An interview with Dr. Christian Braun of DMG MORI

One of the many machines showcased at the recent Metaltech 2014 is the MILLTAP 700, which is the first joint product of DMG MORI. DMG comes from Germany with a history of 150 years, while MORI was set up 66 years ago. With both Japanese and German engineers working together to design a machining center, using a small footprint which was very beneficial to the market as it was affordable. INTERNATIONAL METALWORKING NEWS FOR ASIA (IMNA) spoke to Dr. Christian Braun, Managing Director of DMG MORI SEIKI South East Asia Pte Ltd. Below are excerpts from the interview.

IMNA: What is DMG MORI’s major product highlight in this show?

Dr. Braun: Overall, we have 3 machine exhibits for the show. Of course, they’re all highlights of our products but additionally, we would like to showcase the huge range of our product portfolio. DMG Mori as the global leader in machine tools, we have 19 factories globally at the moment and even setting up new ones. We have a huge product portfolio, more than 250 different machines and therefore of course it’s always a question of which ones to highlight and to share. One the three machines showcase here is the MILLTAP 700, an entry level machine from DMG MORI portfolio.

The second of the three machines showcase at the show is the NLX 2000 which is a state-of-the-art lathe technology from MORI SEIKI, a very rigid, strong turning machine lathe. The third machine exhibited for the show is the DMU 80 P duoBLOCK. A very exciting product, technology wise, this is the highlight. The DMU 80 P duoBLOCK has never been showcase in Asia before, this is the first time it’s showcase here in Malaysia.

IMNA: Is this specifically designed for the Asian market? What is the target industry for this?

Dr. Braun: It’s designed for global application, not specifically for the Asian market. The DMU 80 P duoBLOCK is designed for heavy cutting and milling processes; sophisticated advance machining such as the aerospace industry. Malaysia has companies emerging and advancing into the aerospace industry. There are a certain number of important customers who are looking into this technology and that’s why we’re showcasing the technology here. We can see there is movement in aerospace industry here in Malaysia especially in the Penang area, as well as the KL area where there are big aerospace companies with huge manufacturing plants. Subsequently, we’ll be showcasing the machine at our tech plant in Singapore.

IMNA: How long have you been doing business here in Malaysia?

Dr. Braun: DMG started off in Malaysia in 2003. We have been here for a very long time; some of our staffs here have been working in Malaysia for more than 10 years. The most important message we want to spread to the customer and to the market is that we’re not just here to sell machines, but also we want to be strong, competent and long term partners. That is why we are here for Metaltech 2014 with this big and impressive booth here to show our appearance here, your preferred partner and that we can help you.

IMNA: How would you describe the present state of machine tools industry here in Malaysia?

Dr. Braun: From the customer’s prospective, it’s a wide variety. On one hand we’re seeing the entry level demands on economic/low cost machines. On the other hand, they’ve always been a long term demanding industries such as medical, semi-con, automotive, aerospace, oil & gas industries. In terms of the machine tools industry here in Malaysia, it’s a big spread. Penang is an area where there’s very high demand and some of our most sophisticated customers are, for example in the aerospace and medical industries. Lots of high-end technologies and big machines in Penang, such as 5-axes milling machines as well as automated production units; exciting area with new factories setting up along the mainland as well.

IMNA: Environmental friendliness is one of the major issues of our time. What is the situation from an environmental perspective?

Dr. Braun: Of course, environmental friendliness is part of the philosophy of engineering. We’re not talking only about the machines which are used by customers but also it starts from machines we’re using as part of the production and manufacturing activities. We strongly focus in our factories on environmental friendly production to reduce the energy used. It is part of our new products portfolio; we are saving costs and saving energy and therefore all production have a very strong focus on energy saving. Besides, we even have a business unit which focuses on energy solutions. The business unit focuses on produce and offer solar solutions, solar panels, windmills, huge battery for industry solutions. For example, with solar solutions, customers could store the energy from the solar panels to a huge battery and is able to use the energy for nightshift operations. As a consulting solution, we help customers to save energy, where we look into the production environment how is energy used and how a customer can utilise energy in a better and more efficient way.

IMNA: If you wanted to describe what makes DMG MORI machine technology special, what would you mention?

Dr. Braun: Well, it’s quite difficult to describe in a few sentence as we have a very big product portfolio. But generally speaking, we are driven by innovation. We would always try to innovate and bring new innovations into the market which is highly dynamic. This means in all product segments, we try to innovate; for example, the machining unit here for the show (DMU 80 P duoBLOCK) is the fourth generation where we are 30% more productive, 30% less energy use. It is part of our philosophy to be innovative. Generally speaking, the speciality in our machines is that they’re extremely dynamic, extremely strong and extremely accurate and reliable. These are the driving forces characterising our solutions, where the customer has the latest and again the most productive, accurate and reliable production units in their facilities to become successful.

IMNA: What do you see in the future for machine tools in Asia?

Dr. Braun: Asia will still of course increase the sophistication of the industry. On one hand, Asia will furthermore move into demanding manufacturing processes in industry such as aerospace and medical, and on the other hand, its costs pressure will still remain. Even with the technology challenge level increasing and the Asian market being dynamic; the cost pressure to manufacture efficiently and a close focus on costs per part will be a very important topic/factor in the Asian market. And the challenge then will be not only to look in the lowest investments for getting just a cheap machine, but overall, there’s a higher efficiency needed in the production to achieve the lowest cost per part in the long term. The question is how machinery/machining equipment can help companies to be successful in a very challenging environment in Asia.

IMNA: Any plans for 2014 and beyond?

Dr. Braun: We have strong goals of course, and the direction is to always stay close to the customers. And that means to have production facilities close to the customers as well as importantly the applications and service teams close to the customers to give the best local support to our customers. And with our corporation especially with DMG MORI we are having the biggest footprint in the market. We are the biggest supplier and not only for the purpose of being big, but to have the biggest and most competent team to support customer. This is the most important for us to be the closes and the best partner to customers giving them the confidence of great support.