Leyland Trucks has completed the build of its 100,000th DAF CF/XF truck: a CF 530 ‘FAT’ 6×4 drawbar chassis. The truck is part of a batch of four vehicles ordered by DAF Trucks Australia and is shortly to be exported after it was specified for the country’s fuel tanker market. The Leyland production facility has been producing DAF-branded commercial vehicles since the late eighties. Nowadays, Leyland Trucks builds the full range of DAF LF, CF and XF chassis in any configuration.

“This 100,000th CF and XF model produced at the Leyland assembly plant is a hugely significant milestone for Leyland Trucks,” says managing director Brennan Gourdie. “There is a proud heritage of truck building in the UK and at Leyland, culminating with the production of the current DAF line-up. Reaching 100,000 CF and XF chassis is a landmark moment representing an exceptional commitment from everyone here at Leyland and the wider DAF organisation.”

For further information
www.leylandtrucksltd.co.uk

Houghton International has officially moved premises and is now fully operational at the Ronnie Mitten Works site on Shields Road in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The company has consolidated its existing sites into 120,000 sq ft of engineering space at the CA Parsons Works in Heaton, the birthplace of the steam turbine (alongside Houghton’s existing pump repair facility). The new site will enable the company to be more efficient and flexible, while simultaneously creating significant space for future growth. Houghton has retained its existing large machine facility on Shields Road, which is adjacent to its new workshop.

For further information
www.houghton-international.com

Following a free R&D intervention by the University of Sheffield’s AMRC, a precision engineering SME has been shown how an investment of just £20 could bring about a huge improvement in its manufacturing process and unlock significant savings. The AMRC was able to show management at Chesterfield-based subcontractor CBE+ that with a new tool holder, which would cost £60 rather than the £40 one currently in use, it could attain a 10-15% improvement in tool life. Funds from the HVM Catapult paid for the project as part of a commitment to working with SME manufacturers.

For further information
www.amrc.co.uk

Yamazaki Mazak has unveiled a new structure to its northern sales division as it continues its investment in helping customers recover and adapt to evolving market conditions. The revised structure will stretch from the Scottish border down to – and including – Warwickshire and the entirety of Wales.

Mazak’s newly defined territory will be overseen by general sales manager – northern region, Tony Creamer (pictured), with individual territories managed by five experienced area sales managers: Mark Ireland – Cumbria, Durham and Northumberland; Joe Trozzo – Yorkshire; Karl Hargreaves – Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside; Stephen Bower – Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and East Staffordshire; and Neil Coggins – Shropshire, Warwickshire, West Staffordshire and Wales.

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk

CGTech, the developer of Vericut software, and CNC machine-tool specialist Makino Milling Machine Co Ltd, have renewed their strategic corporate partnership to better serve their mutual customer base. Makino and CGTech have worked together for over 30 years. Says CGTech president Jon Prun: “Manufacturers who buy Makino machines have invested in world-leading technology. Our aim is to offer a software solution designed to help purchasers of Makino machines get up and running quickly, while protecting their investment in the long term.”

For further information www.cgtech.co.uk