Eight sliding-head mill-turn lathes sold at Star open house

A total of 150 visitors from 91 companies visited the company's Melbourne, Derbyshire technical centre between 8 and 10 November 2011, with this figure representing a significant increase, compared with last year's show. The eight companies placing orders were all subcontractors, two of which were new to Star GB. The mill-turn centres sold spanned the capacity range from 16 mm through 20 mm to 32 mm, with four 32 mm bar capacity units sold. Managing director Bob Hunt said: "As a direct result of the show, we have good opportunities for further business, all from new customers, which, if achieved, will bring order intake to nearly £2 million. "Media reports tend to highlight news that British manufacturing is struggling. However, we seldom hear about the thousands of highly skilled and dedicated SMEs around the country which, because of their ongoing investment in the latest manufacturing technology, are now benefitting with full order books." The company reports that this sentiment was echoed by a larger than usual number of support exhibitors at the Melbourne show, which included Emmaco (IBAG and Argotech agent), Filtermist, LNS, Werma Signaltechnik, M4 Sciences, Sandvik, Floyd Tooling, Rainford Precision, Iscar, Speciality Lubricants, Pumps & Equipment and LMT Fette. Many gained excellent enquiries, some of which have already resulted in new business. Star Micronics GB's parent company has, following a visit to the company by representatives after the show, made additional machines available to the UK market this year, due to the company's good sales performance.