Simply outstanding
Published:
New machine tool introductions and a tremendously well-attended Open House, combined with a significant increase in demand for large-capacity Doosan machines and ‘best-in-class’ turnkey solutions, help explain Mills CNC’s strong sales performance in 2017
Mills CNC, the exclusive distributor of Doosan machine tools in the UK and Ireland, has reported impressive sales results for 2017.
As reported 12 months ago, the company ended 2016 on a real high, bolstered by ‘better than expected’ sales performance in quarters 3 and 4 and, according to managing director, Kevin Gilbert, “we haven’t looked back since then and have maintained this momentum throughout 2017.”
Key to understanding Mills’ sales performance over the last 12 months is the enduring popularity of the company’s Doosan Lynx and Puma lathe and DNM vertical machining centre ranges amongst component manufacturers.
Kevin Gilbert explains:
“Our Lynx and Puma lathes, and our DNM 3-axis vertical machining centres have a wide appeal, and our recent decision to introduce models equipped with the latest Siemens controls has had a significant and positive impact on sales.”
Introducing new Doosan machine tools into the market is custom and practice for Mills, and 2017 was no exception.
In addition to launching lathes and machining centres equipped with the Siemens 828D TFT touchscreen control and onboard ShopTurn and ShopMill software, Mills also introduced a number of other new models in 2017. These included:
The 10” chuck Puma 2600SY Mk II Y-axis sub-spindle lathe equipped with a built-in spindle and improved thermal displacement control for improved accuracies and part quality;
The 12” chuck GT3100 series that includes the GT3100M model equipped with driven tooling capability
The TW2600 range of twin spindle chucking lathes that includes the TW2600-GL model equipped with a gantry loader for improved productivity.
The heavy-duty box guideway V8300 range of vertical turning lathes which delivers exceptional accuracies when machining hard and difficult-to-machine materials.
Kevin Gilbert adds:
“The new Doosan machines we have launched this year have taken the market by storm and have already made a telling contribution to our sales performance.”
In addition to new machines making an impact, Mills has reported a noticeable resurgence in sales of its large-capacity machines.
An increase in demand for large-capacity Doosan horizontal boring machines, vertical turning lathes and horizontal machining centres from component manufacturers operating in the energy, oil & gas and rail sectors helped generate significant sales revenue over the 12-month period.
“Large machines are often installed as part of a more extensive and involved turnkey project – and during 2017 we were approached by an increasing number of manufacturers to help design, develop and implement complex turnkey solutions.”
One of the highlights of 2017 was the company’s ‘Strokes of Genius…LIVE’ two-day Open House held at Mills’ Technology Campus facility in Leamington in October.
The event provided the perfect venue for Mills to launch a number of new machines to UK and Irish audiences and to showcase, in conjunction with Hydrafeed, an advanced robot solution – the ROBOJOB (Mill-Assist) automated workpiece load/unload system. Such was the interest shown by visitors in this automation solution that Mills has decided to showcase the ROBOJOB system integrated with a Doosan DNM vertical machining centre at its stand at MACH 2018.
Kevin Gilbert comments:
“Our ‘Strokes of Genius…LIVE’ Open House surpassed all expectations and visitor numbers (over 200) were much higher than anticipated.
“As well as generating significant machine tool sales during the two-day event, the number of serious and genuine sales leads and enquiries taken at the Open House was also particularly encouraging, especially as a high percentage of these came from new customers, from OEMS through to precision subcontractors, visiting the Campus for the very first time.”
Other notable highlights during 2017 included a marked increase in sales achieved by the CNC Training Academy (Mills’ independently operated training arm) and a significant increase in the number of Mills customers taking out Service Contracts on their Doosan machines.
2017 was also the year when Mills joined the AMRC as a Tier 1 member and delivered and installed two Doosan machines (a TT1800SY twin-spindle, twin turret turning centre and a DNM 5700 vertical machining centre) at the AMRC’s world-class Advanced Manufacturing Centre, as part of the arrangement.
The year ahead
To maintain Mills’ momentum in 2018 the company has a number of initiatives and plans in place. These include attending the 2018 MACH Show in April where the company will be showcasing 16 Doosan machines from its stand (H18 520), and the launch of a series of new and innovative sector-based marketing campaigns.
Kevin Gilbert concludes: “We’ve had a great 2017 and I’m confident that things can and will only get better.
“We aim to build on the successes of 2017 and, amongst many initiatives, are making significant investment in our people, processes and systems to further improve our customer service. These initiatives, in addition to launching a number of new Doosan machine tools into the market, will help us maintain our position as the machine tool supplier of choice for component manufacturers in the UK and Ireland.”
Mills CNC Ltd
Tel: 01926 736736
Email:
www.millscnc.co.uk
