NCMT History | 60 Years of Manufacturing Innovation

Pioneering Advanced Manufacturing Since 1964

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Founded in 1964, NCMT was established to introduce numerical control machine tools to the UK market, at a time when the technology was still in its infancy. The company’s name itself reflects this pioneering role, originating from Numerical Control Machine Tools, and signalling a clear focus on advanced manufacturing from the outset.

Over the decades that followed, NCMT’s development has been shaped by technical innovation, long-term partnerships, and a willingness to operate at the forefront of engineering capability. From the early adoption of CNC technology, through the introduction of high-performance grinding processes such as Viper Grinding, to supporting the evolution of modern CNC control systems, each milestone reflects a commitment to progress rather than convention.

The timeline below captures key moments in our evolution, highlighting landmark partnerships, proprietary developments, and strategic investments that continue to define NCMT today.

1964

Company Founded Makino Dealership

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NCMT was established to exclusively market Makino products in the UK and Ireland, introducing first CNC machines ever sold and installed in the UK.

1976

Okuma Dealership
Awarded

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NCMT’s addition of the Okuma line expanded its portfolio to include CNC lathes, grinders and machining centers – broadening its offering of advanced engineering solutions across the UK and Ireland.

1991

Makino GI Control & Super GI Control

Makino introduced its proprietary GI and Super GI Control systems, advanced motion control technologies designed to improve high-feed, tight-tolerance machining of complex 3D shapes, especially for the die/mould industry.

1998

Viper Grinding Launched

UK launch of Viper Grinding, a high-performace process developed for machining very hard, heat-resistant alloys such as Inconel, used in turbine blades and guide vanes, providing a productive and reliable solution for demanding applications.

1999

Opened the NCMT Technology Centre in Middlemarch, Coventry

Establishing a new head office, showroom and turnkey project facility.

2004

Easy Grind Software Introduction

NCMT developed and launched Easy Grind software to support the complexities of Viper Grinding. It has powered Makino Viper machines ever since, becoming a global standard. Easy Grind is now quoted with every new grinding machine.

2005

Viper Grinding Licensed in Europe

NCMT was granted a license to market and sell Viper Grinding across Europe

2015

Blue Photon Partnership - exclusive distribution agreement for Europe

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NCMT became the exclusive European distributor for Blue Photon’s photo-activated adhesive workholding technology, which securely holds even irregular parts while leaving
maximum surface area accessible for machining.

2018

Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade

NCMT received the Queen’s Award in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the growth of the United Kingdom’s international trade. The award acknowledged NCMT’s significant export achievements and its support for precision manufacturing across global aerospace supply chains.

2020

Management Buy Out Completed

NCMT entered a fresh chapter following the management buyout with a new leadership team whose supportive and collaborative approach set the direction for future growth and continued advancement.

2023

New CNC Control OSP-P500 Launched

Okuma launched the OSP-P500 CNC control featuring double the computing power, up to 15% faster cycle times, an on-machine digital twin, energy-saving functions and enhanced cybersecurity.

2024

Celebrated 60 Year Partnership with Makino

NCMT and Makino celebrated 60 years of partnership, marked by a visit from Makino’s president.

2026

Celebrating 50 Years with Okuma

A 50 Year partnership supplying and supporting Okuma CNC machine tools in the UK and Ireland.