Fadal Relaunches Under New Ownership
Fadal Engineering (Troy, MI), and Merrill Technologies Group (MTG; Troy, MI) a family-owned manufacturer, have joined forces to launch a new Fadal CNC full-range product line.
“We will manufacture in Michigan and California, and sell globally through a distributor network. The company was a global leader in the production of vertical machining centers before closing its manufacturing facility in Chatsworth, CA, in 2008,” said the chairman, Tansel Avci.
The new Fadal will launch its new Classic Series VMC at this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show being held September 8-13, in association with Ingersoll Cutting Tools (Rockford, IL).
The Classic Series VMC2516, VMC4020, VMC6030, and VMC8030 mirror the legacy box-way machine models that was once one of the most prominently known CNC machine tools for nearly 30 years. The company is also proud to announce their FG5, FL6, FL8, FL8L, FL10, and FL12 CNC horizontal turning centers.
The new company has updated the legacy American-made VMCs with the latest in engineering enhancements. “We consistently ranked best-in-class with Cat-40 spindle torque rate of 220 ft lb, nearly double that of its competition. MTG updated not only the mechanicals, for instance a new spindle design to incorporate Big Plus technology, but the new CNC-64MP control functions with the same language and compatibility of the legacy CNC-88, CNC-88HS, and CNC-32MP control, but operates with greater processing power and speed. This provides accuracy, simplicity, and a price point our customers deserve,” said Michael Naert, the vice president of operations.
“The new Fadal is all about bringing back to market an easy to use, CNC machine tool of sound design and state-of-the-art technology,” added Tim Consalvi, the director of sales.
Later in 2014, the company will release its VMC Performance Series, offering larger travels, greater weight capacity, higher traverse rates and greater CAT-50 spindle speeds. In 2015, customers will be offered even bigger machines; the Heavy Series will be Fadal’s third entry into the market. This series will have extremely large machining and turning ranges and capacity, making it desirable for the energy, off-road, aerospace and defense markets.
“Our complete line of VMCs and turning centers offer machinists varying levels of performance options to accommodate application demands and budget,” said Naert.
After being sold by its founders to Giddings & Lewis in 1995, the Fadal name changed hands numerous times through a series of mergers and acquisitions. “Fadal was once synonymous with quality, affordable CNC machinery and we look forward to restoring that reputation,” said Naert.
“There is something kind of nostalgic about bringing a once family-owned company back to its roots,” said Robert Yackel, the chief executive officer of family-owned Merrill Technologies Group and now Fadal Engineering. “The founding family of Fadal was a lot like my family, entrepreneurial, hardworking, resourceful and determined. We’re proud to lead Fadal into its next era of success and the market is hungry to have the company back.”
