Scott Technology and Okuma future-proof Dunedin manufacturing
Global automation and robotics company Scott Technology is looking to the future with confidence, says its global director of innovation Andrew Arnold.
The company’s Dunedin facility is the ‘Centre of Excellence’ for its protein domain, where the company says it has set the global standard in meat processing technology for decades. The new Okuma MCR-A5CII double column machine tool represents a large investment in expanding Scott’s in-house capacity and capability, ensuring faster, more efficient turnaround for its own projects.
And when capacity allows, the machine also opens the door to supporting the wider New Zealand manufacturing sector with advanced machining services, extending the benefits of this investment beyond Scott’s walls.
“It enables us to machine complex and large fabrications in a much more efficient manner and do them in house, adding to both our capacity and capability in-house” Arnold says.
Okuma’s Karl Medley says a machine of this size in New Zealand is “not common”.
“It’s a very large-scale machine tool – double column construction – that will carry 34 tonnes as a component weight.”
He says New Zealand has limited heavy engineering, large scale capacity so the development is significant.
“It gives Scott Technology a competitive edge.”
The benefits are in efficiency.
“On this machine we can do five-sided machining. That style of manufacturing means you move the part less, meaning less set ups, less operations,” says Arnold.
“You get increased accuracy and precision, tying features in together rather than having to manipulate the component being produced.”
A similar project undertaken by Okuma in 2024 saw projects that used to take days reduced to just five hours and Medley is confident Scott’s will see a similar increase in operational efficiency.
Arnold says the business case for the project showed it would reduce machine time by 60%.
“It’s a quicker turnaround for both internal and external customers.”
In addition to its own operations, Scott’s investment in Okuma enables its manufacturing base to offer advanced machining to external manufacturers.
Arnold says previously Scott’s internal manufacturing has been in support of its own companies and projects, but when capacity allows, they are looking to offer this service externally to manufactures that require machining large and complex componentry.
Scott’s has been in business for more than 100 years. Started in Dunedin, it is now a global automation company with multiple locations around the world.
Arnold says another exciting aspect of the project is the opportunity for our teams to upskill on the latest technology.
The six-week installation was managed by Okuma’s South Island manager, Ian Cox, who worked alongside service technician Rodel Estoya during the first three weeks. For the remaining three weeks, Cox was joined by Okuma’s regional engineer from Melbourne and the lead engineer from Okuma Japan, ensuring a seamless completion of the project.
The lead engineer had been responsible for the build at the factory and following the machine to New Zealand for completion.
The seventh week saw Cox spend the week with Scott Technology’s engineers John Hyslop and Andrew Lass on applications training. The pair were instrumental in facilitating the successful install of the machine alongside Okuma.
Medley says Cox drove the project for Okuma, and the South Island manager will remain permanently on-hand to support Hyslop and Lass. That support is one of Okuma’s key points of difference.
Arnold says staff are excited to get their hands on the machine and make it work for the business. He says Okuma’s professionalism has been unmatched throughout the process.
“That was nice for us to hear. Our professionalism is part of our ethos,” says Medley.
Arnold says the purchase reflects the confidence Scott’s has in the future of both the business, and manufacturing in the New Zealand.
Okuma has now installed 13 of these machines in New Zealand – a figure that might surprise people.
While the engineering industry is certainly facing challenges, Medley says confidence in the Okuma style of machine tools remains high.
“We are the high end of accuracy and performance. If someone is looking at an Okuma machine tool they’re really looking at that production and performance gains – we yield for years to come.
“It says a great deal about the businesses that are investing. The people and the businesses that are investing are looking to invest in the right capital equipment to move their businesses forward.”
Medley says there is a pattern emerging of investment from people looking to grow their businesses with the right type of technology.
As a “leader in transforming industries” Scott’s is setting itself up for the future, he adds.
“This installation certainly falls into our ethos of Monozukuri. The art of making things better.”
Sponsored content: For more information email j.hyslop@scottautomation.com or visit
okumaaustralia.com.au/contact/new-zealand.