UK NEWS

Open house

Citizen Machinery UK’s annual open house event, which is being staged on 3-5 October, will feature a pre-launch preview of the company’s latest generation Cincom D25 sliding headstock, a 10-axis CNC turn-mill centre. Complementing the 12 Citizen and Miyano machines to be installed at the showcase event will be the company’s Low-Frequency Vibration (LFV) technology, which is being launched in the UK. LFV is now available on the smaller capacity Cincom L12-VIIILFV. This additional model is the next phase of Citizen’s programme to extend this production advantage across the company’s product range following its UK launch of the L20 machine type last year.
For further information www.citizenmachinery.co.uk

Industrial auction nets six-figure sum

The assets of a steel fabrication business that went into liquidation fetched a six-figure sum when they were sold through an online auction. BPI Auctions handled the sale of metalworking equipment and vehicles from Midland Metal Fabrications, which ceased trading in May. Lots included industrial equipment ranging from CNC machine tools and welding extraction units to a gas-fired spray booth, welding robot and powder coating line. Marcus Smith from BPI Auctions says that conducting online auctions of a liquidated company’s assets simplifies the sales process for both vendor and purchaser.

For further information www.bpiauctions.com

Three new members for the AFRC

The University of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC) has welcomed three major new members from the manufacturing sector. Agreements have been signed with Kuka Robotics, Open Mind Technologies and Metalube, all joining as tier two members.

The companies will share knowledge with the AFRC, working with the £60m research centre on collaborative projects, partnerships and problem-solving exercises in particular manufacturing processes. “We’re pleased to add another three highly innovative businesses to our list of partners and are looking forward to the collaborative projects which evolve as a result,” says Dr Lynne O’Hare, chief business development officer.
For further information www.strath.ac.uk

XYZ strengthens customer-facing team

A combination of recruitment and internal promotions has strengthened the customer service team at XYZ Machine Tools, reflecting ongoing business growth and the company’s move into the sale of five-axis machining centres. After 10 years supporting customers through the XYZ programming helpline, Mark Higson is moving across to the newly created role of manufacturing engineer. This will see him provide detailed support to customers, with emphasis on developing demonstration parts and proving-out components. Moving in the opposite direction is Matt Hill, who will be adding his expertise to the programming helpline desk.

Two changes in the service department will see Steve Davie put his 12 years’ experience working across machine-build and electrical testing in the XYZ factory to use, benefitting customers across the southwest of England and south Wales in a customer-facing role as service engineer. Teaming up with Davie in the service team is new recruit Jas Chaven, who joins XYZ after spending 10 years in a machine tool service role.
For further information www.xyzmachinetools.com

Mazak broadens aftersales support

Yamazaki Mazak has invested further in its aftersales support with the announcement of eight new service engineers. This latest intake includes two additional in-house engineers, who will work to co-ordinate the daily activities of the field-based specialist team. Reducing the need for engineer call-outs where possible, the increased amount of in-house engineers will also ensure that customers have access to quick-response technical support over the phone, helping them get their machines back up and running as soon as possible.   

The support team out in the field has also grown, with Mazak employing an additional member for both the install team and planned service team, as well as taking on four new engineers for the breakdown team. This growth is in line with Mazak’s goal to arrive at the site of a breakdown within 24 hours, regardless of geographical location, and get customer machines back into production within a 72-hour time frame.

    

For further information www.mazakeu.co.uk