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Purchasing the newest equipment
It is very difficult for mid-sized corporations to ensure healthy survival as subcontractors within the predestined industry structure. However, I am positive that the strategic focus of "intelligence" is the key to finding a path for such survival. At our company, we have accumulated the core of management, technology development, and know-how by the method of "Purchasing the first prototype."
This method can be explained with a couple of typical examples. The first example is the purchase of the first wire electro discharge machine (EDM) that is now commonplace in the tool and die industry. In 1976, we decided to purchase a Mitsubishi Electric wire EDM machine. At that time, that machine was receiving attention as a revolutionary new machine tool for fabrication stamping dies. We did not possess the computer technology necessary to operate the machine at the time of installation, but the manufacturer took great pains to teach us until operation was mastered. It is often difficult for mid-sized corporations to acquire new high level technology, but when a new piece of equipment is purchased, the engineering training for operation as well as for related technology produces immense added value. It is extremely good publicity for the equipment manufacturer when their newly-developed machine receives high praise from the purchaser, and the manufacturer in turn eagerly advertises our technological prowess.
Another example is our acquisition of CAD/CAM. When I first attended a presentation by Olivetti, I was enamored of CAD/CAM's future possibilities and wonderful functions, and I placed an order on the spot. Also in this case, our engineers had not previously trained regarding CAD software. Olivetti trained and instructed us as thoroughly and friendly as Mitsubishi did. Thus, our company was able to accumulate technological power and train engineers through the rigorous strategy of acquiring new machines and new technology.