Joining a Movement or Leading It?
Upon visiting Hyundai Wia Machine Tool Company last week, one would have been asking himself, “Are they joining the South Korean machine tool movement or leading it?” Then during your visit you would learn that with aspirations of being one of the top five machine tool builder’s by 2020 they are leading the movement.
Upon visiting Hyundai Wia Machine Tool Company last week, one would have been asking himself, “Are they joining the South Korean machine tool movement or leading it?” Then during your visit you would learn that with aspirations of being one of the top five machine tool builder’s by 2020 they are leading the movement.
History has shown that different nations have lead simultaneously in different product categories. Without dating too far back, the U.S. lead the globe in the automotive, electronics and machine tool sectors in the 50s and 60s. Germany and then Japan emerged in the 70s, 80s and 90s--some may argue it includes the early 21st Century also.
However, today very quietly, this tiny nation of South Korea--with a population slightly larger than the state of California yet four times smaller--has offered such quality brands as Hyundai and Kia (automotive), Samsung and LG (electronics); and, Hyundai Wia, Doosan and Hwacheon, to name a few (machine tool suppliers).
Last week Hyundai Wia held its HINEX event (Hyundai Wia International Machine Tool Exhibition) during which eight new machines (including the Hi-MOLD 750/5 axis) along with 250+ improvements on current models to the global dealer network were unveiled.
Also, specifically for the U.S. market, the company is now backing up its products by increasing the Manufacturer’s Warranty for Parts up to 5 years on the machine (for select models). This warranty is unprecedented in the industry and is a limited-time offer. For more information, contact your local Hyundai Wia dealer.
Hyundai Wia has also invested in its own manufacturing capacity. One popular model sold in the U.S. is L700/800 Big Bore Turning Center. Prior to the reorganization and investment, the company was able to produce only three per month for global demand, now they can produce 20+ each month.
It was also announced at HINEX that within the next 18 months Research & Developments Centers will be complete in South Korea, Germany and the U.S. to satisfy the custom demand and specification changes for these three important markets for Hyundai Wia.
So, as you watch your sports on a Samsung TV or your neighbor drive up in a new Hyundai, remember the perception (if any) of these brands 20 years ago, and look what they are today. If history can prove anything to us, it is now telling us that the South Korean machine tool builders are making a move as well, and Hyundai Wia is leading the way.
