Agie Charmilles, the EDM and milling machine tool specialist, has reported that demand for its Mikron 5-axis machines (High-Speed and High-Performance models), has remained strong in 2009 and accounted for 70 per cent total sales turnover.
Sales into the aerospace, motor sport, medical and high end mould tool and die sectors have been particularly encouraging.
"Although the EDM market is tough there were some notable successes in 2009. Probably the most significant of these was the high demand for our CUT 20/30 standard wire EDM machines which resulted in 24 machines being sold in the year (6 machines being sold to new GF AgieCharmilles customers)." said Martin Spencer, managing director at Agie Charmilles.
"And last, but by no means least, has been the growth of our customer service business over the last 12 months with sales of our service contract business expanding rapidly."
Targeted marketing campaigns implemented throughout 2009, generated increased sales of its Preventative Maintenance Contracts to existing customers and the launch in November 2009 of Agie Charmilles' new Electrode Plus (an electrode design and manufacturing) service helped the company further improve performance in the last quarter of the year.
Looking forward, Mr Spencer said, "With our new range of Linear Motor (LP) 5-axis machines coming on stream in the next few months - we're confident that we will maintain our position as one of the UK's most successful suppliers of 5-axis machine tool technology in 2010 and beyond."