Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
News
January 7, 2025
Matsuura Machinery (Fukui City, Japan; President Katsutoshi Matsuura) inaugurated new facilities at its Takefu Assembly Plant on December 3, 2024. The company has consolidated the previously dispersed assembly functions for machining centers (MCs) and spindles at this facility. This move is aimed at optimizing manufacturing processes and standardizing employee training.
President Katsutoshi Matsuura discusses the flexibility to increase production to meet customer demand.
The inauguration ceremony celebrated the completion of the new “C Factory” and “D Factory” at the Takefu site in Echizen City, Fukui Prefecture. The total floor area of the two buildings is 3,558 square meters for C Factory and 4,744 square meters for D Factory, with an investment of approximately JPY 2.8 billion. Coinciding with the 90th anniversary of Matsuura Machinery, the facilities began operations in December 2024.
The consolidation enables a 20% increase in monthly MC production, raising output to 40 units. The Takefu plant also utilizes renewable energy, achieving a projected effective reduction of 100% in annual CO2 emissions from electricity consumption.
During a tour for the press, it was revealed that the C Factory is a two-story building. The ground floor is dedicated to spindle manufacturing, while the second floor houses employee welfare facilities, including a cafeteria and rest areas.
Previously, spindle assembly, balancing, and test runs were performed in two separate factories, resulting in inefficiencies such as transporting unfinished products. By centralizing these processes at C-Factory and optimizing the layout to match the production flow, Matsuura Machinery has significantly improved spindle manufacturing efficiency and created a more flexible supply system.
The cafeteria on the second floor has a café-style interior and can accommodate up to 200 people. The menu highlights dishes made with locally sourced ingredients, including Fukui’s famous “Sauce Katsudon” and other regional specialties.
The MC assembly area at the D Factory.
D Factory serves as the central assembly site for five-axis MCs, horizontal MCs, and vertical MCs. Previously, large machines and prototypes were assembled at the headquarters, while small to medium-sized machines were assembled at the Takefu site. This new centralized approach aims to streamline production processes.
With the consolidation of assembly functions, the headquarters has shifted its focus to parts machining and logistics.
The assembly area at D-Factory is 145 meters long and 22.5 meters wide, with a column-free design to maximize space utilization. This layout allows the factory floor to be easily reconfigured to meet changing production needs, such as increased production of certain models based on customer demand. “This flexibility allows us to respond more effectively to customer demands,” said President Matsuura.
Both ends of the D-Factory are equipped with truck yards to improve accessibility.
Centralizing assembly functions also supports knowledge sharing and skill development. “When operations are spread across multiple locations, teaching methods and workplace cultures can differ, resulting in skill gaps among employees. By unifying our operations, we aim to standardize employee training,” said President Matsuura.
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