Despite Brexit uncertainty, impressive sales throughout the automotive, oil and gas, and medical markets in particular are reported.
Alan Mucklow, managing director UK & Ireland Sales Division for Yamazaki Mazak, comments: “Mazak is delighted to announce that 2018 proved to be the company’s best ever year for UK machine sales.
“The resurgence of the oil and gas market was much-welcomed, and we saw great success with the sales of machines from the larger section of our portfolio, such as our Integrex e-H range of multi-tasking machine tools, as well as our highly versatile Megaturn vertical turning centres.”
He continues: “A particularly pleasing aspect of our 2018 sales performance was the volume of commodity machines, including the UK-made entry-level QT Compact turning centre range, and the high-performance Quick Turn series. The company has invested heavily in improving our European Manufacturing Centre in Worcester in recent years, and it is especially rewarding to see that investment translate into shorter lead times and strong sales for UK-built machines.
“2018 also proved to be another fantastic year for UK sales of machines from our laser processing portfolio, following the recent additions to our Direct Diode Laser range, as well as the newly-unveiled 8.0 kW and 10.0 kW additions to our highly popular Optiplex Fiber series.”
Concludes Mucklow: “2019 has already started off strongly, having generated an impressive volume of enquiries from our presence at Autosport Engineering in January. This year was the first time we exhibited across the weekend, rather than just the ‘trade’ days, and it paid real dividends being the only machine tool manufacturer with a visible presence.”
