Meet a Mastercam Reseller in Japan: Q&A with Genetec Corporation
Genetec Corp. shares its engineering expertise in information technology and CAD/CAM software to further Japanese manufacturing.
Tokyo-based Genetec Corporation was founded 1985 and began designing and developing embedded information systems such as mobile phones, PHS, and other information terminals, car navigation systems, and car audio systems. In part due to the success of this core business, Genetec, led by President Kenji Ueno, expanded to include software development; hardware systems that integrate hardware and software; and engineering solutions, including Mastercam.
Product Marketing Manager Gensho Hosaka and Eiji Shimba, General Manager of the Engineering Solutions Division, answered some questions about their business and what they are looking forward to in the future.
Q. When was your business started?
A. Genetec was founded in 1985.
Q. Since when have you sold Mastercam?
A. We began selling Mastercam in April 1991.
Q. Where are your locations?
A. We are headquartered in Tokyo, Japan with branch offices in Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka.
Q. Where do you sell Mastercam?
A. We sell all over Japan.
Q. Do you have any Mastercam Reseller awards?
A. We have won the Top Five Worldwide (2004–2012), Top 10 Worldwide (2013–2016), Top 10 Educational (2015), and Top Growth (2004–2007) International Sales awards.
Q. What Mastercam services do you offer customers?
A. We offer training classes every month. And, in the What’s New season we hold a “What’s New” seminar for end users. As for support, we aid our customers via call-in, email, FAX, and remote desktop formats. As for on-site support, we visit customers to consult, train, and provide post processor testing and so on. We also conduct training classes, seminars, and exhibitions. Our customers have access to free optional software for Mastercam, tool databases, and support websites.
Q. What’s the latest, most exciting customer application you have?
A. One of our customers, NGK INSULATORS, LTD., is the first user Mastercam Productivity+ in an application for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). We were able to work with Renishaw in Japan to have their probes installed on NGK’s Mazak VARIAXIS machine, too, for optimal measurement.
Q. What’s your favorite feature in Mastercam?
A. 2D Milling, Multiaxis, and Mill-Turn are very appealing to the parts processing industry in Japan. Mastercam for SOLIDWORKS® can also be used efficiently by offering the advantages of a CAD program that are not found in Mastercam alone.
Q. What industries do you serve?
A. We are experts in Mastercam and experienced engineers who have enough knowledge to support a lot of industries and processes. We can demonstrate the software, consult with the customer on a variety of jobs, customize post processors, and provide original C-hooks as needed. Specific industries include parts processing, prototyping, automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor. [https://www.mastercam.com/industry-showcase/aerospace-defense/]
Q. What are some challenges/opportunities you find that are unique to your region?
A. Now we are coming up against a shrinking population, production, and productivity in Japan. Lack of skilled technicians, lowering of production efficiency and, thereby, lowering international competitiveness are serious problems. In this social and economic situation, we have an opportunity to sell automation software concerning machines, robots, AI, IoT, etc.
Q. What are some unique issues that you can solve by being a local support hub for Mastercam?
A. Consulting and technical guidance promoting the learning of manufacturing skills. We can use our sales network to provide automated software to more customers throughout Japan.
Q. What’s your value added by being a local representative?
A. Based on our experience selling Mastercam since 1990, we have stable and high-quality localized products, technical manuals, and technical services for Japanese processing engineers. We can also provide customization, sales and support of optional software (paid/free) that respond to the specific needs of Japan.
Q. Do you sell any other products besides Mastercam?
A. We sell ROBOTMASTER® (Jabez Technologies), SOLIDWORKS, and so on.
Recent visit to Mastercam Headquarters
Genetec Corp recently visited CNC Software, Inc. headquarters, watch a summary of their visit.