Further changes at 600 Lathes

The company is the 600 Group's UK machine tool design and manufacturing activity, located in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire. Colchester-Harrison CNC lathes are assembled there, while China-made Dalian CNC machine tools and manual lathes are received here. Mike Berry, previously sales director, has been made general manager of the company and Jonathan Wright, previously head of its engineering design department, has been appointed engineering director. In addition, the Machine Tool Division has been re-formed and David Richardson appointed its managing director. Mr Richardson is to concentrate the Group’s efforts on delivering quality engineering expertise, cutting edge products and first class after sales service. “My responsibility is to re-focus and re-energise all aspects of the Group’s machine tools activities in order that we supply the correct technology, the correct quality, the correct delivery, the correct price structure and the correct service and support. “Every facet of our machine tool production process is currently being reviewed to ensure that we produce and deliver the best quality machines at competitive prices. We will be bringing interesting and exciting new proposals to the market in the very near future that will help to see us all through these testing times.” A major building refurbishment is underway in the Heckmondwike factory, home of the Colchester-Harrison lathes, in order to further improve manufacturing efficiency and facilitate enhanced quality control procedures. New, designed-for-purpose machines are being added to the portfolio. Just launched is the new Alpha XS 2800 is targeted at the oil and gas, defence, aerospace and heavy engineering industries, while the new heavyweight Colchester-Harrison TT6 turn-mill centre, which provides overlapped (twin turning) capabilities to provide maximum optimised productivity will be available in early 2009.