Yamazaki Mazak has more than doubled the capacity of its parts operations with the opening of its expanded European parts centre.

Located in Leuven, Belgium, this has increased its warehouse capacity from 2,700sq m to 4,600sq m — plus it can ship 97% of Mazak parts the same day.

The parts centre can handle more than 20,000 parts per month, with orders being processed 365 days a year. A second stage of expansion to the facility is due to complete in 2022; this will increase the warehouse capacity to 5,528 sq m.

The new centre will hold stock worth 37 million euros, comprising 35,000 part numbers for machines across the Mazak range — including those that are no longer in production. After the scheduled second stage of expansion is completed, the quantity of part numbers in stock will double.

The warehouse is fully automated and equipped with a new ‘mini-load’ system for small-parts picking from 8,000 trays, while a stacker crane system will access 3,000 medium- to large-size pallets.

The entire facility is integrated into the Mazak network, with a high-end parts ordering system that supports on-line ordering from all Mazak offices; there is also real-time stock visibility for dealers, as well as linked Web site tracking for shipment status checking.

Marcus Burton — Yamazaki Mazak’s European group managing director — said: “The opening of the expanded parts centre sends out a clear message that after-sales support is an essential part of our on-going commitment to custom-
ers and that we will continue to invest in our service and support capabilities.”