Following the acquisition of its parent Hardinge Inc. by Privet Fund Management LLC during the summer of 2018, a restructuring of the group is being implemented which has resulted in a number of changes at the headquarters of its UK Jones & Shipman Hardinge operations.
The company has re-located from its long-established Leicester headquarters and factory to a new administration, distribution and demonstration facility on the Europark at Clifton Dunsmore, just outside Rugby.
Further, its sister grinding companies in the group – Kellenberger, Hauser, Voumard, Tschudin and Usach – now include the Hardinge identity and are represented under the new Hardinge global umbrella website as distinct brands.
“It’s a means of clarifying what’s on offer from the significant resource we have within Hardinge Inc.,” explained UK managing director Mike Duignan.
“For example Hauser Hardinge is recognised as the leader in jig grinding so the Hauser name will become associated with that process whereas Kellenberger Hardinge will be the ‘go to’ for general purpose universal and cylindrical machines, and so on for all the different group brands.”
In another development, the UK company will in future be responsible for machine sales and product support across Ireland and similarly for sales of Hardinge Super Precision machines with their capability for sustained high tolerance machining as either a single machine or within a multi-cell environment.
There will be no change to the relationship with the UK company and the Okamoto brand, which Jones & Shipman Hardinge represents and supports exclusively in the UK and France.
“This has proven to be a very worthwhile partnership,” added Mr Duignan. “Okamoto machines cover a wide spectrum, but we have developed the market for their surface grinding machines in particular and have installed a number of machines in UK manufacturers. Customers have been impressed with the quality and robust build standards of the machines and they complement the capability we offer from within the group.”
In a move that will ensure continuity, all key aftersales, applications, sales and support staff made the move from Leicester to the new facility where plans are well advanced for a new demonstration area.
An applications engineering facility is also established, supported by an in-house workshop. Larger and bespoke projects will be supported by Hardinge grinding experts from across the European operations.
Jones & Shipman Hardinge www.jonesshipman.com
