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portfolio arrived in 1996. Until then, XYZ had only offered ProtoTRAK controlled CNC machines but, with a £30,000 vertical machining centre (VMC) from a rival supplier appearing on the market, Nigel headed to Taiwan to source a machining centre of his own. This allowed the company to provide the right machining solution to users, be it bed mill or VMC and, as a result, the business continued to soar. This growth meant that just two years later the company moved to its current location in Burlescombe near Tiverton. “Since then, our range has continued to expand based on what customers tell us they need, whether it’s larger machines, five-axis VMCs, twin-spindle lathes or whatever,” says Nigel. “Customer feedback drives our ongoing evolution.” Such is XYZ’s success that the company now supports its Devon headquarters and production facility with a number of satellite showrooms around the UK. The first was Nuneaton in the Midlands, with Livingston, Huddersfield, London (Slough) and Sheffield (in partnership with cutting tool manufacturer Ceratizit) subsequently coming on board. The company also has distributors in over 20 European countries, as well as the Middle East and South Africa. After 40 years of such a rollercoaster “The future for XYZ Machine Tools is more evolution, without doubt. As for me, at 62 years of age, I’ve no intention of retiring. You can expect to find me here for a number of years yet.”
adventure, which included selling and buying back the business from Southwestern Industries, XYZ is today unrecognisable from the company Nigel started with just £3,000 of capital back in 1984. “Our success is as much a surprise to me as anyone else,” he states. “Back then, I could never imagine in 40 years’ time that I would be sat at the helm of the UK’s largest CNC machine tool supplier with 90 employees and a 100,000ft2 manufacturing facility.” The underlying reasons for XYZ’s leading market position are numerous, but Nigel has his own thoughts on the matter: “Always treat people - customers, suppliers, employees - the way you would like to be treated. With that policy you won’t go far wrong.” Despite recent challenges such as Brexit, soaring energy prices, global supply chain fragility and labour shortages, Nigel always manages to take hold of the situation and move forward in a positive way. This is unlikely to change in the years ahead. “The future for XYZ Machine Tools is more evolution, without doubt,” he concludes. “As for me, at 62 years of age, I’ve no intention of retiring. You can expect to find me here for a number of years yet.” n www.xyzmachinetools.com
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