Page 9 - EDM Today Winter 2025

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Mr. Matsushita added that Seibu believes strongly in seeing to the
needs of the employees, as they are what allows Seibu to produce
its incredibly accurate and reliable machines. He further explained
that it is not just comforts such as the fi tness center, it is the
training that gives employees the confi dence and skills to perform
their various tasks. It is also the management team that is there
to support the employees. Seibu is proud that their efforts prove
valuable in creating a very low turnover rate. The average turnover
rate in Japan is 39.5% after 3 years. But Seibu sees a rate that’s
less than 6.3%.
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The new facility is also carefully designed to be a showcase for
visitors. Upon entering the building, visitors will see a display of the
world’s fi rst CNC Wire EDM machine—Seibu’s model EW-20. It was
the fi rst mass-produced CNC Wire EDM, manufactured in 1972.
Mr. Kazuhiro Matsushita
This display, while interesting, serves as a reminder to visitors of
Division Manager, Precision
Seibu’s rich history as innovators in EDM.
Mr. Matsushita explained that many
people don’t realize that Seibu engineers
were responsible for developing many
technologies that are now commonplace.
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For example, Seibu developed and patented
the high-reliability auto-threading system
that allows rethreading at the breaking
point by annealing and stretching the wire.
This development makes lights-out unat-
tended operation both fast and highly
reliable. This was patented in Japan in
May 1995 and in the U.S. in February 1997.

customers that they were fi rst and have 30
years of experience building high-reliability
Model EW-20 EDM Display at Entrance While that patent has expired, Seibu reminds
auto-threading systems.
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EDM Today asked Mr. Matsushita what the future holds for Seibu. He indicated that Seibu will continue
to invest in facilities and technologies that will allow them to continue to produce the fi nest Wire EDM
machines. They have a global footprint, but see a particularly strong market in North America. Customers
are demanding high-precision and better surface fi nishes. Most importantly, the lack of skilled employees
creates a demand for high-reliability, unattended operation, an area where Seibu excels.

Seibu’s commitment to the North American market resulted in the investment in Seibu America, a joint
venture between Seibu and Kanematsu KGK, the parent company of KGK International Corp. Seibu
America Corporation is headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, centrally located to quickly serve
their customer’s needs. Seibu has several factory engineers stationed in the Seibu America facility.
They provide installation, support, and training for the Seibu equipment entering North America. They
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also assist Seibu America salespeople by providing customer test cuts.
About Seibu

Founded in 1927, Seibu Electric & Machinery Co., Ltd. is a Japanese manufacturer with multiple
divisions serving a global marketplace. Headquartered in Koga City, in the Fukuoka Prefecture in
Japan, they have multiple offi ces, branches, and service centers located throughout Japan. Seibu
EDM machines are manufactured by Seibu’s Precision Machine Division. Seibu Electric & Machinery Co.,
Ltd. has been listed on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange since 1986. They joined the Osaka Securities
Exchange in 1991 and the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 2007.

https://www.seibudenki.com/ | https://seibu-america.com/
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EDM Today, Winter 2025 Issue