Why is Makino perceived in the market as being expensive?
Because it's the best in its particular field. The market leader in any particular field is always perceived to be the most expensive. If we investigate further and take all the cost factors into consideration, Makino in most cases, works out to be the cheapest.
Here's how the scale-of-economics works in Makino's favor;
- Savings in cost of cutting tools. Better spindle quality enable tools to cut at higher speed or rates which improve tool life.
- Generates more work than other machines per hour – therefore more profit per hour.
- Less rejects. Makino's are more accurate and rigid than its competitors.
- Less downtime. The more productive the machine is, the more profitable it is.
- Retains value over a long period of time.
- Higher quality parts means a higher hourly rate can be achieved.
- The Makino a51 is around the same price as comparable capacity machines from Japan.
How can a Makino help business owners prosper?
The one thing I notice the most about Makino owners is that when I arrive at their factory, I see the same philosophy that they apply to their business (premises, systems in place and business models), also apply to their choice of equipment.
Makino customers make informed buying decisions which means they look at more than the price of the machine at the start, and concentrate on the "Total Life Cycle Cost". In the end, Makino customers end up saving, and more importantly, making more money.
How has the CNC machine tool industry changed over the past years?
The CNC Machine Tool Industry has changed dramatically over the past ten years.
- Ten years ago, we had a buoyant automotive component manufacturing industry. This segment has been reduced to almost zero. Even though we still have companies doing this type of work, they cannot afford to dedicate their product offering to just one type of product for long periods of time.
- Ten years ago we had a successful automotive component plastic injection die making industry, this has also been decimated and most of the new plastic injection die's for the industry are coming from China, India and Korea.
- The Aerospace industry 10 years ago was starting to fire but international terrorist turmoil has had a major effect on the commercial aircraft manufacturing industry. During the last ten years, this industry has steadily grown to the point where we see significant growth opportunities for Australian manufacturers going forward. Makino is also an Aerospace specialist, with a very successful track record in supplying machining systems to the global Aerospace industry over a long period of time. Makino have developed a range of machines specifically aimed at delivering drastically reduced machining times, massively increased metal removal rates and reduced cutting tool costs (in most cases reduced by over 50%).
- The potential CNC Machine Tool industry in Australia and New Zealand is now very diverse. We are seeing applications that are very different to what we saw in previous times. With the product range and the infrastructure we have at Headland, we are very well positioned to support these very diverse industries. Industries are engaged in applications that tend to be more complex and demand more accuracy as the more simpler or less complex work has already moved offshore to cheaper labour markets. When we look at the products that Headland are supporting, they are all specialists and leaders in their fields. Products such as:
- Makino (Machining Centers, EDM and Wire Cut Machines),
- Nakamura Tome (Multi Function CNC Lathes),
- Toshiba (Large Bridge Type and Large Horizontal and Vertical Boring Machines), and
- Breton (High Speed 5 axis Aerospace Industry and High Performance Industry Machines), can all support the ever-changing landscape of the CNC machine tool industry.
You currently hold a Makino a51 in stock. Who do you think would benefit from this type of technology?
Not only is the machine available off-the-shelf, but the Makino a51 can offer the diverse range of applications needed for the market today. People looking for a machine that can bring all the above mentioned benefits, and have an open mind to the long-term investment opportunity that this machine brings, should definitely talk to me further and see how it can help their business.
