XYZ Machine Tools has announced the expansion of its sales team with the addition of two Area Sales Engineers, to enhance sales support in the south west of England and south Wales; and Scotland. The two new recruits, Sam Ayres and Alasdair Fraser, combine youth and experience. Sam having completed an apprenticeship with XYZ, gaining a strong grounding in the company’s ProtoTRAK range of machines, including overseeing the assembly and pre-sale testing of the XYZ 2-OP and LPM machines; Alasdair’s background is in the toolmaking sector, where he completed his apprenticeship and spent six years working across a number of disciplines including operating and programming CNC machines as well as gaining experience in 3D CAD/CAM.
Once they have completed their extensive training at XYZ Machine Tools Burlescombe headquarters, Sam and Alasdair will then be ready to maximise the potential sales in their areas. Sam will work alongside existing area sales manager, Mark Mathews to develop untapped potential in the North of Bridgewater, Bristol, Gloucester, South Wales area, while Alasdair will have responsibility for sales across Scotland.
Speaking of his appointment, Sam says: “Having left school with a BTEC in design and Technology I had the option to go to university, but chose the apprenticeship route with XYZ, where I focussed on maintenance, with my goal being to become a service engineer. When the offer to take up a sales role materialised out of the blue it was a pleasant surprise and too good an opportunity to turn down. I am sure there will be challenges along the way, but with the backing of the team at XYZ these should be easily overcome.”
Alasdair’s route into sales is also founded on his toolmaking apprenticeship, which has given him extensive experience in the application of CNC machines and problem solving when it comes to machining complex components and developing pride in his work. Alasdair adds: “The prospect of moving into a sales role with a company as well-known and respected as XYZ Machine Tools is exciting and I am sure that I can put my machining experience to good use in discussions with customers. Having the whole of Scotland to work in provides a huge amount of potential with opportunities across a wide range of industries, not just oil & gas meaning there is a significant, relatively, untapped customer base there.”
At 22 and 24 years of age respectively, Sam and Alasdair will bring a fresh outlook to generating business for XYZ Machine Tools as it develops its own product range, with several new machine launches in 2017. “This coming year will see our range develop and it is perfect timing to be bringing on-board two area sales engineers who while being relatively young, are also highly experienced, with Sam knowing our products very well through his time on the shop floor here at Burlescombe and Alasdair bringing his wealth of knowledge in the toolmaking sector. They are both extremely enthusiastic and eager to make their mark in machine tool sales and we will be giving them every opportunity to fulfil their potential,” says Martin Burton, UK Sales Manager, XYZ Machine Tools.
(Above) Martin Burton (left) pictured with XYZ Machine Tools’ new area sales engineers Sam Ayres (middle) and Alasdair Fraser (right).