In 1937, Makino’s journey commenced in the depths of Tokyo, with Tsunezo Makino crafting the company’s inaugural machine in the basement of its first facility. This moment marked the inception of an illustrious history spanning over 80 years of pioneering advancements in the realm of machine tool manufacturing, a narrative intricately intertwined with Japan’s industrial evolution.
A significant milestone arrived in 1958 when Makino introduced the revolutionary K-55 milling machine. Notably designed with a modular framework adaptable to diverse customer requisites, the K-55 swiftly emerged as a top-selling product. Its unparalleled presence in high-precision sectors such as camera manufacturing, watchmaking, and the production of precision parts and molds garnered widespread acclaim owing to its unmatched versatility and unwavering commitment to superior quality. In 2006, the K-55 clinched the prestigious “Long Life Best Seller” Award, having successfully surpassed the momentous benchmark of 27,000 units delivered. Remarkably, even today, this vintage 1950s marvel continues to witness high demand from various educational institutions and universities across Japan.
However, Makino’s legacy extends beyond the domain of conventional machine tools. As a representative of Japan’s illustrious machine tool industry, Tsunezo Makino journeyed to India and pledged to develop an NC (Numerical Control) machine within a tight two-year timeline. To fulfill this promise, a strategic collaboration was forged with a Fujitsu subsidiary, later known as Fanuc, resulting in the inception of Japan’s maiden NC machine. This groundbreaking achievement was publicly unveiled at the Osaka Jimtof event in 1958.
For over 60 years, the enduring partnership between Makino and Fanuc has thrived, with Fanuc’s NC control, boasting the most substantial Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) in its sector, serving as the ideal companion for Makino in delivering reliable and top-tier machine solutions to its esteemed clientele.
In a historical context, the bond between Germany and Japan has long been one of camaraderie. The 1970s witnessed a profound era of extensive cultural, scientific, and economic exchanges. Notably, amidst the tumultuous landscape of the Western world during this period, Makino forged a pivotal alliance in October 1978 with Heidenreich & Harbeck GmbH, a renowned German enterprise established as far back as 1868, primarily specializing in lathe production. Marking a significant stride, Makino commenced local manufacturing operations within the premises of Heidenreich & Harbeck. The first outcome of this collaboration was the groundbreaking MC40, subsequently evolving into the MC50, with over 500 units produced. The success of the “local production” strategy spurred the development of additional cutting-edge machines, including the FNC166 and the MC86 1, 2, and 3, complemented by the integration of the FMS (Flexible Manufacturing System) business line into the company’s portfolio.
One of the most remarkable chapters in Heidenreich & Harbeck’s history emerged when they secured a colossal order worth over €50 million, supplying extensive FMS systems to Bulgaria and Russia, setting a record as the largest single order in the company’s annals. This momentous achievement coincided with the acquisition of Heidenreich & Harbeck’s Hamburg headquarters by the esteemed Makino Group in 1978.
Subsequently, in 1997, Makino GmbH underwent an expansion, establishing various business units across Europe, eventually leading to the complete rebranding of the company as Makino GmbH in 1999. The company’s growth trajectory saw the establishment of a secondary facility in Kirchheim unter Teck, close to Stuttgart, to fortify its Tool and Mould Making division, strategically situated in the heart of the bustling Stuttgart Metropolitan Region renowned for its mechanical engineering excellence and the production of world-class tool and mould-making equipment.
The demand for Makino’s expertise burgeoned in the aerospace sector throughout the 2010s, prompting the establishment of the Aerospace Technology Centre in Kirchheim. This initiative fostered a collaborative environment, bringing together skilled professionals from various European nations, all converging to elevate the standards of aerospace technology.
By 2015, the existing infrastructure housing aerospace and precision machinery reached its operational capacity, necessitating a significant expansion to accommodate Makino’s flourishing operations. A sprawling new showroom spanning over 1,000 square meters was erected, complemented by an expanded administrative building catering to the burgeoning corporate functions.
In 2018, Makino furthered its growth trajectory with the relocation of its headquarters from Hamburg. Originally rooted in Hamburg since its inception in 1868, Heidenreich & Harbeck initially gained recognition for its proficiency in lathe production. Over the years, the company diversified its portfolio, with notable contributions to the construction of artillery pieces during the first half of the 20th century, followed by a groundbreaking foray into the development of the Large Schmidt Mirror for the Hamburg Observatory in the early 1950s, serving as the West German counterpart to Zeiss Jena.
The 1970s marked a pivotal phase in the company’s history, witnessing the development of the first high-performance blow-molding machine dedicated to PVC beer bottle production. Subsequent adaptations facilitated the transition to PET production in 1971, leading to the independent establishment of the plastic bottle production unit, which was eventually acquired by the Krupp Group in 1979.
In 1972, the mantle of leadership shifted as Martin Harbeck’s son facilitated the sale of Heidenreich & Harbeck to their competitor, Gildemeister AG in Bielefeld, following the latter’s acquisition of a significant stake in 1970. However, a wave of uncertainty loomed as Gildemeister AG announced its intent to discontinue production and downsize the workforce drastically from 1,000 to a mere 200 employees in 1976.
Amidst this backdrop, the decisive involvement of the Japanese powerhouse, Makino, ensued in October 1978, when the company acquired a substantial equity stake in Heidenreich & Harbeck, subsequently assuming full ownership and commencing machine production operations in Hamburg. The complete acquisition of the Hamburg-based company solidified Makino’s presence in the region, enabling an extensive expansion of its local business activities across Europe.
The shift in operations from Hamburg to the northern fringes of the city in 2007 saw the transformation of Makino GmbH into a robust sales and service entity, fortified by a state-of-the-art showroom. Presently, all Makino machines are sourced from either Japan or Singapore, with the Hamburg facility serving as a hub for catering to the demands of customers in Northern Europe.
The year 2019 heralded a monumental leap forward with the establishment of the Makino Asia Smart Factory, poised to nearly double the company’s machine production capacity through the integration of cutting-edge automation and digital technologies. Designed to cater to the burgeoning demand for premium-quality products and unparalleled precision, the Smart Factory embodies the principles of Industry 4.0 and the tenets of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The facility seamlessly integrates the existing assembly factory with a state-of-the-art machining factory, connected via a dedicated link bridge for personnel and a canopy area facilitating the seamless transfer of materials through automated guided forklifts. Embracing a highly connected ecosystem of robots, machine tools, and digital systems operating through the Industrial Internet of Things, the Smart Factory facilitates proactive and predictive services, epitomizing the pinnacle of technological excellence and operational efficiency.
Visit the Makino website at makino.com
