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Tornos marks fifth anniversary of production site in Xi’an, China

In 2013, Tornos decided to expand its production capacity in Asia to meet its customers’ needs for entry-level and mid-range machines. Five years after its establishment in Xi'an, China, Tornos is pleased to have made the right choice and is delighted with the success of the high-quality machines produced at this production site.

It all started in 2013 in Xi’an. After six months of intensive research in Asia, the choice naturally fell on this city—the oldest of China’s four historical capitals. With 12 million inhabitants, Xi’an has experienced strong population growth in recent years and is a fertile ground for the establishment of new companies. It has an impressive number of technical schools yielding a pool of skilled labor and the city is also a center for the Chinese aviation industry.

Tornos first chose to produce a single machine—the robust and efficient CT 20—in Xi’an. This machine serves as a basis for setting up teams, a logistics chain, quality management and the establishment of Tornos Xi’an’s first R & D unit. The first year was crucial in building the necessary interactions between production sites. Faithful to its credo of operational excellence, Tornos focused intently on providing the same quality of execution in China as in Switzerland and Taiwan.

In 2014, Tornos Xi’an moved to a new factory. Thanks to the implementation of new production means, including high-end European machines including a jig computer numerical control (CNC) machining center for boring and a CNC grinding machine, Tornos ensures the supply of high quality parts.

The implementation of lean assembly ensures quality and delivery times further advances the success of Tornos Xi’an. The lean method, already applied at Tornos’ flagship Moutier, Switzerland, site and in Taichung, Taiwan, is also proven in Xi’an. The Chinese plant continues to receive key components, such as spindle and barrel parts, from Moutier. Gradually, other machines—namely the Swiss DT 13 and the Swiss DT 26—have been developed on the site.

The three production sites work together, enhancing interaction to ensure the standardization of parts. High flexibility is ensured, such exchanges help strengthen cooperation.

The results after five years are more than positive: The CT 20 is extremely reliable, while the highly reliable and efficient Swiss DT has found its markets not only in Europe, but also in Asia and the United States. These machines are known for their power and production capabilities.

Tornos Xi’an has, above all, proven successful on a human level. The core of the cohesive Xi'an team, which has grown from 16 employees in 2013 to 64 in 2018, has remained virtually unchanged over the years. The Xi'an site is not only an assembly plant; it performs application tests and setup. It is a unit close to the market, with real know-how.