Six years ago, there were only three Muratec machines in operation in the western United States.

Today, more than 40 machines run parts in multiple industries across the West, due in part to the work of Regional Sales Manager Troy Kattenhorn.

“I can’t take all the credit because the people before me paved the way by introducing automated turning to the territory,” Troy said. “With these machines in place, we partnered with some very good dealer salespeople to expand the territory.”

Troy Kattenhorn talks to booth visitors at IMTS 2024 in Chicago.

With his dealer partners, Troy explained that he’s helped educate manufacturers about the automated turning process, which is more than “just a bar feeder and parts catcher.” He emphasizes the importance of incorporating value-added steps—such as washing, measuring, and marking—so that parts are fully finished and production lines operate more efficiently.

“Our process is different because we not only save labor costs, we also decrease cycle times, reduce wasted material, and make more consistent parts,” Troy said.

After Troy made recommendations and assisted with multiple interviews of potential new dealers, Muratec USA recently chose a new partner to represent the West Coast: Selway Machine Tool Company.

The family-owned Selway, Troy said, is a perfect fit for Muratec USA, with 60+ years in the business and focus on technology-driven solutions.

“Their experience in 5-axis, automation with what I call ‘pallet and pull-stud productivity,’ mirrors with the way we [at Muratec USA] think,” Troy said. “Not just a machine in a box delivered to your floor, but a technology-driven solution to fill manufacturing’s need for flawless parts in a timely manner, and answers the labor problem looming in the near distance.”

With a growing customer base, a trusted new dealer partner, and a clear vision for automation in the region, Troy shared more insights about his territory, its industries, and where he sees the most opportunity.

How would you describe your territory in terms of industry focus and customer maturity with automation? 
West Coast manufacturers are anxiously engaged in automating everything they can. While it might not always involve a robot tending a machine, customers are consistently looking for creative ways to cut labor costs and boost productivity across all aspects of manufacturing. 

What makes the West Coast different from other U.S. regions when it comes to selling Muratec machines? 
Muratec has always been strong in the high-production automotive market. Since I joined Murata Machinery USA, we’ve seen a shift toward lower volumes and a greater variety of part numbers. We’re no longer focused solely on hockey pucks and doughnuts. Today, our emphasis is on multi-axis, high-complexity, high-accuracy parts. We’re directing our efforts toward infusing standard Muratec machines with quick changeover features, allowing customers to reconfigure the machine and automation within minutes instead of hours—or even days. For example, we have aerospace customers with lot sizes of just 30 parts who perform several changeovers each day. 

Which industries have been most active in investing in Muratec machines recently, and why? 
Aerospace has definitely been the market where we’ve found the most success. Applications involving fasteners, hydraulic fittings, and high-tolerance, difficult-to-machine materials align perfectly with Muratec’s manufacturing strengths. 

Which Muratec machines or automation solutions have performed best in your region, and what’s driving that success? 
My favorite machine is the MW100GTII. It’s a very fast and flexible machine, incorporating many new features that reduce overall cycle time. We offer several feeding solutions for it, and can also integrate proven accessories to wash, measure, and mark the completed part. This machine has produced millions of parts in my territory—without a single spindle replacement. 

The MW100GTII has produced millions of parts in Troy Kattenhorn’s West Coast territory without the need for a single spindle replacement, showing the durability and reliability of Muratec machines.

What industries or applications in your region do you believe are underdeveloped or overlooked for Muratec but could be a good fit? 
I’d like to see more job shops use our technology in their daily production. Many assume you need to make thousands of parts to justify automation, but not only have we’ve proven otherwise, we have job shop customers who have also proven otherwise. We’ve found many applications where Muratec automation has transformed the way parts are made. While it does require a little extra thought and planning, it ultimately results in greater productivity and profitability.

What’s a typical customer profile in your territory—small job shops, large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract manufacturers, etc.? 
Our typical customers range from family-run job shops to multinational, high-production OEMs. We’ve built a support structure—within both Murata Machinery and our dealer network—that can handle virtually any production environment. 

Are there any machines in our lineup that you feel have untapped potential and have room to grow in your market?
Our new MT1065EX is poised to fill any remaining gaps in our product line. It’s truly a “job shop in a box.” With twin spindles and twin turrets, there are very few parts this platform can’t handle, even for shops making only a handful of parts at a time. Thanks to the potential capacity of 50+ tools in the turrets, shops can leave the machine set up for multiple jobs. It’s cost-effective and competitively priced—especially when you consider the unmatched Japanese quality and precision. 

You’ve helped build the West Coast territory from scratch. What does it mean to you personally to represent Muratec and its 50-year legacy of automation in North America? 
I’m proud to be part of the Muratec USA family and grateful for the opportunity to build something from scratch. It’s easy to succeed when you have some of the best machine tools, supported by the best people in the industry. When I started, I was told that we never give up—and that commitment is evident every day. When a customer needs us, we’re there to help.