Where the Magic Happens

One of my favorite things to do is to visit machine shops in person. I’m always impressed by the things our customers are doing, and even more so by what it took for them to get there. I see many admirable characteristics on display in these individuals, starting with technical skills, craftsmanship, and ingenuity. In addition, they possess entrepreneurial skills that really set them apart, including focus, drive, ambition, and the bravery to boldly lead their businesses forward.

Automation Becomes the Next Logical Step

Many of these shops have identified the need for a different approach in creating a part, or a process, and attacked this with fresh innovative thinking. They invest in the best possible tools to get the job done, and their reputation grows, along with their list of satisfied customers. As these individuals continue to successfully drive growth, automation almost always becomes a logical next step in their journey.

Finding Your Dream Team

From what I’ve observed, the people who are most successful in making the leap into automation are those who are open to teaming up with good partners who can help them navigate this next step. This can provide a dream team of expertise, tribal knowledge, and new ideas to tap into.

I think the beauty of what we do is that we’re very good at supporting shops as they evolve into more advanced levels of manufacturing technology. Together, Okuma and our partners cover a wide variety of automation solutions, from the CNC machines themselves to the bar feeders, pallet changers, flexible manufacturing systems, gantry loaders, pre-kitted cells, robotics, cobots...the list goes on.

Where the Magic Happens

For those who are embarking on their own automation journey, it’s important to realize – automation is not an individual event. It’s a team event, and this is where the magic happens. Any shop can innovate to a certain level on its own, but when you bring in outside experts to join you as a team, that’s when you can achieve game-changing innovation.

I invite you to stop by and see us at IMTS 2024, Booth #338500, South Hall. We’ll have a wide variety of automation solutions on display, from simple to complex, that will help get the conversation started about what could work best for your shop.

About Jim King
Jim King is President, CEO & COO, Okuma America Corporation.
Follow Jim on LinkedIn.