Newsroom

Okuma America Corporation, a world-leader in CNC machines, unveils the success story of customer Suburban Manufacturing of Cleveland, Ohio. In business for more than 33 years, Suburban’s 30,000 square-foot shop today employs 65 people. Seven Okuma CNC machines power their rapidly growing business, and recent technology upgrades position the company for continued growth.

Okuma America Corporation announces the launch of the company’s eStore, designed to provide a streamlined self-service purchasing process for Okuma-branded sportswear, apparel and premium items. The eStore is open to both distributors and consumers, allowing easy access to attractive lifestyle products that are specially selected for practical business use or simply to celebrate the renowned Okuma brand.

A contract manufacturer expands its capacity using various approaches to feeding the machines.

Machine tool automation is not a new idea at Aztalan Engineering of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. Instead, for this contract manufacturer, using automation to load and unload parts is an established practice. In the 1990s, the company took over production of a set of components from another shop, buying and installing the two robot-loaded CNC lathes this previous shop had used. The cell delivers high productivity to this day. And yet, the experience with these robots did not mean that the third lathe added to this cell would get a robot of its own.

Okuma America announces the launch of its “Tell Your Okuma Story” campaign, designed to share success stories and best practices amongst users in the CNC machining industry. Okuma users are encouraged to write a brief synopsis or send in a candid video that relates their Okuma CNC machine experience, and how they have achieved greater efficiencies and productivity in their CNC machining processes. All entries will be featured on the Okuma website, and all entrants receive an Okuma t-shirt.

Despite lingering uncertainty in the economy, management at the start-up contract manufacturer thinks now is a good time to start a company.  How did they do it?

On one hand, 2012 may not have appeared to be the best time to start a new company in North America. Matt Rudd, president and CEO for Apex Precision Solutions (Mason, MI), acknowledged the difficulties. Economic uncertainties lingered, with small manufacturers continuing to find access to capital difficult. As a result, many smaller manufacturing players were exiting the field. That made it a perfect time to rush in, according to Rudd.