Mori Seiki establishes Mori Seiki University

In an effort to develop the skilled machine tool tradesmen it needs as employees and, eventually, as it neeeds as customers, Mori Seiki ( www.moriseiki.com) has established Mori Seiki University, a new division of the company that is designed to function as a comprehensive educational resource. Dr. Masahiko Mori, president of Mori Seiki, dedicated a 9,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility May 14 near his company’s U.S. headquarters in Rolling Meadows, Ill.
Mori Seiki University will offer courses with a scientific approach to providing education on topics ranging from the nuances of newly developed machine technologies to theories on lean manufacturing.
Courses initially will be made available to the company’s employees and distributors to ensure that the knowledge base of those who represent the company match the pace of developing technology.
In the future, Mori Seiki will explore the potential to develop training courses for customers and others within the industry. The company said it hopes to offer general training — to companies outside itself and its customer base — within the next two year.
In announcing the launch of the university, Tom Dillon, president of Mori Seiki U.S.A., said the company is planning to earmark 2 percent of the $350 million a year it sees in sales — about $7 million — to the Mori Seiki University operations.
Mori Seiki appointed Rod Jones to the position of chief learning officer. As a manufacturing consultant with more than 30 years of experience, Jones will oversee the planning and actions of Mori Seiki University.
Marlow Knabach has been named vice president of Mori Seiki University and also will be responsible for guiding the institution’s development.. Knabach has more than 17 years of experience at Mori Seiki, and most recently served as vice president of marketing.
“The establishment of Mori Seiki University represents a unique effort, unlike anything that has preceded it,” Knabach said. “In recent years, the evolution of machine technology has accelerated in incredible ways. This change in the market has dramatically altered the way businesses must operate. Through the university, we will work endlessly to ensure that technology does not outpace the expertise of those responsible for its successful implementation.”
Mori Seiki is a producer of machine tools. Its U.S. headquarters are in Chicago, and it has offices in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and New Jersey.