Organizational Changes at Okuma America Focus on Field Support

The CNC machine tool builder hires a new engineering leader and enhances sales organization to better serve the needs of its distribution network and provide better manufacturing solutions to the end-use customers.

Okuma America Corporation (Charlotte, NC), a leading builder of CNC machine tools, has hired Jim Kosmala as the vice president of engineering and technology. Kosmala brings more than 20 years of engineering experience to the Okuma team and has an extensive background in manufacturing and controls engineering. He is responsible for the engineering department, including applications, mechanical, electrical and software. He will also direct the development of new technologies for Okuma machine tool and THINC^®-OSP control applications and lead the continued work of Partners in THINC.

Kosmala holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Vanderbilt University. He joins Okuma from ABB Robotics where he led the southern U.S. sales team. Prior to joining ABB, he held various engineering sales, and management positions at FANUC Robotics, including the position of general manager. Prior to joining FANUC Robotics he worked as lead controls engineer for Saturn Corporation, a former division of General Motors.

“Jim’s background in manufacturing, engineering, controls and automation make him uniquely equipped to lead our engineering group. We are excited to have him and look forward to the fresh insight and perspective he brings”, notes Jim King, the company president and chief operating officer. Kosmala will work from the company headquarters in Charlotte.