Sales growth of more than 22% in 2017 (compared with the previous 12 months) propelled Hurco Europe Ltd, High Wycombe (www.hurco.co.uk), to another record year — with a turnover of £23 million.

The company sold almost 300 Hurco machining centres and lathes in the UK and Ireland, 38% of which went to first-time users of the company’s machine tools.

Furthermore, under a long-standing agency agreement, the company delivered six German-built Roeders machining centres in the same markets, all but one in five-axis configuration and two with ‘advanced automation’.

In parallel with the upturn in business, the number of employees at Hurco Europe has grown to 50, more than a third of whom are service engineers.

The number of application engineers has increased to six, reflecting the high level of support that is being provided to the firm’s expanding customer base.

Contributing to the company’s growth is a 40% increase in the number of five-axis machining centres sold. Notable also was the propensity for customers to order options, with through-tool coolant machines 25% up on last year (compared with 10 years ago, the increase is more than four-fold).

Similarly, on-machine probing for tools and components has increased by 30% over the last year to reach more than half of installations.

Managing director David Waghorn said: “At our December Open House, we welcomed more than 80 visitors from some 50 companies into our showroom in High Wycombe. Sales of £1.5 million have already been secured in December.

“We look forward to continuing that success at MACH and making 2018 another record year for Hurco.

“We are particularly excited that the show comes at a time when UK and Irish sub-contractors seem to be busier than ever, especially in the automotive supply chain, but also in other sectors — from aerospace and medical to tool and mould making.

“For Hurco to have a year as successful as 2017, contract machining has to be buoyant right across the board.”