Okuma America history

Machine tools became the company's specialty by the end of World War I. In 1918, Okuma changed its name to reflect its new focus, becoming Okuma Machinery Works Ltd.

In 1963, the company introduced its own NC-controller featuring absolute position encoding capability.

By then, the company had launched production of double machining centers, debuting its first in 1964.

By 1966, the company had combined the two, producing its first NC lathe.

Okuma's growth led it to begin development of a new manufacturing facility and headquarters, in Oguchi, which saw its first phase of construction completed in 1970.

1973 Developed CNC in-house

The two companies by then had built up a relationship over more than 20 years, beginning with the transfer of Okuma high-speed precision lather technology in 1976.

By 1979, the company had completed the second phase of the Oguchi plant, at which time it began relocating its headquarters to the new facility.

In 1980, for example, the company acquired a stake in another major Japanese machine tool company, Howa Industry, which became known as Okuma & Howa Machinery.

In 1981, for example, the company produced its first vertical machining centers.

1984 Cell phone available commercially

1985 Designed and produced first integral motor/spindle

Back at home, Okuma set up its second production plant in 1988, in Kani, completing the first phase of its construction in that year.

In addition, Okuma began expanding into the Asian market as well, establishing a branch in Singapore in 1990.

1992 Okuma CARE launched

1995 First autonomous car long distance drive (Pittsburgh to San Diego)

In 1997, Okuma moved into Taiwan, establishing the Tatung Okuma Co. joint venture for that market.

Atlas CNC's purchase by Okuma came after the joint takeover of Email by Smorgon and Onesteel in 2000.

2002 Manufacturing started in Bejing (JC-Okuma)

The Asian market remained a target of the company's expansion efforts, and in 2003 Okuma entered the fastest-growing country in the region.

That company launched operations at the beginning of 2005.

Machining centers represent 50 percent of the group's sales, which are expected to top ¥136 billion ($1.3 billion) by the end of the enlarged company's 2006 fiscal year.