Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Japanese Cutting-Edge
Solutions for Metalworking
Interview
February 20, 2025
“Work hard, play hard, and learn hard”. – Dr. Masahiko Mori.
The 40th ND Marketing Grand Prize was awarded to Dr. Masahiko Mori, President of DMG MORI. The award ceremony was held on January 10 during the “2025 FA Industry New Year’s Reception” hosted by News Digest Publishing (ND), the organization behind SEISANZAI Japan, at Chuunichi Hall in Nagoya City.
At the ceremony, Dr. Shinji Shimizu, Chairman of the Award Selection Committee and Director of the Museum of Industrial Technology at Nippon Institute of Technology as well as Professor Emeritus at Sophia University, explained the reasons for Dr. Mori’s selection. He praised Dr. Mori’s leadership, stating, “He has demonstrated strong leadership by successfully leading the management integration of Germany’s DMG and Japan’s MORI SEIKI, significantly advancing the company’s growth.”
Dr. Mori received a certificate of recognition from ND President Mr. Higuchi and a bronze statue from previous award recipient Mr. Takao Katayama, Chairman of Union Tool. The audience responded with a round of applause in recognition of his achievements.
In his commemorative speech, Dr. Mori reflected on the origins of the DMG MORI business integration. He recalled his discussion with Dr. Rüdiger Kapitza, then Chairman of the DMG Group, in a 2007 issue of SEISANZAI Marketing Magazine. “We had an engaging conversation that led to meals together and eventually culminated in the business integration of our companies,” he recalled. He also shared his management philosophy: “Work hard, play hard, and learn hard.”
・Demonstrated strong leadership, successfully leading the management integration with GILDEMEISTER in Germany and driving remarkable business growth.
・Promoted a high value-added strategy centered on Machining Transformation (MX).
・Contributed significantly to the industry and local communities through initiatives such as promoting 5-axis machining and coexistence with regions where the company has major operations.
“Once we enter a market, we never retreat from that segment or from our customers.”
DMG MORI President Dr. Masahiko Mori has a business philosophy similar to the “Sanpo-Yoshi” (Three-Way Satisfaction) principle of traditional Ōmi merchants in Japan – “Creating a sustainable business environment for our customers, suppliers and employees is of the utmost importance,” said Dr. Mori, explaining his commitment to long-term business strategies.
As part of the company’s 70th anniversary project in 2018, he established the 5-axis Machining Association to raise awareness of Japan’s lagging adoption of 5-axis machining compared to Europe. The initiative included an unprecedented program to lend 5-axis machining centers free of charge to 70 companies for one year.
While the free loan program has now ended, the number of member companies has since doubled to 142.
Private classes have been offered at DMG MORI facilities and member companies and have been attended by 4,400 companies and 8,200 participants.
“The concept of 5-axis machining has existed for decades, but only recently have all the necessary technologies – computer performance, spindle motor precision, servo control and encoder accuracy – come together. If you introduce it too early, it won’t take off. But it doesn’t happen overnight. If you keep striving for excellence over time, there will come a moment when everything clicks. That’s the moment we’re aiming for.”
Drawing a parallel with his personal hobby of skiing, Dr. Mori added, ” I’m not an exceptional skier, but I started in junior high school. Most of my classmates have stopped skiing by now, but I kept going. If you stick to something with a small but consistent effort, over time you’ll find the point where you’re ‘good’ at it. I think the same is true in business.”
Masahiko Mori graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University in 1985 and joined Itochu Corporation the same year. In 1993, he joined Mori Seiki (now DMG MORI) and was appointed Director in 1994. He subsequently served as Managing Director in 1996, Senior Managing Director in 1997, and became President in 1999. In 2003, he earned a Doctorate in Engineering from the University of Tokyo. Born in Nara Prefecture in 1961, he is currently 63 years old.
DMG MORI provides comprehensive solutions including machine tools, software, measurement systems, maintenance and restoration support, applications, and engineering services. Founded in 1948, the company has a capital of 71.23 billion yen and a consolidated workforce of 13,484 employees as of the end of 2023.
The ND Marketing Award was established in 1984 by News Digest Publishing. The award recognizes outstanding companies in the production equipment industry, particularly the metalworking machinery industry, and their executives. The award is presented annually to companies that have developed outstanding marketing activities and achieved results, and has been presented to industry leaders in the past.
Marketing activities in the area of production equipment, with a focus on the factory automation industry, are evaluated on the following four points
(1) Management philosophy and principles
(2) Business development potential
(3) Soundness of the company
(4) Contribution to Japanese society and industry
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