From June issue, NZ Manufacturer www.nzmanufacturer.co.nz 

-Des Pitfield, Datum Machines, Lower Hutt

The Datum Machines stand was the result of 11 months of design and prototyping.

The last three months were very intense and at times very challenging. We learned a lot and realised some of our business processes and engineering production will need to change going forward.

But that’s how we learn. As the crated machine left Waiwhetu on a Mainfreight Truck heading to Auckland, Zak commented that there was 11 months of our lives in that box.

We have had a great deal of support over the last eight months or so with other small businesses helping and wanting to see Zak succeed. They recognised his determination, design talent and self-taught engineering skills which have resulted in the finished DGM-S1 Gantry Mill CNC machine.

Support from others like Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and NZ Manufacturer magazine  wanting gave Zak’s business exposure to help get the machine out there.

Exhibiting at the EMEX Engineering and Mechanical trade show was an expensive exercise and such a venture always costs a big percentage more than what you first imagine. The stand alone was $11K but I think all up it would have cost us at least $16,000, probably more.

Zak, his sister Jax and Des Pitfield.

That said, the show was a great success. The contacts made with other NZ businesses, potential suppliers, future collaborators, as well as prospective customers was worth it alone.

Everyone was impressed with the DGM-S1 and even more impressed to realise it has been Aotearoa New Zealand designed and manufactured.

Pretty much single handed by Zak.

Other exhibitors of CNC machines came by to check it out and meet Zak.  They recognised and commented on the machines look and build quality. They congratulated Zak and could see the machines capabilities in its build and realised that the Gantry Mill CNC has real potential.

While all exhibitors are there to sell their own machines and there is an element of competition, many play in very different leagues with some machines in the many hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.

Ooverall, it’s a very friendly, encouraging and supportive show. The show organisers were also very supportive and keen to see Zak get as much exposure and so generated interest where they could.

They pointed many people in the direction of the DATUM Machines stand and brought over people from education organisations and industry manufacturing groups every day.

Zak was asked to be involved with manufacturing and education organisations with interests in engineering and design. As an example of what is possible and for his input and experience in manufacturing machine building.

Of the smaller businesses exhibiting we met some really good people.  Running their own NZ businesses they fully understood how we were feeling, would we be successful after 12 months of very hard work and total investment, or not.

There was an element of Imposter Syndrome before arriving at EMEX and during the setup. Seeing all the serious CNC machines there such as HASS and Mazak with their sales teams and glossy stands. The giant stands of those like Amada which we were told by their team cost over $350K.

Zak’s machine only ever received great comments – on its finish, build quality and its potential. People from the big CNC players all came over to check it out and to meet Zak.

Everyone agreed there is nothing like it, no machines with the same capabilities available in New Zealand or Australia. All were impressed.. Great feedback.

But are we in business or are we broke?

We had been told by more experienced exhibitors not to expect confirmed sales during the show. This proved to be the case.

However, there was a great deal of interest in the DATUM Series One Gantry Mill CNC. Some hot prospects. From a few different business types as well as from the government & education sector.

Over the three days quite a few people came back to view it again, often bringing colleagues and co-workers to check it out.

We are quietly, nervously hoping the next 10 days will bring more serious enquiries and confirm our belief that visitors did make decisions at the EMEX show to place orders.

We will start some follow up with the hot prospects next week, after everyone has waded through the many follow up emails, they and we, are getting from exhibitors.

Lead times are 8 – 12 weeks for the first four machine orders. It will stretch out a bit after this.