XYZ Machine Tools (www.xyzmachinetools.com) has appointed Berlin-based Piper Werkzeugmaschinen as its distributor for the full range of XYZ machines in Germany and Austria.

Managing the XYZ business for Piper is Andy Ostheimer, who is already very familiar with the company’s machine range — in particular, those machines with the ProtoTrak control system.

Piper joins a number of European distributors covering 17 European countries (XYZ also has representation in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates).

European growth is a key target for the Burlescombe-based business as it aims to maintain its record of year-on-year growth.

Export sales director Andrew Kilshaw said: “The opportunity to work with Piper in Germany will greatly improve our export sales potential. Moreover, the experience that Andy already has of the XYZ range will make the transition much smoother.

“This appointment will give XYZ a much more dedicated and direct approach to the German market and provide the technical support that is expected by customers in Germany.”