Worcester-based Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd has posted strong 2019 results for machine orders in the UK and Ireland and says it is looking forward with confidence to 2020 (www.mazakeu.co.uk).

The growth was achieved across all sectors and machine classes, with particularly positive performances in the general sub-contracting, aerospace and oil and gas sectors.

The company saw a strong performance from five-axis machines in 2019, specifically the Variaxis series and the Integrex i-series.

Also reported was ‘robust growth’ for the HCN series of horizontal machining centres (particularly in the oil and gas sector) and UK-built QT turning centres.

Alan Mucklow, managing director of the UK and Ireland sales division, said: “2019 was an excellent year for machine orders in the UK, with a continuation of the recovery in the oil and gas sector, a strong showing in aerospace and a resilient general sub-contracting base that has continued to invest in new technology.

"I am also delighted with the performance of our laser division, which continues to build its position in the UK market.”

Mr Mucklow says he is ‘bullish’ about prospects for 2020, particularly with the range of new technologies that will come to market this year and the recent investments in the UK manufacturing facility coming fully online.

“We made significant investments in our Worcester manufacturing facility in 2019, including two new Integrex robotic manufacturing cells that will give us significant extra manufacturing capacity.”

A successful 2019 was rounded off by the notable achievements of Mazak’s apprentices at a series of local and national award ceremonies.

A total of 15 apprentices completed their training with Mazak in 2019, while another 18 joined the company in September.