HK Technologies appoints Gareth Jones as new Managing Director

HK Technologies has named a new Managing Director to help it capitalise on its recent acquisition by the Engineering Technology Group (ETG).

Gareth Jones, who spent eleven years with In-Comm Training, has been recruited to help the additive manufacturing, EDM and laser marking specialist increase sales by 20% as it looks to become more proactive in its approach to winning new business and developing exceptional levels of customer service.

He will also be responsible for long-term strategic planning across the group, as well as using his ability to forge strategic partnerships across the industry to open up new markets.

“It’s a fantastic time to be joining HK Technologies, especially with the awareness and demand for our technology growing by the day – it is a fast maturing market with developments making the products industrially capable,” explained Gareth Jones.

“The acquisition gives us a fantastic opportunity to cross-sell and add value to ETG clients and vice-versa, potentially opening up a whole new market for both companies. We need a strategy in place to make the most of this and to also leverage the strength of our brands and that’s what I’ve been brought in to achieve.”

He continued: “We believe there’s an immediate increase in sales available and, having met some of the technical people we have here, I feel there’s a real opportunity for us to provide even more support and consultancy to clients exploring 3D printing for the first time.

“There’s also real potential to grow Mitsubishi EDM’s UK sales to mirror levels in Europe, where it boasts 22% of the marketplace.”

Gareth Jones joins HK Holdings after a successful decade at In-Comm Training, where he played an instrumental role in securing a number of major employer contracts as part of a new industry-led approach to employee apprenticeships that now supports over 500 companies and 2500 apprentices every year.

Martin Doyle, Managing Director of Engineering Technology Group, added his support:

“ETG and In-Comm Training have enjoyed a very strong partnership over the last five years, highlighting the need for industry and training providers to work together to bridge the skills gap.

“We have seen first-hand the impact Gareth can have on a business and I’m pleased to welcome him to head-up the next stage of HK Technologies’ development and to shape our ambitious growth plans.

“In addition to this role, he will also be supporting other ETG divisions with long-term strategic planning and relationship building.”

Engineering Technology Group (ETG) acquired HK Holdings and all of its subsidiaries from the Pexion Group in July in a deal that promises to transform the way manufacturers access the latest technologies.

The Wellesbourne-based company, which celebrates its 25th birthday later this year, has reacted to industry’s growing appetite for new production techniques to make yet another acquisition.

ETG is now able to offer its growing client base a single-source solution for CNC machining, EDM machines, 3D printing and additive manufacturing, including world-class brands such as 3D Systems, Markforged, Mitsubishi, Nakamura, Chiron and Quaser.

These will be showcased at the forthcoming ‘Discover Turnkey Excellence’ Open House at its headquarters in Wellesbourne on 2nd and 3rd of October.