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NCMT

ServiceCoventry, EnglandFounded 1964· One of 2012 Service companies tracked by AMPulse

UK distributor of Japanese CNC machine tools (Okuma, Makino) and additive manufacturing solutions for metal cutting and grinding applications

CEO / Founder
Jonathan Smart
Team Size
51-200
Stage
Established
Total Funding
$19M
Latest Round
Debt
Key Investors
Santander Corporate & Commercial; Management Buyout Team (2020)

Technology & Products

Key Products

CNC machine tools (turning, milling, multi-tasking, 5-axis); Makino grinding and EDM machines; Okuma LASER EX hybrid additive-subtractive platforms (laser metal deposition); Blue Photon UV workholding; automation solutions (pallet changers, gantry loaders); Tritone MoldJet metal/ceramic 3D printers (distribution partner)

Technological Advantage

60-year exclusive partnerships with Okuma and Makino; co-developed Viper Grinding process with Rolls-Royce and Makino; exclusive European distributor for Blue Photon workholding; exclusive UK/Ireland distributor for Tritone MoldJet AM technology; developed Easy Grind software used on Makino Viper machines globally

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Exclusive UK supplier of Okuma and Makino machine tools with 60+ years of application engineering, service, and turnkey manufacturing solutions

How They Differentiate

Exclusive access to two Japanese brands (Okuma + Makino) with 60-year relationships; technical co-development capability (Viper Grinding with Rolls-Royce); hybrid additive-subtractive solutions via Okuma LASER EX; proprietary Easy Grind software; full turnkey and automation integration

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, defence, and subcontract precision manufacturers in the UK and Europe

Industry Verticals

Aerospace; Automotive and Motorsport; Energy; Medical; Defence; Mould & Die; Subcontract Manufacturing

Competitors

Kingsbury (UK CNC machine tool distributor); SYS Systems (UK additive manufacturing reseller); Livingston Machine Tools (Scottish CNC distributor)

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Revenue ~$26.3M (estimated); export business grew from £1.7M (2013/14) to £14M (2018); 112 employees on LinkedIn; 5,810 LinkedIn followers

Major Milestones

1964: Founded, became exclusive Makino UK distributor; 1976: Okuma dealership awarded; 1998: Viper Grinding launched; 2004: Easy Grind software developed; 2005: Viper Grinding licensed across Europe; 2015: Blue Photon exclusive European distribution; 2018: Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade; 2020: Management Buyout; 2024: £15M Santander refinancing; 2024: Tritone MoldJet distribution agreement; 2024: 60th anniversary; 2026: 50-year Okuma partnership celebrated

Notable Customers

Rolls-Royce (Viper Grinding co-development partner); EVTEC (EV manufacturing); BEL Engineering UK

https://www.ncmt.co.uk

Recent coverage of NCMT

Why this company matters

NCMT occupies a distinct position in the UK manufacturing supply chain as the exclusive distributor of two Japanese machine tool brands, Okuma and Makino, with relationships spanning 50 and 60 years respectively. Unlike generalist resellers, the company has built a technical co-development capability, most notably the Viper Grinding process co-developed with Rolls-Royce and Makino, and its own Easy Grind software now used on Makino Viper machines globally. This depth of application engineering and turnkey integration sets it apart from competitors such as Kingsbury and Livingston Machine Tools.

The company's core offering spans CNC turning, milling, multi-tasking, and 5-axis machining from Okuma and Makino, plus Makino grinding and EDM machines. On the additive side, NCMT distributes the Okuma LASER EX hybrid platforms, which combine laser metal deposition with subtractive machining in a single machine, and the Tritone MoldJet system for metal and ceramic 3D printing. It also holds exclusive European distribution rights for Blue Photon UV workholding and provides automation solutions including pallet changers and gantry loaders.

NCMT serves precision manufacturers in aerospace, automotive and motorsport, energy, medical, defence, and mould and die sectors. Named customers include Rolls-Royce, EVTEC in EV manufacturing, and BEL Engineering UK. The company's export business grew from £1.7 million in 2013/14 to £14 million by 2018, and it received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade that year. Revenue is estimated at approximately $26.3 million, with 112 employees on LinkedIn.

The company's strategic moat rests on its exclusive, decades-long partnerships with Okuma and Makino, which are difficult for competitors to replicate. Its co-development work with Rolls-Royce and proprietary software add further differentiation. However, as a distributor, NCMT remains dependent on its principals' product roadmaps and channel strategies. The 2020 management buyout and a £15 million Santander refinancing in 2024 suggest a stable capital structure, but the company's growth trajectory will hinge on adoption of hybrid AM among its core aerospace and automotive customers.