2021 started on a very positive note for Devon-based XYZ Machine Tools which has posted record sales for February and March. April has continued that trend and its year-on-year figures have defied the gloom that the Covid-19 pandemic has wrought on the wider UK economy, showing year-on-year UK sales growth of over 18%.

These sales figures are the result of not just the hard work put in by the team at XYZ Machine Tools but also the resilience shown by the UK engineering sector as a whole — the HIS Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers’ Index released earlier this week shows manufacturing is now growing at the fastest rate for 27 years (see the report on Machinery Market's website).

Nigel Atherton, XYZ Machine Tools managing director, said: “Back in April 2020 we were in uncharted territory, our order intake for that month was just six machines, and we simply did not know what the future held for us as a business and even as a country.

“Government assistance which included the furlough scheme and the recently introduced super deduction scheme were very welcome, saving jobs here at XYZ and across our customer base. We also implemented changes to our forward orders, while maintaining deliveries to help support our suppliers and ensure all round survival.”

Twelve months on the figures could not be more different for XYZ with order intake for April totalling 106 machines, made up of a mix of ProtoTRAK-controlled mills and lathes, vertical machining and turning centres and some manual machines.

Projections indicate that this improvement in sales will continue, aided by the successful vaccine roll out and the daily positive news on how the UK is moving out of lockdown as infections continue to fall dramatically.

Supporting this growth, XYZ has made several new appointments and is actively recruiting to add to its existing area sales manager, service and applications engineering teams.

Mr Atherton added: “We need to proceed with some caution, maintain safe working practices, but at the same time we must continue to be optimistic. As such we have robust plans in place to help XYZ continue on this positive trend.”

“These include stepping up our machine orders with suppliers to increase stock levels and new machine introductions. We will also be partnering with Ceratizit UK & Ireland Ltd as it opens a new showroom in Sheffield. The facility will have a range of XYZ machines on display including an XYZ 750LR, XYZ RLX425, XYZ RMX3500, XYZ UMC-5X, XYZ 320LTY and an XYZ 800HD.

He concluded: “We will also be opening our own showroom in Huddersfield later this year. This 5,000ft² facility is located just off the M62 and will serve customers either side of the Pennines with training and demonstrations.”