Supplier invests GBP 1m in pre-owned CMMs

Hexagon Metrology has invested GBP 1 million in revamping its pre-owned CMM sales and aftermarket operations to meet customer demand.

Not only are customers demanding more pre-owned co-ordinate measuring machines (CMM), said Hexagon Metrology, they want quality assured CMMs with higher specifications and better after sales service and support.

These are the reasons why Hexagon Metrology has invested GBP 1 million to achieve a 10% increase in market share over the next 12 months into 2008.

At present the company has ove 100 pre-owned CMM users on file in the UK and abroad.

The complementary up-rated services are now branded as 'Hexagon MetrologyQA' and 'Hexagon Metrology+'.

* The Hexagon MetrologyQA brand - stands for 'Quality Assured' and covers the revamped, pre-owned CMM preparation and sales operations.

* Hexagon Metrology+ - symbolises added value and is the new identity for the company's market-leading aftermarket services and support programme.

Both of the above services are ISO 9000-approved.

The overhaul of the services includes the following.

* An extensive upgrade to the mechanical refurbishment, electronics and software work areas.

* An all-new pre-owned showroom and demonstration facility.

* Expanded spare parts and CMM inventories.

* More rigorous inspections and higher specification refurbishments.

* Improved warranties and aftercare.

The services are available to 'first time' CMM buyers and SMEs as well as the larger companies looking for cost effective ways to increase inspection and measurement capacity.

The nationwide operations are managed and run from the Hexagon Metrology UK HQ at Telford.

Satellite centres in Swindon and Milton Keynes will provide additional support for customers.

The QA centre will refurbish and supply competitor brands as well as Hexagon's own extensive range of CMMs.

The current Hexagon-approved, used CMM inventory includes 14 refurbished machines ranging in price from GBP 6,000 to GBP 37,000.

All are sold with a comprehensive training package, a six months 'no quibble' warranty and the option of flexible finance packages.

Non-Hexagon brands in the showroom include Mitutoyo, LK, Numerex and Zeiss.

For companies with requirements that cannot be met from stock, Hexagon has introduced 'Pathfinder', a Europe-wide used CMM locator service.

Enhanced after sales services offered under the 'Hexagon Metrology+' brand include the following.

* CMM installations, calibration and training.

* PC-DMIS 'common platform' metrology and manufacturing software strategies.

* Software installations.

* OEM-standard training and 'hotline' support.

* Comprehensive breakdown cover.

* Ongoing service and support contracts.

* Recalibration, retrofits and upgrades.

* Subcontract inspection / measurement / part programming.

* National Physical Laboratory-accredited dimensional training.

Hexagon's own factory-trained and Health and Safety-cleared engineers perform all installation and service work.

Fully qualified in-house staff provide customer support services.

"There has been a glut of poorly-refurbished and inadequately serviced machines in the marketplace in the past," said Hexagon Metrology's sales and marketing manager, Gavin Bell.

He said: "So over the past five years we have worked long and hard to fill the 'quality gap' and are now seeing a growing acceptance of pre-owned CMMs among first time buyers and existing users But it's still very much a case of 'buyer beware' which is why we've invested so heavily in our newly-revamped 'quality assured' operation".

Bell explained: "The aim is to ensure our customers benefit from the same peace of mind buyers of pre-owned prestige cars, such as Audis, BMWs and Mercedes, enjoy.

The two markets are similar in that the customers increasingly expect and demand the same level of quality and service as they would get if they were buying new.

And that's precisely what they get under our new regime.

No refurbished CMM gets the Hexagon MetrologyQA seal of approval until the mechanics, electronics, drive systems and complete system integrity have been checked and double-checked." He added that with Hexagon's ability to satisfy all metrology needs from machines to software to sensors to service, the company's customers also enjoyed the advantages of dealing with a 'one-stop shop'.

* About Hexagon Metrology - Hexagon Metrology Limited is part of Hexagon Measurement Technologies, a recently formed business area within the multinational Hexagon Group.

The division manufactures and markets leading metrology brands such as Brown and Sharpe, CE Johansson, DEA, Leitz, Sheffield, Leica Geosystems, Romer, CimCore, TESA and PC-DMIS.

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