Worcester-based Yamazaki Mazak UK notched up its largest-ever machine order in what turned out to be another strong year for machine sales in 2023. The success was driven by a strong pipeline of high-value large project wins, based around the company’s experience and competence in project management, engineering support and turnkey solutions. In addition, a particularly strong December Open House attracted more than 700 visitors over the four days.

During the year, Mazak achieved strong sales for five-axis machines and multi-tasking machines – with 2023 marking the 35th anniversary of the introduction of Mazak’s flagship Integrex machine series – and the QT series of turning centres.

Alan Mucklow, managing director UK, Eire and National Distributors at Yamazaki Mazak, said the company benefitted from the strengthening of its sales team and the breadth of its service and support offering. We have brought in new sales people and reorganised our structure into northern and southern regions to bring additional customer focus. What is more, we have invested in our service group with even more engineers and two new service apprentices to build skills for the future.”

He continued: “The issue of service is becoming more and more important, particularly for sub-contractors. It is no longer just about the machine but how you back the sale up once it has left the factory. Mazak now has the largest service and support department in the UK and offers the same level of service and support commitment throughout our product range, from a simple two-axis lathe through to its most sophisticated machining centre.”

Results were also helped by the strong performance of key sectors, including aerospace, defence and medical, along with the recovery in the energy sector and in sub-contracting in general. Mazak also recorded its best-ever year for UK laser machine sales, in part due to the introduction of the NEO range of laser processing machines that combine ultra-fast cutting speeds with exceptional accuracy.

Mr Muckow continued: “We are seeing a lot of subcontractors broadening their capabilities by combining machines with lasers to offer a complete manufacturing solution. We feel we have an advantage with this type of customer because they know Mazak, they know the controls and they have experience of our best-in-class service and support.

“Economic conditions and order pipelines are improving quickly for sub-contractors, and we are seeing a corresponding increase in enquiries and machine orders. In addition, reshoring is continuing apace, and we are getting a lot of sub-contractors needing to specify and order a machine quickly to take advantage of this trend.

“We have worked hard and invested in our UK facility to shorten lead times on key UK-built machines and offer innovative finance solutions that enable customers to access the latest technology quickly and easily. The key is to invest now to take advantage of the recovery.”