600 UK announces new sales director

As head of a global sales team – and in partnership with appointed distributors in key locations – Mr Bamforth takes immediate responsibility for leading 600 UK's sales strategy for all machine tool brands and associated products. These include the Colchester-Harrison Tornado CNC turning centres, Alpha CNC combination lathes, Colchester and Harrison conventional lathes, Storm vertical machining centres (VMCs), Fanuc Robodrill machining centre and Fanuc Robocut EDM machines. 600 UK, based in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, also supplies workholding equipment and other machine tool components, from Parat, Pratt Burnerd International and Crawford Collets – all part of the 600 Group. Mr Bamforth was one of the first sponsored students at T. S. Harrison, which was amalgamated into the 600 Group. On gaining a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from Salford University, he joined the company full-time in 1988 and specialised initially in product design. After spending two years working in service and spares, he became sales office manager for Harrison in 1998 and regional sales manager in 2006. He was closely involved in the cross-over of the Colchester and Harrison lathes ranges and the introduction of CE Marking during the 1990s. "I have worked for the company for many years and seen many changes to our products since the days of the Harrison VHS 450, which was our first computer-controlled lathe. We now have a highly advanced, impressive range of CNC and other machines which are second-to-none in the market. "Since the company underwent its recent restructuring, and concentrated design, supply and manufacturing operations here at Heckmondwike, we are now a lot stronger to move forward. I am very positive about the future and proud to have gained this important new role having been a long-term employee at 600 Group," Mr Bamford added. • In other news, it has been revealed by www.thebusinessdesk.com that 600 Group has said that completion of the second phase of its turnaround strategy has delivered cost savings of £12 million.