ANCA triples size of Thailand factory, eyes the region

Leading machine tool manufacturer, ANCA has opened a new factory in Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate at Rayong as its South East Asian operation continues to mature.

The new company-owned plant of 3,656 metres opened this week is triple the size of ANCA’s original leased plant opened in Hemaraj in 2006.

The investment by the global tier 1 supplier of CNC tool and cutter grinders will boost Thai output of automation systems and electrical control units for export to Australia and assembly into completed ANCA machines.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, the plant will also assemble CNC machines for the first time.

Yanisa Ninlawong, general manager of the local unit, told the Post ANCA had invested $37 million (800 million THB) in the new plant, which would double employment levels from 150 to 280.

“Our upgraded plant and new expansion in Thailand will get full support from the government through the BoI (Board of Investment) and create new jobs in Rayong,” she said.

The company emphasised the potential for skills upgrading in the new plant, which features a dedicated sales facility, classrooms for training, and a larger machine assembly and process development area.

Guests at this week’s launch were taken on a factory tour (pictured) and witnessed demonstrations of the company’s products.

ANCA, founded 40 years ago by Pat McCluskey and Pat Boland, is a rare success story in machine tool manufacturing, with the company now agressively expanding internationally.

Pat Boland said: “When I think of the reasons why ANCA has been successful I think that it is our blend of high level engineering, software and mathematics with the practical experience and skills of our technicians and application engineers.

“This, combined with an unusually high level of vertical integration, fosters practical innovation.”

Picture: ANCA

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