Ward Hi-Tech new agency finds ready buyers

Within a few weeks of launching the new agency, the company struck a deal with a major supplier of machined forgings to supply an SFM Model CHT56 for producing, amongst other things, a range of lengthy forged rods used in the manufacture of tracked vehicles. The machine had to be rigid and powerful enough to cope with the arduous machining process and have the capacity to allow deep internal bores to be machined to a fine finish. SFM's CHT56 provided the solution ideal. With a swing of 1,420 mm and heavy duty headstock, the machine comfortably accommodated the heavy adjustable fixture necessary to hold the customer's range of components, and the robust boring station option allowed a 150 mm diameter by 2.5m long Sandvik balanced boring bar to be employed to produce the internal diameters. So successful was the initial installation that the client quickly decided to return and order a further two SFM machines to similar specification. "Seldom have we had such an immediate positive reaction to the launch of a new agency," said Ward Hi-Tech UK sales manager Mike Burke. "Shortly after confirming this initial order for these three SFM lathes at a combined value of around £700,000, we sold a model CST42 with 1,070 mm swing by 4,000mm between centres valued at over £220,000 to an existing customer of ours based in the Midlands. "All in all, we are over the moon with the results and by the reaction generally that we are getting to the SFM product range."