Welcome to Japan, Welcome to the Kitamura Machinery Factory!
Founded in 1933 in the humble city of Takaoka, Japan, this family-owned enterprise embarked on a journey that would take it from a small local operation to an international powerhouse in CNC machining.
Kitamura’s rise to prominence didn’t happen overnight. Their early years were marked by an intense focus on research and development. Over time, this commitment to innovation would lead to the acquisition of more than 200 patents, each one a testament to their dedication to pushing the boundaries of machining technology.
Through the decades, Kitamura consistently redefined what machining centers could achieve, cementing their reputation for speed, precision, and reliability.
In the 1970s, Kitamura introduced their first Vertical Machining Centers, the T-12, T-15, and T-20 models. These machines were unlike anything the industry had seen, equipped with an ultra-fast Automatic Tool Changer inspired by the agility and speed symbolized by the Senju-Kannon statue, a traditional Japanese icon of compassion with “a thousand arms.” This innovation marked the beginning of Kitamura’s journey to redefine the standards of speed and efficiency in the machining world.
As the industry evolved, so did Kitamura’s ambitions. The 1980s saw the introduction of the Supercell-300, one of the world’s first 5-axis automated machining systems.
By the 1990s, Kitamura had turned their focus to advancing machine rigidity and spindle technology. Machines capable of rapid feed rates—up to an impressive 1,969 inches per minute on solid box ways—came into play. They introduced their patented twin ballscrew and dual feedback technology, ensuring precision and stability. This period of intense innovation culminated in the launch of the Mytrunnion-5 in the early 2000s, Kitamura’s first 5-axis VMC, along with a new generation of horizontal and vertical machining centers that delivered even higher standards of accuracy and speed.
But what truly sets Kitamura apart is not just the technology. It’s the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into each machine, the kind that only comes from a family business dedicated to its craft.
Kitamura employs the traditional art of hand scraping—a process requiring weeks, sometimes months, for each machine. This hands-on approach, in an era when most companies would have long abandoned such a time-consuming technique, is one of the many reasons Kitamura machines deliver the kind of longevity and precision that keeps customers returning, generation after generation.
As Kitamura celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2023, and a presence in over 52 countries, Kitamura is poised to continue its journey of excellence, proving that with commitment and innovation, a family business can indeed become a global leader.
Akihiro - Cari - John - Neil - Slawomir - Takahito - Sean - Ashley. - Coby - Ed - Scott
