Fabrication Machines represent a big investment; you always want to know you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Many metal fabrication shop owners’ first instinct is to go for the well-known brands who have experience and clout in North America. While those brands make excellent machine tools there’s also something to be said for the little guy.
The Goliaths of the fabrication machinery world aren’t bad, in fact, some are great. But there’s a reason underdog stories are always a hit at the box office. Here are the top 3 reasons to go for lesser-known David’s:
1. Small name, big value
For metal fabrication machines, most brands tend to be on par when it comes to technological advancement. In order to differentiate between companies it all comes down to value. Some lesser known brands have more incentive to move machinery so they can break into the market. This means they might lower the price or increase the warranty to catch attention. But keep in mind they may not be “breaking into the market” for long! Take advantage of deals while you can.
2. They’re not lesser known everywhere
Just because a brand is relatively unknown in North America it doesn’t mean they’re not well-known everywhere. You may not recognize the name here but some of these companies are serious players in other markets and are backed by bigger companies with long histories and large customer bases. A few great brands you may not know include:
- NTC Laser
Founded in 1950 in Japan NTC machines have long been recognized for quality and have a great track record. This global company is a leading supplier of high-performance laser systems for fabrication shops and the automotive stamping industry and put a focus on quality and environmentally-friendly manufacturing. Plus, you can have confidence in the huge Japanese company they’re backed by, Komatsu NTC. They might not be known in Canada but they’re a big name internationally. - Aizawa
Aizawa has been making shears and press brakes in Japan since 1927. Their shearing machines are highly regarded making them the top selling shears in Japan and across Asia. Aizawa equipment is intelligently designed and made to meet the highest standards but the company hasn’t been aggressive with expansion so it’s not big in North America. Find out more about Aizawa shears and press brakes. - Coherent
Coherent is an American company founded in 1966. A world leader in laser resonators Coherent has a strong technical, customer, and install base. Plus, it’s backed by a large, publically traded company so you can be sure you’re getting quality equipment and service.
3. Service
Don’t just consider the name but the availability of service as well. While your machine is running you have nothing to worry about! But when your machine breaks down, or you have questions, you want to know you have support – and fast! While a machine’s features are important if service comes from too far away you’ll be stuck with a major productivity loss.
Big brands with hundreds of employees and better recognition tend to represent themselves. Smaller brands are often represented by local dealers – like Paramount – who can come to the rescue if things go awry. As a buyer (and user!) you want to feel comfortable knowing friendly support is just down the road.
What they may mean for your fabrication shop
There are many great machine companies that aren’t household names in Canada but are worth a second look. Plus, they come with perks like amazing service, decades of experience, and global customer testimonials you can’t get elsewhere. After all, a name is sometimes just a name.
Comments
Add Comment