Mazak North America Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Leadership in Manufacturing

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Mazak North American manufacturing operations in Florence, Kentucky. Through its unwavering focus on manufacturing innovation, technology, engineering, and customer support, Mazak has established itself as a leader in the North American manufacturing industry.

Since opening its facility in 1974, Mazak has honored and expanded upon the vision of its founder, the late Teruyuki (Terry) Yamazaki, former chairman of Yamazaki Mazak Corp. Yamazaki’s vision emphasized the importance of being close to the markets served to fully understand manufacturing cultures and provide the best industry support.

“Mazak Kentucky was the first global facility outside of the company’s headquarters in Japan,” says Dan Janka, President of Mazak Corp. “At Mazak Kentucky, we continuously invest in research, development, and equipment to evolve our manufacturing operations and the products we produce. This commitment has maintained our leadership position and brought numerous technological firsts to the industry, from our Multi-Tasking Done In One machine concept to advanced digital solutions and innovative automation systems.”

Dedicated to continuous improvement and exceeding customer expectations, Mazak has undergone 20 expansions at its Florence, Kentucky manufacturing campus. The nearly 1 million-sq.-ft. facility now produces over 70 different machining solutions, designed to help customers reduce costs and maximize productivity.

Mazak remains a leading provider of turning centers, horizontal machining centers, vertical machining centers, and multi-tasking machines, including five-axis models, hybrid additive systems, and Swiss-style turning machines. The Kentucky plant is also designated as a Mazak iSmart Factory, utilizing advanced manufacturing cells and systems with full digital integration for process control and operation monitoring.

Beyond its technology, Mazak operates a network of regional technology centers and technical centers across North America. These centers provide component machining demonstrations, experienced applications engineers, and comprehensive training in close proximity to customers. They also play a crucial role in channeling customer input to Mazak manufacturing for developing custom machine tool technology.

Mazak’s commitment to innovation and customer support has helped manufacturers overcome challenges for the past 50 years, and the company aims to continue this legacy well into the future. To showcase its latest innovations, Mazak will unveil new and expanded product lines at IMTS 2024. The exhibition will feature a wide range of machines from its Ez, Syncrex, Quick Turn, Neo, and Integrex series, along with recent advancements in automation and digital manufacturing solutions.