Following the acquisition of its parent company — Hardinge Inc — by Privet Fund Management in the summer of 2018 (www.jonesshipman.com), a restructuring of the group has resulted in a number of changes for Jones & Shipman Hardinge’s operations in the UK.

The company has moved from its long-established Leicester site to a new facility on the Europark industrial estate, near Rugby.

Furthermore, its sister grinding companies in the group — Kellenberger, Hauser, Voumard, Tschudin and Usach — are now represented as distinct brands under the Hardinge global umbrella.

Jones & Shipman Hardinge UK’s managing director, Mike Duignan, said: “It’s a means of clarifying what’s on offer from the significant resource we have within Hardinge Inc.

“For example, Hauser Hardinge is recognised as the leader in jig grinding, so the Hauser name will become associated with that process, whereas Kellenberger Hardinge will be the ‘go to’ for general-purpose universal and cylindrical machines — and so on for all the different group brands.”

In another development, the UK company will be responsible for machine sales and product support across Ireland. There will be no change to the relationship between the UK company and the Okamoto brand, which Jones & Shipman Hardinge represents and supports exclusively in the UK and France.

Mr Duignan said: “This has proven to be a very worthwhile partnership.

“Okamoto machines cover a wide spectrum, but we have developed the market for their surface-grinding machines in particular and have installed a number of machines in the UK.

“Customers have been impressed by the quality and robust build standards of the machines, and they complement the capability that we offer from within the group.