The popularity of XYZ Machine Tools’ Open House (www.xyzmachinetools.com) events was confirmed by the recent one held at its Sheffield showroom — the smallest of the company’s five showrooms, with just five machines on display.

Traditionally these events see the showroom stock sold on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, and the Sheffield machines were soon spoken for.

By the end of the day, a total of 23 machines had been sold — valued at just under £1 million. As with all XYZ showrooms, the machines on display cover control options supplied as standard by the company — ProtoTrak and Siemens.

This means that demonstrations of both — plus the relevant training — can be provided for local customers.

Nigel Atherton, XYZ Machine Tools’ managing director, said: “The response from customers at this event was brilliant. This success is backed by continuing good levels of business across our range of machines from a wide variety of customers.

“Hopefully, this confidence among machine tool buyers and the UK manufacturing sector in general will remain for the foreseeable future. We are also seeing strong sales from across Europe, with record numbers being generated.”

XYZ Machine Tools continues to expand its portfolio, with recent introductions including the LR range of vertical machining centres and the UMC5X gantry-style five-axis machine.