A major South Cumbrian manufacturer has made a seven figure investment to boost production and bring more of its work back to the UK.

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd, based at Canal Head, in Kendal, has bought a Mazak INTEGREX e-1250V/8 vertical Multi-Tasking machine from machine tool manufacturer Yamazaki Mazak.

Gilkes specialises in the design and manufacture of hydro-electric turbines and cooling pumps for high horse-power diesel engines.

Gilkes currently sources fully-machined turbine runners - a key part which generates power in a turbine - from an Eastern European supplier.

The new Mazak machine will enable the company to bring 40 per cent of this machining work back to Kendal.

The machine is capable of performing a variety of tasks that would normally be completed by multiple machines, including milling, turning, boring and drilling.

Mazak will also be supplying a complete tool management system to reduce manual input and set-up times and a new five-axis CADCAM system.

“Our current machine tools in Kendal are great workhorses, but we have gone about as far as we can go with them,” said Rebecca Sandham, head of operations at Gilkes.

“With the Mazak we will be able to significantly increase our productivity levels which will enable us to continue to be highly competitive in our global markets.

“Ultimately, we want this investment to be seen as proof of our commitment to UK manufacturing operations and our responsibility to provide jobs for the local area."

Alan Mucklow, managing director UK and Ireland sales and service division at Yamazaki Mazak, said the machine allowed multiple machining operations to be completed on a single machine and a single set-up "ultimately delivering much greater productivity".

He said: “This investment is another great example of a British manufacturer committing to the UK and bringing back vital work and jobs.

"We are delighted to be working with a company that has a long-term strategic plan to overhaul its manufacturing operations, which will ultimately ensure that it safeguards its hard-won competitive position."