Methods Machine Tools Announces Two New Appointments

The supplier of machine tools adds a technical sales manager to cover its Western region and a sales support engineer to address increased demand for its Nakamura machine tools in the Midwest.

Methods Machine Tools, Inc. (Sudbury, MA), a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, has selected Mike Du Pont for the position of Western Regional Technical Sales Manager to cover the Western Region of the U.S., Mexico and Costa Rica.

“Mike brings an extensive technical applications engineering background to our western customer field support team,” commented Dave Lucius, the vice president of sales at Methods. “He has strong product and design knowledge, experience in streamlining processes and advanced manufacturing techniques including lean strategies and 5-axis machining – all of which will be invaluable in understanding our customers’ challenges.”

Prior to joining Methods, Du Pont spent six years as the director of manufacturing infrastructure at Williams International (Ogden, UT), a small jet engine and missile manufacturer. There he directed facility operations and maintenance-related activities for multiple plants. He has also held positions as the vice president of sales, vice president of operations, general manager and various manufacturing-related functions at a variety of manufacturing facilities.

Methods and Nakamura-Tome Precision Industry Co., Ltd. (Ishikawa, Japan) have announced a new appointment for Nakamura in the U.S. Takuro Kakeyama has joined the Methods/Nakamura specialist team group in Chicago, IL, as a sales support engineer. This newly-created position will support increased demand for Nakamura products in the Midwest U.S. region, where Kakeyama will support both sales and applications engineering for the Methods Illinois office.

“We’re pleased to have Takuro work with the Methods’ team,” said Imad Tsay, the general manager of the Chicago office of Methods. “He will work closely with customers while collaborating with Methods’ sales and engineering organizations, to communicate customer requirements to Nakamura.”

Kakeyama brings over ten years of in-depth experience in Nakamura engineering to his new role. Beginning in 2002, he joined Nakamura in Japan and from 2006-2010 was based in Nakamura-Tome Germany. While in Germany, he was extensively involved in projects including applications engineering, machine tool installations and maintenance, as well as specialized training for both end-users and Nakamura’s European distributors.

He will also support several new Nakamura-Tome multitasking turning centers that have recently been introduced which feature the latest FANUC 31i-B controller and 19 in high-resolution touch screen LCD panel to give a high degree of functionality, coupled with fast processing speeds.  These new machines include the Nakamura-Tome NTY3-250 that uses three high rigidity turrets, each with a Y-axis of 4.4 in (112 mm) – the longest Y-axis in its class, and the Nakamura WY-250L with two high rigidity turrets, each with a Y-axis of 3.93 in (100 mm). Both machine tools are equipped with the CAMplete TruePath Turn/Mill software suite.

Methods Machine Tools, the exclusive U.S. and Mexico importer of Nakamura-Tome machines, has been a leading supplier of precision machine tools, automation and accessories for over 50 years, providing installation, parts, service, and training through a network of dealers throughout North America.

Nakamura-Tome is the premier multitasking turning center manufacturer, offering more than 20 twin spindle machine configurations. Nakamura has offered machining technology to the U.S. for 30 years, where approximately over 20,000 Nakamura machines have been sold. www.methodsmachine.com