Okuma Corporation President & CEO, Yoshimaro (Dean) Hanaki, officially dedicates the new Okuma manufacturing plant in Oguchi, Japan. (Photo: Okuma)
Charlotte, N.C. – The Okuma Corporation has held a formal dedication ceremony to celebrate the opening of the first building of their new manufacturing facilities in Oguchi, Japan.
The new factory transforms operations into an agile manufacturing environment, wher an increased range of CNC machine products, in short run production, will be produced efficiently. This enables shorter delivery times, reduced costs, and enhanced market competitiveness.
Phase 1 of the project began in August, 2012 when the original Oguchi facility was demolished.
The new facility is 23,600 square metres (254,000 square feet) and will cost approximately 8 billion yen, or approximately $82 million USD.
Production efficiency in the new facility will be two times that of the second half of the fiscal year 2011. The efficiency improvements are a result of investment in a new manufacturing management system and a greater emphasis on automation, robotics and unmanned operations.
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Products produced at this facility will include medium- and large-sized multi-tasking machines and CNC lathes.
Production has already begun in the first building and will be a highlight of Okuma’s Machine Fair being held in November, 2013. The total investment in new manufacturing facilities will include three phases, at a cost of 20 billion yen (approximately $205 million USD).
In addition to the investment in buildings, equipment and business systems, the new facilities are being built for environmental efficiency and will include features such as solar panels and natural lighting, to reduce the environmental burden.
Jim King, the President & COO of Okuma America said in a statement, “This new factory sets a new standard for manufacturing efficiency worldwide, and solidifies Okuma’s position as a leader in the CNC machine tool industry.
The investment in equipment and business solutions enable us to be more nimble in manufacturing planning and will make us more agile and responsive to customer needs”
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