Page 26 - MetalForming-Nov-2018-issue

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MetalForming/November 2018
www.metalformingmagazine.com
Japan 2018:
During an Amada- sponsored tour, we found both in abundance.
BY LOUIS A. KREN, SENIOR EDITOR
Technology and Culture Intersect
The Japanese word “monozukuri” loosely translates into English as “pro- duction.” In fact, a closer approximation to its meaning is “craftsmanship.” We heard “monozukuri” more than once during a September technology and cultural trip to Japan, hosted by Amada Co., Ltd. Begun as a machine-repair business in 1946 (see Amada Museum sidebar for more), the company has grown to provide sheetmetal-processing systems worldwide through manufacturing locations in its home base of Japan as well as the United States, France, China, Germany and Taiwan.
Expansion continues, in step with Amada’s management philosophy: Growing Together with our Customers. Earlier this year, as reported by MetalForming, the company broke ground in High Point, NC, for a new facility to produce press brakes and other bending equipment. In addition, this year, its parent company, Amada