Muratec USA’s Machine Tools Division General Manager Jeff Kalmbach with Methods & Equipment Associates Vice President Matt Valkner at IMTS 2024.

One year after partnering with Methods & Equipment Associates (M&E), a trusted Livonia, MI, distributor specializing in machine tools and manufacturing solutions, Murata Machinery USA (Muratec USA) has successfully expanded its reach in the region’s manufacturing sector.


Together, Muratec USA and M&E have driven customer satisfaction and boosted productivity by delivering innovative CNC machinery and automation solutions to the cradle of the American automotive industry.


This collaboration has not only strengthened Muratec’s presence in new markets but also enhanced growth and innovation within Michigan’s manufacturing industry. With a shared commitment to providing high-quality solutions and customer service, both companies are poised for continued success, bringing advanced automation and CNC technology to a broader range of industries and customers across the Great Lakes State.


A Strategic Partnership with Far-Reaching Impact
For Muratec USA, the Michigan region has always been an important part of their business, with many machine installations. Before M&E, Muratec USA enjoyed a successful 24-year partnership with highly respected Network Machinery Inc., a Spring Lake, MI-based provider of CNC lathes, machining centers, and grinders for the metalworking industry.


“The state of Michigan is the most densely populated area for Muratec machine installations. The importance of this market cannot be overstated, which is why selecting the right partner to replace Murata Machinery’s previous partner in Network was a meticulous process,” explained Kalmbach. “Methods & Equipment Associates stepping into this role was pivotal to ensuring Muratec’s continued success and growth in the region.”

Read more about the 2023 transition here.

Since taking over the Michigan territory, M&E has done more than just maintain relationships with existing customers. They’ve actively expanded into new markets and industries that were previously untapped by Muratec. “They’ve not only taken over but also begun to expand outside of the industries, markets, and customers that we’ve always known,” Kalmbach said.


M&E Vice President Matt Valkner also highlighted the importance of getting into customer shops to demonstrate the benefits of automation. “Our success in our partnership with Murata Machinery has been getting into the shops, showing them the automation, and getting more parts out of the door,” he said, underscoring the tangible results of this collaboration.


Seamless Customer Transition and Strong Satisfaction
Transitioning from the previous dealer representation to M&E was a delicate process, but thanks to M&E’s strong customer-centric approach, client feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.


Kalmbach noted, “Methods has a great reputation in the Michigan market for being a company, much like Murata, that’s very customer-focused. They’ve continued with the legacy and network that Murata has built as a customer-focused, solution-finding company.”


Valkner stressed the value of customer engagement and collaboration during the transition. “We eagerly anticipate engaging with current and new customers, collaborating to formulate innovative automated solutions that drive optimum productivity,” he said. This hands-on approach has played a significant role in maintaining and enhancing customer satisfaction.


Driving Innovation and Productivity for Manufacturers
The Muratec-M&E partnership has been a catalyst for innovation, particularly in helping manufacturers increase productivity through automation. Valkner shared examples of how customers have benefited from Muratec’s automated solutions: “The innovation we’ve seen with our customers is that we can show them Muratec automation, and they can get more parts out the door at the end of the day.”


Kalmbach also emphasized how M&E has opened doors to new business opportunities, bringing Muratec technology to a broader customer base. “They’re already bringing in new customers that we’ve never known or done business with before, and now they can educate those customers on the value of the products we have,” he noted. This expansion has been crucial in driving growth and innovation for both companies.


The Future: Expanding into New Markets
Both Muratec USA and M&E have ambitious goals for their partnership. Kalmbach made it clear that the focus is on growing the Michigan customer base while expanding into new markets. “The goal is to continue supporting, building, and growing our customer base, but also to grow a new customer base,” he said.


Valkner sees great potential for introducing Muratec’s automation technology to smaller and medium-sized manufacturers in Michigan. “We see the future where we’re going to start getting into those small and medium-sized shops, where we can keep introducing automation so they can keep their business growing,” Valkner stated.


This strategy will allow more companies to benefit from automation and remain competitive in the evolving manufacturing landscape.