XYZ Machine Tools closed out 2017 by posting an increase in order intake for the eight months from May to December. This reflects the positive attitude among manufacturing businesses in the UK and Europe, along with the arrival of new machine tool models to the XYZ portfolio.
XYZ’s UK order book increased by more than 23 per cent from May to December 2017. In addition, orders from the rest of Europe grew by 19 per cent, indicating that the business optimism is not just restricted to the UK.
XYZ managing director, Nigel Atherton, commented: “The effect of the exchange rate has been a double-edged sword with UK manufacturers benefitting through increased exports, this is reflected in their willingness to invest in new capital equipment to meet increased demand. The counter to this, is that import costs, including machine tools, have risen. At XYZ we have adapted to this by improving our offering to customers. An example of which is the LR series of vertical machining centres, which offer an excellent price/performance ratio, as does the UMC-5X five-axis machine, both of which are opening new opportunities for us.”
The first of the XYZ LR (Linear Rail) machines arrived at XYZ’s Burlescombe headquarters at the start of this accounting period; since then over 100 machines have been sold. At the start of 2018 several more machines were added to the XYZ Heavy-Duty (HD) range of vertical machining centres, including the completely new XYZ 660/800/1100 HD variants that feature larger and heavier construction for increased productivity.
“2017 ended very strongly for XYZ Machine Tools and, with the new machine developments already announced, along with several other exciting introductions that will be unveiled at MACH, we are looking forward to 2018 continuing the positive trend. The positive results have also meant that we can invest in the business, bringing in additional people to further enhance the service that we provide to customers.”
