Company Timeline
2008
- Colchester-Harrison sees the first time launch of the new 8-axis Tornado TT6, Twin Turret / Twin Spindle Production Turning Centre at MACH 2008.
- MACH 2008 sees 600 Centre exhibit 23 machines from 6 manufacturers including Fuji, Toyoda Mitsui Seiki, Fanuc, Okamoto, Colchester-Harrison and the UK launch of 600 Group's Dalian range of value machine tools.
2007
- 600 Group introduces the new Dalian value range of machine tools at EMO 2007.
- Colchester-Harrison introduces their new range of high performance Storm Vertical Machining Centres at EMO 2007.
2006
- New Colchester-Harrison brand introduced for the Group's CNC machines.
- Launch of new 600 Group Strategy introducing 600 Electrox Laser, 600 Machine Tools and 600 Technologies Divisions.
- Electrox's new Raptor Fibre laser marker with EF Technology launched at IMTS.
- Harrison's newly developed 3-Axis Alpha 1550XM lathe wins ‘Best Metal Cutting Machine Tool (Turning)’ prize at Metal Working Production awards.
2005
- New range of Harrison Alpha X series lathes launched at EMO Hannover.
- Colchester Tornado CNC lathe including 'Y' axis capability launched at EMO, Hannover.
2004
- Launch of new Colchester Tornado turning centre range, including new sub-spindle versions.
- 600 Group company, Parat launch direct sales operation in Germany for Colchester Lathes.
2003
- Centre of Workholding Excellence launched at Pratt Burnerd International / Crawford Collets.
2002
- Launch of low cost Cobra laser marking system.
- New range of Richmond high specification Vertical Machining Centres launched.
- Innovative Programmable Power Chuck wins 2002 Machine Tool industry award for best workholding/Workhandling equipment.
- Introduction of Tornado 'Lights-out' turning technology by Colchester Lathes.
2001
- Acquisition of Gamet Precision SA, France.
2000
- Launch of Colchester CNC in USA.
- Acquisition of manufacturing rights to Metal Muncher, USA.
1999
- Acquisition of Guitton SA, France.
1998
- Acquisition of Parat Werkzeugmaschinen, Germany.
1997
- Group moved to Leeds.
1995
- Startrite sold to management.
1994
- 600 Centre Opened. Selson & Sykes merged into 600 Centre site.
- Acquired KTS Industries, Lakeshore and United Machinery Sales, USA.
- Relocated to Milton Keynes.
1993
- Office in Prague opened.
1992
- Colchester & Harrison plants amalgamated.
1991
- Dickinsons operations integrated into Crawfords.
1987
- Ealing Electro Optics acquired.
- Scrap interests sold.
- Acquired Electrox companies.
1985
- Fully acquired F Pratt Engineering Corporation.
- Fully acquired Clausing.
1982
- Sold Wood Lane site to BBC. Relocated to Staines.
1981
- Acquisition of of Startite Engineering Group Ltd.
1980
- Acquired 20per cent of stock in Clausing.
- Purchased a minority holding in Clausing Corporation.
1979
- Established partnership with Clausing for distribution of machine tools.
1975
- Company became The 600 Group Ltd.
1971
- Acquisition of TS Harrison.
1970
- Acquisition of Dickinsons (Engineering)
1966
- Acquisition of FJ Edwards Ltd.
1957
- HQ moved from Hammersmith to Wood Lane W12
- Liverpool overhead railway dismantled.
1956
- Company became The George Cohen 600 Group Ltd.
1955
- Companies opened in Singapore & Australia.
- Richmond Machine Tool Company joined the 600 Group.
1954
- Foundation of Gamet Products.
- Acquisition of the Colchester Lathe Company.
1947
- George Cohen Sons & Co Ltd become a quoted company.
1945
- 1939 - 1945 Group manufactured bombs & shells for the war effort.
1936
- Machine tool division transferred to Park Royal NW10.
1933
- First Jones Crane manufactured.
1932
- Formation of The Selson Machine Tool Company.
1928
- Steel foundry and engineering works purchased at Letchworth.
1924
- Company registered as a private limited company- George Cohen Sons & Co Ltd.
1923
- 1920 - 1923 Shell Contract- employed 7,000 people breaking down live ammunition.
1915
- Acquisition of a controlling interest in TC Jones & Co Ltd.
1906
- Great Wheel at Earl's Court Exhibition purchased for demolition.
1880
- First telephone installed at 600.
1876
- Company moved to 600 Commercial Road.
1843
- Group established as George Cohen & Son trading in scrap and ship building.
