(l-r) Dr. Masahiko Mori, President, DMG MORI Co. Ltd.; Ken Erickson, CEO, Erickson Machine Tools; Kurt Erickson, Regional Director, DMG MORI - Iowa; Dr. Thorsten Schmidt, CEO, DMG MORI USA
DMG MORI, on November 16, 2015, acquired the sales organization of Erickson Machine Tools, which previously served as a distributor for machine tool products for over 55 years in the machine tool market of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and some of Wisconsin. On December 1, DMG MORI officially obtained the service department of the company as well. With DMG MORI's recent implementation of the new direct sales and service business model as of October 1, 2015, DMG MORI, is expanding and investing in new technology centers throughout the U.S.
DMG MORI's decision to obtain Erickson Machine Tools is based off of Erickson Machine Tools' 55 years experience of selling machine tools and in particular selling the Mori Seiki product line for several years from 1981-1997. As a family-owned machine tool distributor, Erickson Machine Tools is close to the customer with its local approach to sales and service, and its mission is in tune with DMG MORI's - to be a solutions provider to customers. "DMG MORI's acquisition of Erickson Machine Tools demonstrates that most importantly, the common goal is to provide the best local support to all customers through the regional familiarity of Erickson Machine Tools, and the presence of DMG MORI on a global level, with its direct access to the factory and all resources," said a spokesperson.
DMG MORI has hired all 14 of the Erickson Machine Tools staff members. At full capacity, the DMG MORI - Iowa Technology Center will have 18 personnel to support customers in Iowa and Nebraska. The current staff consists of Regional Director Kurt Erickson, Area Sales Managers JD Donald and Jason Elsberry, one Inside Sales Administrator, nine Service Engineers and two Internal Administrative Associates. The DMG MORI - Iowa staff will operate out of the current Erickson Machine Tools sales office and showroom.
The 22,000 sq. ft. (16,000 sq. ft. showroom and 6,000 sq. ft. office space) DMG MORI - Iowa Technology Center in Story City, IA, includes high ceilings and two bridge crains to allow for easy accessibility to move machines in and out of the facility. Renovations are planned for the technology center in 2016. The current executives are Regional Director Kurt Erickson and Service Manager Dave Lockhart. Kurt Erickson, formerly President of Erickson Machine Tools, was the third generation of Erickson's to take over the family business and keep the business thriving. With his expertise in machine tools for over 21 years, Kurt Erickson brings his industry knowledge to the DMG MORI team. Lockhart brings over 30 years of machine tool maintenance to the team.
"The key to the successful implementation of the direct sales approach is to provide the best local support and solutions to customers, while supporting them 24/7 around the clock through a global network," said the spokesperson. "Besides the machine tool, most important to DMG MORI is being a close partner to the customer and investing time to understand customer needs and provide tailored solutions. The new sales and service model and acquisition of Erickson Machine Tools further underscores DMG MORI's plan to achieve 20% market share by 2020."
For more information contact:
Kurt Erickson, Regional Director
515-290-0080
Dave Lockhart, Service Manager
800-247-3905
DMG MORI - Iowa
409 Market Avenue
Story City, IA 50248
515-733-4361
DMG MORI - Americas Headquarters
2400 Huntington Blvd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
847-593-5400
Service Hotline: 855-DMG-MORI (364-6674)
www.us.dmgmori.com