Essex-based machinery, tools and consumables suppliers D Zambelis have taken over the Achilli agency for Great Britain.

Achilli, the Italian makers of a wide range of machinery from floor polishers to bench saws, were one of the first agencies taken on by AJ Lopez & Co as they expanded from consumables into machinery in the 1970s.

With the liquidation of AJ Lopez last month following the death of proprietor Cesare Lopez in August, the agencies that had been handled by the company became available.

Zambelis already represent Gisbert, the Spanish machinery makers, in the UK but the Achilli products take Zambelis into new areas, such as floor polishing, and give them a range of easy-to-use products in a lower price range that will be attractive in the current economic climate, especially for small and newly formed masonry companies.

Phillip Collins, who worked for AJ Lopez for many years before branching out on his own, will continue to provide the technical support and back-up for the Achilli range with which he is so familiar.

Stella Zambelis says there have been hundreds of Achilli machines sold in the UK and Zambelis are happy to hear from the owners of all of them, even if their machines are out of warranty.

She says she was interested in the range because many of her customers for Gisbert machines had started by buying Achilli. She believes the range will enable Zambelis to offer new machines to customers currently looking for used machinery.

Both Zambelis and Achilli had already booked stands at the Natural Stone Show at ExCeL London (15-17 March) and both will be at the exhibition.