Lida Machinery Co., Ltd. (the factory below) was established in Taichung in 1972, focusing on the production of various precision woodworking machinery. It is the world's second largest manufacturer of four-sided molding machines.

In his November FDMC article, Taiwanese machinery manufacturers talked about technology and innovation for North America, and editorial director Will Sampson discussed how the country has become a key player in the global woodworking industry. According to data from the Taiwan Foreign Trade Development Council (TAITRA), Taiwan has made headlines because of its main source of precision electronic products that are vital to the global supply chain, and it is also a major exporter of woodworking machinery. Indeed, many Taiwanese woodworking machinery companies have been cooperating closely with North American machinery brands and furniture factories for decades. Woodworking Network interviewed four of these companies to gain insights into their technologies. The four articles in this series will introduce Leadermac, Borke, Bravoprodigy (Xin Ren Yang) and OAV in detail. Leadermac Machinery is the world's second largest manufacturer of four-sided forming machines. Their products are sold all over the world by local agents or distributors in 65 countries. Founded in Taichung in 1972, it focuses on the production of various woodworking machinery. The company subsequently founded the LMC brand, focusing on the development of high-performance, high-precision products, including four-sided molding machines, hand scraping floor machines, grinders, automatic feeding and discharging machines and complete line systems. 

The company also has a number of international patents and innovative technologies that can help customers achieve extensive customization. In this article, Woodworking Network interviewed Leadermac CEO Michael Chang. 

Woodworking Network: What does your progress in remote diagnosis mean to mold operators?

Michael Chang: For example, tool change has been automated, and operators can switch tools quickly and easily. In addition, these intelligent systems can capture data on all machine functions, such as spindle and tool status, to optimize machine maintenance. Engineering can now solve problems in real time from anywhere in the world.

WN: From Will Sampson's article, we see that Leadermac has been incorporating the most advanced technology into its molds. How does Lida smart equipment save labor costs and increase productivity?

Michael Chang: The most important feature of our smart devices is the ability to prevent downtime, thereby saving money. In addition, our system supports cloud functions, so operators or managers can access the data in the machine through any device such as iPad, iPhone or laptop. Woodworking companies can now share and analyze historical machine data to perform predictive maintenance and project manufacturing capabilities.

WN: What are the main reasons why North American operators consider Taiwanese woodworking machines? 

Michael Chang: Taiwan's woodworking machinery manufacturers are known for producing high-quality machines that can compete with equipment manufactured anywhere in the world (including Europe) in terms of technology. The growth of Taiwan's global woodworking machinery exports is a testament to the quality reputation and trust our manufacturers have earned. From basic machines to advanced Industry 4.0 systems, Taiwan's woodworking machinery industry provides "one-stop shopping" for any company's manufacturing needs.

WN: Can you talk about the "unique hub" of Taiwan's machinery manufacturers?

Michael Chang: We have a community in Taiwan of 200 companies that manufacture woodworking machinery. Each of them specializes in a specific category of equipment. Through years of research and development, this Taiwanese manufacturer's center has established a complete and tight supply chain capable of manufacturing highly customized products. In general, the woodworking machinery industry in Taiwan is known for its compact supply chain, high quality and highly customized production.

Leadermac is one of many Taiwanese woodworking machinery companies and has been transforming and adopting automation and smart technology. Learn more about the other three Taiwanese woodworking machinery companies: Borke, Bravoprodigy (Xin Ren Yang) and OAV.  

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Harry Urban is the publisher of Woodworking Network. Urban has more than 30 years of experience in B2B publishing, trade shows and conferences. He has traveled extensively in North America and overseas, visiting and reporting on major manufacturing facilities and trade shows. 

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