600 Group Takes a Fresh Approach

Responding to the current economic climate, UK-based machine tool manufacturer 600 Group has recently implemented a series of administrative changes to achieve operational efficiency throughout the organization. The Group, which includes brands such as Colchester-Harrison, Pratt Burnerd, Gamet Bearings and Electrox, has moved its headquarters, reorganized its management structure and introduced a range of new technologies.

The Group’s headquarters has been moved to the Heckmondwike facility of its flagship company, 600 Lathes, which manufactures the Colchester-Harrison range of machine tools. The move is intended to concentrate the Group’s activities in its machine tool, components and laser marking businesses. David Norman, who accepted his appointment as the Group’s chief executive in August, says moving the head office closer to the company’s principal operations will reduce overhead and encourage regular contact with local managers.

600 Lathes has reformed its machine tool division and appointed David Richardson as managing director. Mr. Richardson’s responsibility is to review every facet of the production process and concentrate the company’s efforts on delivering engineering expertise as well as quality products and after-sales service. Other administrative changes include appointing previous sales director Mike Berry to general manager. Jonathan Wright, the previous head of the company’s engineering design department, has been appointed engineering director.

Along with the move and changes to the management structure, the company is adding new machines to its portfolio. These include the Alpha XS 2800, which is designed for the oil and gas, defense, aerospace and heavy engineering industries, and the heavyweight Colchester-Harrison TT6 turn-mill center, which provides overlapping tool sequences to improve productivity. The latter machine will be introduced in early 2009.

For more information, visit www.600group.com.