Hurco Europe Open House boosts new financial year

The company said that this represented the best attendance ever and gave a boost to the second month of the company's new financial year, which had already started well with 37 orders placed in November 2011. Hurco's turnover in its last financial year was 50% up on 2009/10 and exceeded that of the previous best year – 2008 – by 25%. Lathe sales doubled to account for 20% of new machine orders, while 44% of business was with firms that had not previously used Hurco machines. Dave Waghorn, managing director, commented: "Our buoyant sales allowed us to employ a further seven staff across the company last year, mainly in technical support, service and spares. "A further consequence of the high level of machining and turning centre sales is that Hurco will take its largest ever stand (250 m2) at MACH 2012 (16-20 April, Birmingham NEC). "This is just as well, as we will exhibit our second-largest machine, the 45 tonne DCX22 bridge-type machining centre with 2,200 by 1,700 by 750 mm travels." The company also reports that average order values have increased, compared to previous years. Part of the reason is the migration of 4-axis machining centre users to higher value 5-axis models, which, says Hurco, "are selling particularly well". A dozen mid-range VMX30U 5-axis models alone were shipped in 2010/11, and Mr Waghorn expects that figure to double next year. Further reasons for the higher unit order value is the increasing popularity of extra functionality, such as higher spindle speed options, full swarf management, through-tool coolant, and, especially, part and tool probing, the supply of which was 40% up on last year.