1933

Kitamura was established by Mr. Genji Kitamura at Kanyamachi, Takaoka-City, Toyama Pref. under the name of Kitamura Manufacturing Company. Started to manufacture under a sub-contract with Komatsu, Ltd. for the manufacture of paper pulp machines.

1947

Name was changed to Kitamura Iron Works, Ltd.

1956

Developed LK Type Planer, prototype of the conventions ED Type Planer

1960

Opened branch office in Tokyo. Qualified for membership in the Japanese Machine Tool Builder’s Association.

1963

Completed first major export. Exported Planing Mill to Indian machine tool manufacturer.

1966

Imported Machine tools into U.S.A. through Marubeni America, Corp.

1970

Completed new head office and plant at Toide, Takaoka-City, Toyama Pref. Completed vibrating Grinding Machine for ultra-fine machining operations.

1971

Using the statue of the 1000 arm Buda as inspiration, Development began on the T-12 Vertical Machining Center with 12 station automatic tool changer.  Applied for patent on automatic tool change design.

1972

Developed the Bridge Style Double Column Vertical Machining Center, later called the Bridgecenter-8.

1973

Changed company name to Kitamura Machinery Co., Ltd.

1974

S-12, S-15, T-15 and T-20 Vertical Machining Centers are all in full production.  New advanced rotary style high speed ATC with a 2.5 second tool change time is designed and patented in 24 different countries.

1980

Entered into the field of fully automated machines with the introduction of the Mycenter-2.

1981

Began production of the Mycenter-H300 Horizontal Machining Center and introduced the world’s first standard 10,000 rpm spindle on the Mycenter-1.

1984

Commence production of the Mycenter-3W Twin Spindle Machining Center and Mycenter-H600 large capacity Horizontal Machining Center

1985

Opened European office in Germany – Kitamura Machinery GmbH.

1986

Constructed new showroom and electronic center at head office. Opened 20,000 sq. ft. facility in Chicago, Illinois.

1987

Introduced high speed pallet changers
(8 second pallet change time).

1989

Expanded main factory at Takaoka City by 37,000 sq. ft., meeting a quota of 200 machining centers per month. Introduced 25,000rpm spindle.

1991

Opened East Coast Technical Center for added service support for U.S. customers.

1997

In joint venture with Tokyo University and the Physical and Chemistry Institution, Kitamura developed the world’s fastest machining center capable of cutting speeds of 3,939 inches per minute and acceleration of 2.0G.

1999

Introduction of the HX Series Horizontal Machining Centers with 1,969 inch per minute federates on solid box guideways.

2002-2003

Introduction of the “F” and “H” Series High Precision Horizontal and Vertical Machining Centers with accuracies up to +/-0.00004” / full stroke and repeatability of +/-0.00002”.

2004

Introduction of the NanoMycenter with spindle speeds of 45,000rpm and positioning accuracy of +/-0.1 micrometers.
2005     Production begins on the Dimystar concept multi-head, multi-axis mold processing machine. With up to 40 axes controllable, the Dimystar dramatically reduces part processing time of large sized metal molds.

Building upon previous experience with out Supercell-Series in 1985, Kitamura introduced the new Supercell-400 5-axis horizontal Machining center with the ability to run long hours of unmanned operation in the machining of highly mixed production components.

Kitamura introduces its first 5-axis vertical machining center - the MyTrunnion. With ultra high positioning accuract of +/-0.00004"/Full Stroke, and repeatability of +/- 0.00002", the MyTrunnion was awarded the 33rd annual prize for machining industrial design.

2006

Experiencing success with the MyTrunnion introduction in 2005, Kitamura introduces the compact MyTrunnion-1 5-axis vertical machining center offering simultaneous 5-axis machining of smaller lot parts. Produced and marketed specifically for the medical device market.

2007

With R & D complete, the Mycenter-HX1000i, goes into production.  Kitamura’s largest Horizontal Machining Center, the HX1000i weighs 126,000Lbs with High Speed, High Precision features necessary for today’s large part machining. – Justin, see attached photo to include for this one.