S. Korean machine tool maker makes good on growth goals

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Teasing the market ahead of German show

The supplier also presented a new generation of numerical controller software called Vision III, which together with new operator panels is said to improve the ease-of-use for operators. A software package called Smart I, which allows machine monitoring via mobile devices, was also debuted in Changwon. Many of these new machines will be on display at EMO in Hanover, Germany on 16-21 Sept., where Doosan plans to show 24 machines in Hall 27.

Overall, these developments are part of the company’s push to double sales in the next five years. According to Doosan, its global sales of machine tools reached $1.3 billion in 2011, and the company has posted a compounded annual growth rate in sales of 12% over the past three years. Doosan’s figures said it is now the world’s fifth largest producer of machine tools in its category and within five years is looking to be amongst the top three producers.

Plans to raise production by more than 50% in 3 years

With three production sites in Korea and one in Yantai, China, Doosan made more than 15,000 machines last year. By 2016, the plan is to increase production to 23,000 machines, which would be an increase of 53%. A new plant for large machines, currently under construction in Namsan, Changwon, is one of the cornerstones of this expansion.

As was evident by the types and quality of machines on view at the in-house fair, Doosan is moving toward becoming a full-range premium provider and not just a builder of cost-efficient, high-volume models. The large-gantry and moving-column machines on show, which will be the focus of the new plant, underline this strategy.

Doosan Infracore Machine Tools is part of the Doosan Group, which reported 43,000 employees and $24 billion in sales for the financial year 2011. The machine tool group was founded in 1976.

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