Derbyshire-based G Zero Machining Services, a family-run business started in March this year, has enjoyed huge success in its first few months of trading.
The company (
www.g-zero.co.uk) is led by managing director Shaun Hackney, with his sons Andrew and Steven and his son-in law Cameron working alongside him.
After Andrew began writing programs for other companies, he realised there was also a demand for expert CNC machining, and he knew his customers wanted their parts made in the UK, rather than risk quality issues and lengthy lead times when sourcing from overseas.
The family came together to create G Zero and found the ideal premises on the edge of the Peak District National Park in Furness Vale.
When the first order was secured, Mr Hackney immediately contacted Haas Automation Ltd (
www.haas.co.uk). “We had all worked on Haas machines before, so we knew what we were getting.
"We really like the Haas control, because it is so user-friendly and because it is identical on each machine.”
G Zero first purchased two modular Mini Mills, a VF-2SS Super Speed vertical machining centre with five-axis trunnion rotary table and an ST-10 lathe.
These were followed a few months later by a second VF-2SS, purchased to open the working envelope without the need to remove the trunnion.
“These machines are the perfect size. We do not want to machine anything larger than handling size, so they fit everything we want to do, and they are fast.
“The ST-10 is a lovely machine to use — we were all novices when it came to turning, but we have come a long way in a short space of time.
"Haas allowed us to bank our training, so when we were ready, the engineer came to us for three days and guided us step by step.
“As we were already familiar with the Haas control, we found the lathe easy to program.”