Yamazaki Mazak (www.mazakeu.co.uk) returned from the recent EMO 2019 exhibition in Hanover buoyed by strong machine orders and record visitor numbers to its stand.

The company reported a stand visitor increase of around 5% over the five-day exhibition (when compared to the 2017 show), along with numerous enquiries for the 27 machines and 15 different automation solutions on display.

The most popular machines were the CV5-500 entry-level five-axis machining centre — a new machine designed and built in Europe specifically for the continent’s machine users — and the latest-generation Integrex i-H series machines.

In addition, the company recorded strong interest in its new SmoothAi artificial intelligence CNC and the Quickturn 250MSY turning centre, which is supported by an innovative RoboJob Tower automation system.

Richard Smith, Yamazaki Mazak European Group’s managing director, said: “We saw a very positive increase in stand visitors and excellent levels of machine orders across the range.

"What is clear from customer and visitor feedback is that our focus on turn-key automation, entry-level machines and artificial intelligence struck a chord with machine users around Europe and made the show an enormous success for us.”

During EMO 2019, Yamazaki Mazak president Takashi Yamazaki confirmed the company’s intention to upgrade its European manufacturing facility in Worcester to full ‘iSMART Factory’ status, the highest level of Industry 4.0 connectivity.

He said: “Europe now accounts for more than 30% of our global sales and is currently our biggest and best-performing market.

"We will complete the massive iSMART Factory upgrade of Minokamo 1 and 2 in Japan this year, and we also intend to upgrade our UK factory to iSMART status.”