JIMTOF and a look ahead

The NHX4000 is one of the new machine tools in the X-Class offering competitive pricing and value.




JIMTOF 2010 was well attended, with more than 114,000 visitors in attendance from 22 countries, including the 7,628 visitors from overseas. The 814 exhibitors were more than willing to showcase their new products to those in attendance.

At a DMG / Mori Seiki press conference, with nearly 100 media members from around the world in attendance, Dr. RÜdiger Kapitza began by speaking on the state of the co-op between DMG and Mori Seiki. He stressed the fact that even though the machine tool industry was hit hard by the recession, both DMG and Mori Seiki are still two very strong companies. This can be seen in several different areas, one area of particular interest to the customers is in the reduction of lead times.

“During the last year, both DMG and Mori Seiki have been able to dramatically improve upon our lead times, going from a lead time of four to six months, and reducing it to two months over the past year,” Kapitza states.

Another area of interest is the dedication to their customer base by seeking continual improvement in their machine tools. They have shown this by employing more than 1,000 people in their R&D facilities.

Kapitza also spoke on the new facility that is scheduled to open in 2011 in Bangalore, India, saying, “That a new 900ft² showroom and tech center will open in 2011, equipped with a solar generator box that will produce 30kW of energy per day. This will help make this an environmentally friendly, state of the art facility.”

Dr. Masahiko Mori concluded the discussion on the state of the co-op by recapping the success of the joint display during IMTS 2010. He was proud to announce that DMG / Mori Seiki was able to sell 211 units in Chicago (two thirds were Mori Seiki’s and one third were from the DMG product line), and was anticipating the same success at JIMTOF.

Dr. Mori spoke about the 34 products that were showcased at JIMTOF, in particular the 15 that were shown in Japan for the first time. Mainly the X-Class, where such models as the NVX5080/40, NTX1000/SZM, NHX4000, and the NLX2500MC/700 were introduced to the Japanese market for the first time during JIMTOF. According to Dr. Mori, “The X-Class builds on the proven performance of the N-Series, offering enhanced product quality, measures against thermal displacement, and energy efficiency.”

Both men also spoke about the economy, and what they expect to see in the next 12 to18 months. Kapitza expects to see good things in the near future, talking about the commitment of both companies during what was a very difficult economic time, resulting in both companies having invested a lot of time and money during that time period.
Mori was a little more optimistic when asked by the Associate Publisher/Editorial Director of Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, Tom Grasson on what he expects to see in the next 12 to 18 months. “I expect the market to increase by more than 20% in 2011. In anticipation of this turnaround, we are investing $50 million in a new facility in California where we will produce 40 to 50 machine tools per month (approximately 75% Mori Seiki and 25% DMG). So I am expecting good things.”
 

DMG / Mori Seiki Americas
Hoffman Estates, IL
dmgmoriseiki.com