In 1945, the story of CMZ Machine Tools began, and it was a story deeply rooted in family values, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The Zumarraga family, led by Florencio Zumarraga, laid the foundation for what would become a lasting legacy in the world of precision engineering. The journey started in a small building in the town of Zaldibar, where CMZ initially manufactured various types of machinery. However, it was the launch of the L-350 shapers that marked CMZ’s taste of sweet success.
The desire to achieve greatness has been a driving force throughout CMZ’s history. In the 1960s, the company faced a severe stability crisis. Still, with hard work and a focus on exports, they managed to overcome these challenges. This period of growth allowed the company to increase its workforce, relocate to a new site, and expand its productive capacity. The introduction of parallel lathes, including the Halcón 360, represented CMZ’s first foray into CNC lathes.
The turning point for CMZ came when the third generation of the Zumarraga family, represented by Aitor and Iñaki Zumarraga, took the reins. They made a bold decision to specialize exclusively in CNC lathes, defying the prevailing trend of diversification in the industry. This decision was considered risky and controversial at the time, but the Zumarraga brothers had a dream of manufacturing the best CNC lathes. Over time, they turned this dream into a reality.
CMZ’s expansion was unstoppable. Recognizing the need to establish a stronger European presence, CMZ launched its internationalization strategy with the opening of CMZ France in 2004. Subsequently, they expanded to the United Kingdom and Germany, each with its own subsidiary. CMZ’s Italian subsidiary, led by Paolo Paccagnini and Renzo Codari, transformed Italy into one of the company’s primary markets. Paolo’s legacy continues to inspire the company.
The inauguration of Seuner, CMZ’s second assembly plant, marked a significant milestone. This plant is responsible for manufacturing the TD Series, which includes CNC lathes for machining 2 and 3-meter parts. It was a strategic move to enhance the company’s productive capacity.
CMZ prides itself on manufacturing robust, powerful, and reliable CNC lathes with an excellent price-to-quality ratio. Most of the parts are produced at CMZ-owned plants, allowing for complete control over the manufacturing process and the use of top-quality materials. Their product range encompasses a variety of CNC lathes, from the dependable TA series to the multi-turret TX with a prismatic guide, and the powerful TD series, equipped with integrated spindles and a 12,000 rpm motorized tool.
The numbers speak volumes about CMZ’s success. As a family company, CMZ boasts a diverse workforce of over 300 employees from different countries and cultures, all united by a shared dream: to work as a team, give their best, and manufacture top-quality CNC lathes. With 32,000m2 of facilities and nearly 75 years of accumulated expertise, CMZ is capable of delivering an average of 2.5 lathes per day to their clients. This remarkable output is especially impressive considering the family business philosophy ingrained in the company’s DNA.
CMZ’s journey is a testament to the power of dreams. It’s about envisioning the future, believing in the potential, making sacrifices, going against the grain, and consistently giving one’s best effort. Thanks to these guiding principles, CMZ stands as a testament to the determination, enthusiasm, effort, and discipline that drive them forward. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is certain: CMZ will continue to work tirelessly, believing in the possibility of achieving great success and reaching new heights in the world of CNC lathes.
You can visit the CMZ website at www.cmz.com
