainable machining processes. Walter has held a strong partnership with Heller for many years, both as a customer and supplier. Several Heller machines are in use at Walter’s technology centres and production facilities.

Heller CEO Dr Thorsten Schmidt says: “Walter is an excellent technology partner with extensive tooling expertise and a wealth of experience in machining. Furthermore, Walter provides the tooling technology that can give our customers a direct productivity advantage in metal cutting. Together with the strengths that Heller brings to the table, we’re able to forge a strong partnership in the areas of development and technology.”
For further information www.heller.biz

Hurco bucks the trend with record sales




Against a backdrop of difficult trading conditions in the UK machine tool industry, Hurco Europe’s turnover to the end of its financial year in November 2023 was surprising. It turned out to be a record year for sales, higher than the best previous figure, achieved in 2018.Managing director David Waghorn says: “We delivered a few more lathes than last year and, while the number of machining centres we sold did not increase, their unit price was significantly higher.”

There was also an increase in large machine sales, which increases the value per sale, while many negotiations included requests for extras like mist extraction, through-spindle coolant, probing and longer warranties. Notably, the addition of a collaborative robot raised the value of some orders:the number delivered was two and a half times up on the previous year.
For further information www.hurco.co.uk