ShopHardinge online store expands coverage to take in machine spares

With 65,000 products in its online inventory, the ShopHardinge.co.uk e-commerce web site offers purchasers the opportunity to browse, select and purchase a vast range of products, ranging from a simple collet to a sophisticated rotary table. Since its UK launch in the summer of 2011, the shop has become a firm favourite with many UK buyers looking to purchase easily on line with fast, to-the-door deliveries of their purchases. Now, spares for the range of Hardinge and Bridgeport machine tools from popular everyday performance machines to high end 5-axis have been added to the on-line parts list, with stock allowing users trouble-free purchasing of spare parts. "The most popular spare parts can often be replaced by the customer, although Hardinge offers a full service and maintenance facility, when required," explains Rob Beckett (pictured), Hardinge UK's Workholding product manager. "Typically, repairs or replacements are necessary for wear parts such as ballscrews, bearings, filters and valves, and by making these available on the ShopHardinge site the user can now browse the machine manual, identify the components he requires from the parts list, and be advised of stock availability and delivery in a simple click through process." Customers can charge their purchases to their account in the normal way for monthly billing, but there is also the opportunity to purchase via a debit or credit card. "There are other areas of the site that will prove particularly helpful to our distributors," adds Mr Beckett. "After we have allocated them a unique password, as with direct customers they can check stock online and then purchase what they need, without having to phone through. This will greatly streamline the whole purchasing process and ensure we are in a position to provide exceptional levels of support to ensure customers get the products they want, when they want them. "Regularly purchased items or repeat orders are facilitated by a 'Quick Shop' feature that enables a re-order at the click of the mouse and there is an order history section," he adds.