At the heart of their operation is a commitment to producing and operating quality, customised equipment and integrated drilling systems, all maintained by a dedicated team of qualified fabricators, diesel mechanics, and lathe specialists at their regional base.
When the company looked to modernise its workshop capabilities, they bypassed several premium brands that offered overly complicated systems in favour of two Harrison Alpha CNC Combination lathes. This decision proved transformative, with the company later stating that these machines are the best investment the shop has ever made, contributing more to the growth of the business than any previous equipment purchase.
The transition to the Harrison Alpha lathes was driven by a need for a versatile, all-round CNC machine that offered simple yet precise control, a stark contrast to the complex interfaces of other high-end models that would have likely hindered the production of their specialised parts.
Beyond the technical specifications, the level of professional after sales and technical support provided by Colchester Machine Tool Solutions has been described as unmatched by any other product or machinery they have ever acquired. This support, plus the highly capable Harrison Alpha 1500XS and 1760XS has allowed the team to push the boundaries of their manufacturing, ultimately providing the mechanical foundation and technical precision necessary to launch HAL Heavy Duty Machining. This venture has since grown into one of the top YouTube machining channel in Australia, showcasing the power of combining traditional regional expertise with world-class, accessible CNC technology.
Discussion below Between Depco Drillilng’s Machine Shop Supervisor and Director of HAL Heavy Duty Machining youtube channel and Colchester Machine Tool Solutions National Sales Manager – Karl Winter
· How did you find the Sales & After Sales Support when purchasing your Harrison Alpha CNC Lathe from Colchester Machine Tool Solutions?
The initial sales process was excellent, and I was never once pressured or given any form of ‘salesy’ commission breath that’s very common in the industry.
As far as after sales support, this is where Colchester has out-performed every other supplier we’ve encountered – by far. The immediate attention, phone support and general willingness of Colchester to bend over backwards to solve any issues has been unreal. It’s a major part of our buying decision making moving forward.
Colchester do an unreal job and go well above and beyond expectation.
• What has The Harrison Alpha done for your business?
Having the two Alphas has made it significantly quicker. Our job times have reduced dramatically as both lathes are now custom built to the style of work we do. We have more than tripled our output since installing the pair of machines. The reliability is also key. We have had less than one week of total downtime (on both machines) since installation.
• Would You invest in another Harrison Alpha CNC Lathe?
Absolutely. They are great machines and we receive world class after sales service.
