The winner of Okuma America Corp.’s Real Help Machine Tool Giveaway contest is Charles Blair and his shop, Doraville Custom Machine Services, in Lawrenceville, GA. The contest awarded use of an Okuma CNC tool at no cost for two years. Okuma America announced the program in October and named the winner on December 7.
“All manufacturers face challenges, especially during difficult economic times,” Okuma America president and COO Larry Schwartz explained when announcing the program. “Shops struggle with reducing costs, increasing spindle utilization and improving quality. We feel Okuma, along with our partners, offers the best control and machine tool technology and solutions available.”
Blair’s video entry — answering the question, “How can an Okuma help your business?” — was selected from among almost 400 entries. Okuma America and distributor Morris South will work with the shop to determine which Okuma machine is best suited for Doraville Custom Machine Services’ current and future needs. Installation will take place early next year.
Doraville Custom Machine Services was started about two years ago by Blair and his father. Their specialty is manufacturing prototypes for researchers and medical equipment producers, though the Blairs hope to expand the business with more production work. “Our equipment wasn’t the best kind suited for production work,” Blair said, “and our existing turning center sits broken more often than it runs.”
“We are pleased that we can offer real help to Mr. Blair and his company, and help them grow their business,” Schwartz said.
Representatives of Okuma and Morris South, a division of Morris Group, Inc., one of Okuma’s major distributors will work with Mr. Blair to determine which Okuma machine will be best suited for Doraville Custom Machine Services current and future needs. Machine installation will take place sometime early in 2010.
