In an exclusive interview with THE MACHINING WORLD EXPRESS, Mahesh S. Dhamapurkar, National Sales Manager of Okaya & Co. India Pvt. Ltd., shares the company’s journey in establishing Okuma’s advanced CNC machines in India since 2010. He highlights how Okaya overcame early challenges to achieve fivefold growth through strategic sales offices, a state-of-the-art Technical Centre in Bangalore, and robust after-sales support. Mr. Dhamapurkar discusses Okuma’s legacy of 125 years, its pioneering innovations in CNC controllers and automation, and its focus on future-ready technologies like AI-driven solutions. Together, Okaya and Okuma are redefining India’s CNC machining landscape with a blend of heritage, innovation, and customer-centric strategies.
Okaya India has established itself as a key distributor of CNC machines in the Indian market. Can you share your journey in this sector and the strategies that have helped you cater to diverse industries effectively?
With over 350 years of legacy and a presence in 22 countries, Okaya Japan extended its expertise to India in 2010, beginning its distributorship for Okuma machines. Entering the Indian market was a challenging venture, requiring significant effort to understand and address the local dynamics. However, through relentless determination, Okaya began to see encouraging results, gradually building a loyal customer base.
Over the years, Okaya has established strategic sales offices and resources across India, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all industry sectors. Today, a team of highly experienced sales professionals helps customers identify and implement the most suitable machining solutions. To further enhance customer engagement, Okaya launched a fully operational Technical Centre in Bangalore, equipped with CNC machines for demonstrations and hands-on experience. A similar facility is planned in Pune, underscoring the company’s commitment to accessibility and customer support. These efforts have resulted in a nearly fivefold increase in sales since their inception in India.
CNC technology evolves rapidly. How does Okaya India ensure that the machines you distribute meet the latest technological standards and can be customized to suit specific industry needs?
Okuma, a globally renowned machine tool manufacturer with a 125-year history, is represented by Okaya in India. Known for pioneering intelligent technologies, Okuma has set benchmarks in machine tool manufacturing by addressing price challenges while delivering cutting-edge solutions.
What sets Okuma apart is its proprietary high-end CNC controllers, which integrate seamlessly with machines, enabling advanced electronics, software solutions, and exceptional machine-control synchronization. Okuma’s dedicated R&D team continuously works on developing new features, ensuring the company stays ahead of technological trends.
Okuma’s innovations include Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) and built-in automation solutions like Armroid and Standroid, as well as advancements in additive manufacturing. The company refreshes its CNC controllers approximately every four years, introducing entirely new versions that redefine industry standards.
After-sales service is critical for CNC machine users. What steps does Okaya India take to provide robust customer support, including training, maintenance, and troubleshooting
As the number of Okuma machines in India steadily grows, Okaya has intensified its focus on after-sales support. The company has strategically placed service engineers near customer locations, rather than centralizing them, ensuring prompt and cost-effective assistance.
To further enhance service efficiency, Okaya is urging its principals to maintain an optimal ratio of service engineers to machines. Simultaneously, Okaya is building its own team of service engineers, stationed at key locations across India. This approach guarantees faster responses to service calls. Additionally, Okaya provides programming and operational training to customer personnel at its tech centers, addressing the challenge of limited machine availability for on-site training.
What key trends do you see in the CNC machining industry in India, and how is Okaya India addressing challenges such as competition, technological advancements, and customer demands?
The CNC machining industry is evolving rapidly, with automation playing a pivotal role in addressing the shortage of skilled professionals. Okaya is at the forefront of this transformation, introducing AI-based online programming solutions that simplify CNC programming. One such product will be showcased at the upcoming IMTEX 2025 exhibition.
As a global leader in machine tool manufacturing, Okuma continually anticipates future demands, developing new models and technologies that redefine the industry. By staying ahead of the curve, Okaya and Okuma are poised to revolutionize CNC machining in India and beyond.