UK-made machines drive strong MACH enquiries for Mazak as industry gives green light to investment

Yamazaki Mazak recorded its strongest MACH show in recent years, bolstered by significant demand for its growing portfolio of UK-built machine tools. Increased visitor numbers to its stand on the first day set the tone for what proved to be an exceptionally strong week for the company, with a particularly healthy appetite for investment in new manufacturing technologies from the general subcontract and SME market.

 Mazak’s ‘future-ready’ themed stand featured nine different machine tools, ranging from entry-level solutions to advanced Multi-Tasking machining, some of which were supported by turnkey automation systems including the newly launched MULTI PALLET POOL with expanded pallet stocker. 

Throughout the show, visitors were particularly drawn to the new CV5-700, which was making its UK exhibition debut. Part of the next generation of Mazak’s CV5 series of UK-made 5-axis machining centres, which also includes a revamped CV5-500, the CV5-700 offers an increased capacity to process workpieces up to ∅700 mm by 450 mm (H) and 400 kg in weight. The model on display at MACH was live-cutting a rotor blade hub from aluminium throughout the show, with many visitors commenting on its impressive capacity-to-footprint ratio. 

 The company’s new INTEGREX j-200 NEO, also now manufactured in Worcester, proved popular among prospects looking to make the upgrade from turreted lathes to integrated milling, drilling and multi-faced machining operations. Built for high-mix, low-volume work, it pairs a compact milling spindle with a built-in Mazak motor delivering more power (18.5 kW) and torque (59.7 Nm) for a wide range of materials and applications. The smaller spindle reduces workpiece interference and expands the working envelope. With Ø65 mm bar capacity and Ø480 mm max swing, it can be configured for automated bar work or robot-fed parts.

It was joined by the INTEGREX i-350 NEO AG, which is the first of Mazak’s new i-NEO series of Multi-Tasking machining centers designed to enhance productivity and lower emissions. Featuring both gear cutting technology and advanced grinding capabilities, visitors were able to see firsthand how combining turning, milling and grinding in a single set-up could reduce cycle times while also improving surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

With cybersecurity rapidly increasing in importance to the UK manufacturing community, Mazak’s on-stand Solutions Centre was well attended throughout the week, as visitors looked to increase their knowledge of the 2027 changes to the Cyber Resilience Act. 

MACH 2026 also saw Mazak announce the latest news and updates about its digital iCONNECT information hub which will now be available on all UK-made machines as standard. New machine users also receive 12 months’ free access to Machine to Mazak (M2M), which offers highly secure remote technical support, as well as a number of operational resources.

Alan Mucklow, Managing Director UK & National Distributors at Yamazaki Mazak, said: “My key takeaway from MACH 2026 is that the UK manufacturing community is ready to step forward and invest. A record level of Monday enquiries was followed by robust interest throughout the rest of the week, and I was pleased to see this positive sentiment echoed by many of the other exhibitors I spoke to. 

“The high level of enquiries for our portfolio of UK-made machine tools, particularly the CV5-700 and INTEGREX j-200 NEO, not only vindicates our commitment to maintaining a manufacturing presence in the UK, but also the decision to increase both the complexity and the range of machines we produce here. This has proved critical in enabling us to get machines to our customers’ sites quickly, and in helping them mitigate some of the ongoing disruption to global supply chains.”

He concluded: “Ultimately, MACH is an important show in the calendar and it was great to see our customers come out in such high numbers to discuss how our future-ready manufacturing technologies can maximise the resilience and productivity of their operations. For those who could not attend MACH, many of the machines on display are also available to view at our European Technology Centre in Worcester. We are continuing with our programme of strategic investments in what is our flagship European facility, which most recently included fully automating our Sheet Metal Department, and would be delighted to welcome you at any time.”