Published 8/19/2011

Forbes Names FANUC Corp. In Top 100 Most Innovative Companies

FANUC Corp., maker of CNC systems, robots and machine tools has been named as one of the top 100 companies in the "World's Most Innovative Companies" list published recently in Forbes magazine. These companies were chosen because of their capacity to develop new products likely to ensure future success.

Automation

Mark Albert

Editor Emeritus, Modern Machine Shop

A lot of innovative companies introduce new products, but some introduce the kind of new products that fuel anticipated growth and create continued demand. Forbes magazine was apparently looking for this kind of innovation when it put together its list of the "World's Most Innovative Companies," which was published in a recent issue. The list includes 100 companies, one of which is FANUC Corporation, the diversified manufacturer of CNC systems robots and machine tools. FANUC is based in Japan at the foot of Mount Fuji. FANUC Factory Automation America (FANUC FA America), the corporation's arm for providing CNC systems in the United States, is located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

According to FANUC FA America, the Forbes list recognizes the world's leading-edge corporations that are most likely to continue to succeed today and in the future. This list is based on a comprehensive eight-year study completed by professors and advisers in which they discovered what particular skills identified business innovators. This study determined that calculating a company's value plus anticipated growth fueled by innovative products will identify the most innovative companies. By quantifying their findings, the researchers developed a specific measure that was used to rank the companies. “Embedded in each of these companies is a code for innovation, discernible in their people, processes and philosophy. This innovation creates a demand for their products now and in the future," the company says.

Since its inception in 1956 FANUC has contributed to the automation of machine tools as a pioneer in the development of CNC equipment.

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