Rapidly expanding laser-cutting specialist FC Laser has reached yet another milestone by achieving a monthly turnover of £½m. This follows the recent announcements of a record year that saw the company’s sales grow by 30% over 12 months and customer activity increase by 20% in a single month. FC Laser recently extended its suite of Bystronic laser-cutting machines with the addition of three 10 kW fibre machines automated with the latest ByTrans material load/unload system.

Says FC Laser’s general manager Steve Connolly: “Achieving a turnover over £500,000 in a single month is phenomenal, but it is no surprise because we have worked tirelessly over the years to satisfy customer demand and generate new business. So much of this growth is down to the company’s ethos on how it treats customers and how it supports its employees, who can pat themselves on the back for reaching this milestone.”
For further information www.fclaser.co.uk

Independent tool-holding specialist Gewefa UK signed off 2017 with a record order book. “While undoubtedly there has been uncertainty at periods during the year, we look back on 2017 as being very successful for our own-brand tool-holding products, as well as the equipment we represent on behalf of our partners,” explains Gewefa UK managing director Keith Warner.

“In fact, in 2017 Gewefa UK secured an aerospace order for a programme of tool holders that was the largest ever placed with the company.” Gewefa will exhibit at MACH 2018 (9-13 April) on stand 362 in hall H17, and at Southern Manufacturing (6-8 February) on stand P7.
For further information www.gewefa.co.uk

An initiative to develop industry-ready engineers has seen its first cohort of students graduate. The Institute for Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME), a joint collaboration between Coventry University and Unipart Manufacturing, held a special ceremony in the cathedral grounds to mark three years since its launch.

Seven graduates picked up their BEng degrees: Alicia Prior, Daniel Davey, Daryl Eastgate, Daryl Obe, David Mordi, Joe Howe and Nick Hugill. They have all secured employment, five of them for firms in the automotive, motorsport and metals sectors.
For further information www.ame.co.uk

Sales growth of more than 22% in 2017 compared with the previous 12 months propelled Hurco Europe to another record year and a turnover of £23m. The company sold close to 300 Hurco machining centres and lathes into the UK and Ireland, 38% of which went to first-time users of the company’s machine tools. In addition, under a long-standing agency agreement, the company delivered six German-built Roeders machining centres into the same markets, all but one in five-axis configuration and two with advanced automation.

In parallel with the upturn in business, the number of employees at Hurco Europe has grown to 50, more than a third of whom are service engineers. The number of applications engineers has increased to six, reflecting the level of support that is being provided to the firm’s expanding customer base. One explanation for the company’s growth is a 40% increase in the number of five-axis machining centres sold.
For further information www.hurco.co.uk

Vollmer, the cutting tool and saw blade sharpening specialist, has expanded its UK team to enhance both the service and sales operations of the business.

The manufacturer of precision grinding and erosion machine tools has employed Shaun Hill as its latest addition to the service department, while longstanding service engineer Kieran Rosling has moved into the technical sales department. As a youthful engineer, Hill has hit the ground running with Vollmer technology and is already proving a welcome addition to the team.
For further information www.vollmer-group.com