Mazak (www.mazakeu.co.uk) is reinforcing its presence in the Portuguese market with a new sales operation based in Porto, which is Portugal’s second-largest city.

This became operational on 4 May; it will support and enhance the work of Mazak’s Portuguese distributor, Normil, and will strengthen the service offered to local Mazak users, both in terms of new machines and in after-sales support.

Armando Gonçalves, who has more than 17 years’ experience in the machine tool industry, will lead the new direct-sales operation.

Kevin Jackson, the general manager of Yamazaki Mazak’s national distributor sales department, said: “We believe there is a real opportunity in the Portuguese market to build on Normil’s outstanding work.

“Our intention is to work closely with the distributor to strengthen our offering in the territory and get closer to Mazak users in Portugal.”

André Seara, Normil’s general manager, said: “Normil has been dedicated to promoting the Mazak brand in Portugal since 1986, always with great commitment. I believe that this new closer partnership will benefit Normil’s presence in Portugal.”