Burlescombe-based XYZ Machine Tools has reported a 14% increase for its latest financial year (to April), taking its turnover to just short of £30 million — the highest-ever total.

This figure was achieved thanks to an increase in the sales of its ProtoTrak-controlled mills and lathes (sales of its vertical machining centres and turning centres remained stable).

As the company continues to grow, it has invested in additional staff and has developed and strengthened its service department.

Martyn Jones has been appointed as area sales manager, with responsibility for the Sheffield, Derby and Coventry areas.

In addition, XYZ is extending the support that it provides to the education sector, which generates almost £2.5 million of sales per year, with the appointment of John Aspinall, who will work alongside education sales director Kerry Kidd.

Furthermore, recognising the UK-wide shortage of skilled people who can be recruited as service engineers, XYZ has instigated a training programme to develop its own service engineers.

The first recruit, Alan Powell, has already started training and others are expected to join him in the near future.

The company is also investing in a new 5,500sq ft purpose-built Midlands showroom that will replace the Nuneaton facility and is due to open next February.

Managing director Nigel Atherton said: “A big ‘thank you’ to all our customers that have continued to support XYZ in what was a record-breaking year for the company. It is encouraging to see that the ProtoTrak control continues to revolutionise the way in which companies are approaching their metal cutting tasks.”