Page 55 - EDM Today Spring 2025

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Seibu America Completes Technical Center and Showroom Expansion

On April 1, 2024, Kanematsu KGK and Seibu
Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. entered into a
strategic joint venture to form Seibu America
Corporation. Headquartered in Elk Grove Village,
Illinois, Seibu America serves customers throughout the United States,
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Canada, and Mexico. A key objective of the joint venture was to strengthen
technical and support capabilities for North American customers.
As part of that commitment, Seibu America recently completed the
expansion and modernization of its technical center and showroom.
The upgraded facility features both water- and oil-based Wire EDM
Seibu America Technical Center and Showroom
technologies. These machines will be used for test cuts, operator and
maintenance training, and the development of EDM technology for cutting new and diffi cult materials, including
aerospace alloys and carbide.
The expansion was completed in early April 2025. During a tour of the facility provided to EDM Today, Mr. Masashi
(Tera) Iwaoka, President of Seibu America, stated:

“The expansion of our technical center and showroom represents our commitment
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to delivering a full-service experience for our customers. This enhanced facility
allows us to provide comprehensive support—from machine demonstrations and
training to application development—all under one roof.”
Demonstrating the importance of the North American market, three
senior executives from Japan traveled to Illinois to see the expanded
facility fi rsthand. The delegation included Mr. Kouichi Saisyo, President
of Seibu Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd.; Mr. Hiroshi Kimura, President

Seibu’s Precision Machine Division.
From Left: Kouichi Saisyo, Hiroshi Kimura,
and Kazuhiro Matsushita of Kanematsu KGK; and Mr. Kazuhiro Matsushita, Division Manager of
With its expanded technical center and showroom, Seibu America is
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EDM Today Magazine Transor Filter USA CEO Emeritus Irv Kaage has just EDM Today Magazine
well positioned to support the evolving needs of EDM users across North America. The investment underscores the
company’s dedication to customer success through innovation, training, and hands-on application support.
seibu-america.com

Irv Kaage Publishes New Book

published a book chronicling his journey from a
newsboy at his family’s corner newsstand to the CEO of a multinational corporation. The book,
titled EXTRA! EXTRA!: Stories of My Route from Newsboy to CEO, is more than a memoir—it’s a
refl ection on how humble beginnings can lead to extraordinary achievements.
EDM Today Magazine EDM Today Magazine Irv Kaage
We wish him well in retirement and look forward to reading his next book. EDM Today Magazine
When EDM Today asked Irv what inspired him to write about his life story, he shared that it was
a good friend who encouraged him, saying, “You have some really great stories—you should
write a book.” After two years in retirement, Irv decided his friend was right.
Irv explains that the book is about family, life’s challenges, his career, and his travels around the
world. He added that the newsstand provided the foundation for how he approached life and
taught him the importance of character. EXTRA! EXTRA! chronicles Irv’s journey through life and
captures the essence of faith, purpose, determination, and the American Dream.
EDM Today congratulates Irv on an exceptional career and the publication of his memoir.

EXTRA! EXTRA! is available on Amazon.com in both paperback and Kindle formats.
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amazon.com/books

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EDM Today, Spring 2025 Issue