Yamazaki Mazak has strengthened its UK sales team with the appointment of a new dedicated sales engineer to support Mazak’s existing sales managers. Steve Livett joins from MSC Industrial Supplies with the remit to develop new business opportunities across the entire Mazak range of machines, CNC controls and automation systems.

The appointment comes on the back of Mazak’s focus on increasing its market share among non-Mazak users with its range of entry-level machines designed to bring the benefits of Mazak technology to a whole new machining demographic.

In recent years, the company has particularly targeted non-Mazak users with a range of entry-level machines, including the popular CV5-500 five-axis machining centre that offers a cost-effective entry point into more complex machining strategies for sub-contractors.

The new wide-ranging role will see Mr Livett working alongside existing sales managers, and he will report directly to general sales manager, Tony Creamer.

Jason Butler, Yamazaki Mazak sales director, said: “Steve brings a wealth of sub-contracting experience and established relationships that can be of great benefit to us as we look to increase our market share by accelerating our penetration of non-Mazak users among UK sub-contractors.

“He knows sub-contractors, talks their language and knows the challenges they face. His experience will be invaluable as we have a great story to tell about bringing the benefits of Mazak technology to machine users who know our name but have not yet benefitted from our technology.”

Mr Livett served an advanced apprenticeship and throughout his career has developed a skillset in milling applications, tooling, CNC tooling and the development of specific machining solutions for sub-contract manufacturers.

He said: “I am delighted to join a company at the cutting edge of manufacturing technology at a time when the quality of machining technologies that can help sub-contractors become more productive, competitive and enter new markets, has never been stronger.

“Machines like the new VCE-600 entry-level vertical machining centre and the new SmoothEz controller provide price-competitive solutions that are ideally suited to sub-contractors and I am looking forward to getting out there and telling the Mazak story.”