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In an exclusive interview conducted by International Metalworking News for Asia, Wai Yip Lee is the General Manager of Hurco (S.E. Asia) Pte Ltd, shared insights into the company’s regional priorities, evolving customer demands, and the broader direction of the machine tool industry.
Taiwan: The Foundation of Global Competitiveness
For Hurco, Taiwan is far more than a production base—it is a strategic advantage.
With manufacturing facility in Taichung, the company benefits from one of the world’s most comprehensive machine tool supply chains. From core components to advanced subsystems, Taiwan offers an integrated ecosystem that enables both scalability and quality control.
“Taiwan has a matured and established supply chain. You can buy everything you need to build a CNC machine just by coming to the show itself,” Wai Yip commented.
This ecosystem has allowed Hurco to expand production efficiently over the years, at one point reaching output levels of more than 2,000 machines annually before the pandemic. Today, Taiwan continues to serve as a global export hub, supplying markets across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Re-engaging the Regional Market
The return of TMTS in Taichung after the pandemic marked an important moment for reconnecting with customers—particularly in Taiwan’s domestic market, which formed the core of this year’s visitor base.
Hurco responded by bringing together its Southeast Asian sales teams, reinforcing a more localised and collaborative regional strategy.
He explained, “We wanted to take this opportunity to showcase our products to Taiwanese users again; and at the same time connect with regional visitors.”
This approach reflects a broader shift in the industry toward regionalisation, where closer proximity to customers enables faster support, stronger relationships, and better alignment with local manufacturing needs.
5-Axis Machining Takes Centre Stage
Across the exhibition floor, one trend stood out clearly: the dominance of 5-axis machining.
Machine builders increasingly focused on larger-format systems designed to handle complex geometries and high-precision applications, particularly in industries such as automotive and semiconductor manufacturing.
Hurco’s demonstrations echoed this trend but emphasised application-driven performance rather than just machine specifications. A live cutting demonstration of a complex automotive component highlighted how manufacturers can optimise productivity within a single setup using creative fixturing.
“Creative fixturing allows the user to machine 4 parts in 2 set-ups on our VC600i machine demo, reducing part set-up time. It’s no longer just about supplying a machine… it’s about understanding what the customer wants to produce and how to do it better,” remarked Wai Yip.
This shift signals a maturing market, where customers are prioritising efficiency, flexibility, and process optimisation over sheer machine capability.
Automation Becomes a Practical Imperative
Automation was another defining theme at TMTS 2026—but with a notable evolution. Instead of large-scale, complex systems, the focus has shifted toward accessible, scalable automation solutions.
Hurco’s robotic machine tending system, ProCobots demonstrated how even smaller manufacturers can adopt automation in a practical and cost-effective way.
He added, “You can use this for your second shift, for production runs, or even batch production—it’s about flexibility.”
As manufacturers navigate labour challenges and rising efficiency demands, automation is no longer optional—it is becoming a fundamental requirement for staying competitive.
Differentiation in a Competitive Landscape
Taiwan’s machine tool sector is highly competitive, with established players continuously advancing their offerings. In such an environment, differentiation goes beyond hardware.
For Hurco, the key lies in integrating machine capability with software and control technology to deliver tangible value to end users.
Wai Yip said, “It’s about how the control and software can help produce parts faster, with better finish and tolerance.”
This reflects a broader transformation across the industry, where machine tool providers are evolving into solution partners, focusing on outcomes rather than equipment alone.
A Show That Reflects Industry Momentum
TMTS 2026 ultimately served as a microcosm of the broader machine tool industry:
- ‣A renewed focus on regional markets
- ‣The normalisation of 5-axis machining
- ‣The rapid adoption of practical automation
- ‣And the continued importance of strong manufacturing ecosystems like Taiwan
For Hurco, the exhibition was less about showcasing machines and more about reinforcing its position within this evolving landscape—one where success depends not just on technology, but on how well it is integrated, localised, and aligned with real manufacturing needs.