Chris Hellier, who has spent his career specialising in manufacturing and operations has joined XYZ Machine Tools as Commercial Manager. He brings with him extensive experience across a wide range of industries, as Operations Manager at a leading automotive component manufacturer, and Managing Director roles at a vehicle adaptation specialist and an industrial fan company. A common thread during all these previous roles was his purchase of XYZ Machines within their production environments.

“It is fair to say that I had a good knowledge of XYZ Machine Tools prior to this opportunity arising to join the company. That knowledge combined with the chance to put all of my skills to use, in what will be an all-round role of overseeing the ongoing growth and development of XYZ Machine Tools made the decision to take on this position straightforward,” says Chris Hellier. “I felt it was time for new challenges and the feeling I get from XYZ Machine Tools, in terms of the set-up of the business, great products and the team ethos that runs through it, rekindles fond memories of my 23 years working in the automotive component sector. I have been given a large degree of freedom to look at the overall business strategy and develop long-term plans. It is an opportunity that excites me and one that I was comfortable with as soon as I had my first meeting with Nigel Atherton.”

In addition to his operational and commercial skills, Chris has also been involved in setting up overseas subsidiaries throughout Europe and America. With XYZ Machine Tools continued development and exploration of its markets across mainland Europe, this experience may prove to be highly valuable. “It is a pleasure to welcome Chris to the team here at XYZ Machine Tools. We are already seeing the benefits of his extensive experience of managing businesses in the manufacturing sector. As we progress further in emerging from the impact of Covid19, and with new products in the pipeline, his overall business knowledge will be very useful and I am confident he will be a great asset to XYZ Machine Tools,” says Nigel Atherton, Managing Director, XYZ Machine Tools.

Helping with this development are a number of machines from XYZ Machine Tools. “We bought our first XYZ machines, a Pro 2000 turret mill and a DPM bed mill 15 years ago and they are still with us today,” says Investment Casting System’s Technical Director, James Head. “Since then we have continued to invest in XYZ machines for a number of reasons, they provide exceptional quality at a good price, they are accurate and stand up to the test of time and, the service we receive from XYZ is second to none.”

Chris Hellier brings his extensive knowledge of the manufacturing sector with him as he joins XYZ Machine Tools in the role of Commercial Manager.