FFG Machine Tool Production Output

Rockets Up To World No.1

Economic Daily News  March 1st, 2011

FFG, with 22 production sites and 13 brands in the world, successfully took the opportunities at the economic rebound last year, is showcasing its strengths at TIMTOS 2011. In the 6 days during March 1st to 6th, FFG's machine tool companies, Feeler, Leadwell, Sanco, Equiptop and Ecoca, all together demonstrate a variety of new products such as CNC turning centers, machining centers, double column milling machines, and precision grinders in 120-booth floor space which is the biggest exhibitor at the show.

Meeting China's Demands, Ranking Uplifting from 9th to 1st

FFG Chairman Jimmy Chu indicated that in the coming 3 to 5 years the ecology of machine tool industry will be very different from that of the past 10 years. Due to the rocketing demands in China market, FFG's production output dramatically climbed, ranked No.1 and surpassed global leading companies DMG, MAZAK, MORISEIKI in 2009.

FFG Machine Tool Production Output Rockets Up To World No.1

FFG keeps growing not only in production but also in scale. In 2010, FFG acquired Taiwanese CNC lathe manufacturer Ecoca by 58% stockholding Italian RAMBAUDI by 100%. RAMBAUDI is a 70-year-old globally known double column milling machine manufacturer, serving industries of aerospace, automotive and mold. Currently 9 Chinese aircraft builders employ powerful milling machines from RAMBAUDY.

Active Exhibitor at Int'l Shows, Globalized Brand Name

FFG greatly expands by one after another joint venture cooperation. September 2010, FFG signed 50-50 joint venture contract with Japanese Mectron, who specializes in boring milling machines and has successfully developed capabilities of automated production and 9-axis machining. Another case in Japan is Alps Tool, who owns 49% market share in Japan. Furthermore, FFG became 50-50 joint venture partner with German AXON, and together established FFG AXON in Europe. Last year at biannual AMB show in Germany, FFG was the only Taiwanese exhibitor who had its own booths, and the number of booths was only after DMG, MORISEIKI and MAZAK. All these actions clearly demonstrate FFG's ambition of uplifting its name to worldwide level.

Chu stated that the brand name 'FFG' will gradually stand out and is to be recognized distinctive from other Taiwanese brands - more than 180 exhibitions around the world in a year, intensive, almost exclusive,  advertising exposure and promotional campaigns at every show. Last year the annual turnover of FFG Machine Tool Division exceeded NTD 20 billion, and that of the whole group amounted more than NTD 40 billion. Estimated annual turnover in 2018 for FFG Machine Tool Division is NTD 60 billion and NTD 100 billion for FFG. Brand name development, increase of production output and capability as well as  enhancement of average product pricing are the major focuses for FFG to work on in order for evolving to a global enterprise.

Cross-strait Foundation, Global-wide Cooperation

Pleased but humbly, Chu expressed, the financial crisis greatly impacted the top machine tool builders and unexpectedly FFG became the largest leading one in the world. However, these companies are and will still be the major and respectable competitors. Deliberately Chu said he would plan for FFG's world map. Especially in China, FFG is the only qualified manufacturer of automotive TL1 turkey production line.

FFG consists of 56 companies scattering around the world - amid them, 3 listed companies in Taiwan, 1 in HK. FFG is the only group that owns listed companies in both Taiwan and HK. In 3 years, 5 Taiwanese machine tool companies will be integrated and become another listed corporate. FFG's production sites

locate in Taiwan, China, HK, South Korea, USA, Japan, Italy, Germany and France. FFG also has joint venture cooperation with TOYOTA, SKF and other internationally reputed enterprises. In Taiwan, FFG is the only machine tool builder who has multiple overseas production sites and joint venture cooperation with international companies.