Mazak has produced the industry’s most advanced machine tools in North America since 1974 and now celebrates the completion of its 40,000th machine built in the company’s Mazak iSmart™ Factory in Florence, Kentucky. The 518,320 sq-ft facility on Mazak’s nearly one-million sq-ft manufacturing campus produces many of Mazak’s most popular machine models, including its QUICK TURN Series machines, VTC Series machines and Ez Series of turning and milling centers and is home to the company’s U.S. manufacturing technology R&D efforts.
Mazak designated the facility as a Mazak iSmart Factory because it fuses advanced manufacturing cells and systems together with full digital integration to achieve free-flow data sharing in terms of process control and operation monitoring. At the facility, the company manufactures industry-leading Multi-Tasking machines, 3, 4 and 5-axis Vertical Machining Centers, 2 and 3-axis Turning Centers and Swiss-style machines along with Hot Wire Deposition and Friction Stir Welding enabled machines.
The year 2024 marked another significant production milestone for Mazak. The company celebrated its 50th Anniversary of North American manufacturing operations in Florence, Kentucky. Since the start of operations, Mazak has expanded the facility 20 times, and as the facility has grown, it continually contributed to the economic vitality of both the state of Kentucky and the local area while reinforcing the fact that world-class machine tools are still being produced in America.
Manufacturing close to its customers allows Mazak to provide immediate, tangible benefits in terms of productivity and performance to its customers. As a manufacturer itself, Mazak is uniquely positioned to understand the challenges those in manufacturing face on a daily basis and, as a result, can quickly develop and produce high-quality machine tools that effectively meet current industry needs.
From the moment it started the Kentucky production operations, Mazak further expanded its Kentucky production portfolio and continuously evolved its manufacturing operations and the products produced. As a result, Mazak has maintained a leadership position and has brought a world of technological firsts to the industry, from the company’s Multi-Tasking DONE IN ONE® machine concept to advanced digital solutions, innovative automation systems and more.
The development of more than ten Mazak CNC controls is yet another result of the company’s commitment to product improvement and evolution. That evolution started with the Mazak MAZATROL T1 control back in 1981, then the first conversational CNC for turning machines, which took the industry by storm. The MAZATROL CNC evolution has progressed with Mazak’s recent development of SMOOTH Technology that encompasses a range of CNCs, some of which incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) along with machine monitoring and learning capabilities.
The Kentucky manufacturing campus is also home to the company’s Spindle Repair & Rebuild Department that keeps existing Mazak machines in the field up and running and extends their operational lifespans. According to the department’s head Matt Whissel, Mazak’s spindle service provides shops with quick three- to five-day turnaround times, and the department can rebuild/remanufacture any spindle the company produces, even those manufactured as far back as the 1970s.
Today, Mazak continues to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to U.S. manufacturing not only through the consistent development and production of highly advanced machine tool technology, but by its investments in the company’s manufacturing plant. With each investment, Mazak increases its capacity for product development and production as well as its responsiveness to customers in industries ranging from contract manufacturing, energy, aerospace and defense to construction and agriculture equipment, automotive and medical.
About Mazak Corporation
Mazak Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of productive machine tool solutions. Committed to being a partner to customers with innovative technology, its world-class facility in Florence, Kentucky produces over 70 models of turning centers, Multi-Tasking machines and vertical machining centers, including 5-axis models, Hybrid Additive processing machines and Swiss Turning Machines. Continuously investing in manufacturing technology allows the Mazak iSMART Factory™ to be the most advanced and efficient in the industry, providing high-quality and reliable products. Mazak maintains eight Technology Centers across North America to provide local hands-on applications, service and sales support to customers.
For more information on Mazak’s products and solutions, visit www.MazakUSA.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
