MAZAK USA Founded: 1974 Location: Florence No. of Employees: 600 at the Florence facility
“We make the stuff that makes the stuff.” This description of Mazak from company president Daniel Janka is simple, but it makes sense. That’s because there is no denying Mazak’s innovation has pushed the company to be one of the world’s largest machine tool companies, essentially serving as the start of the supply chain. The North American headquarters of the Oguchi, Japan-based company, Mazak’s Florence complex manufactures machines that create parts to build machines across the automotive, medical, aerospace and consumer technology industries, among others. This includes machines that can make titanium landing gears for airplanes to small components like cylinder heads in engines. Janka says the company is actively innovating several projects designed to meet current needs. This includes developing more automation to help resolve the deficit in the U.S. manufacturing labor force while potentially creating new, high-paying jobs and digital manufacturing solutions that can connect machines on the production floor. The company is also tackling the heightened focus on cybersecurity with edge devices that prevent information being transferred from one machine to another from being hacked. What’s key to being successful and innovative in a high demand sector? Janka’s answer is simple: “The people.” “Our human capital is our most valuable resource and having access to the education and technology in this region helps us fuel innovative thinking and innovative ideas. There’s almost nothing we can’t make when we put our minds to it.”
PAGE 8
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS JOURNAL
