There are many items that we rely upon in our day-to-day lives to work, travel, relax – and also to survive. Industries such as electronics, aerospace, automotive and medicine are all reliant on the high-precision manufacturing capabilities of cutting tools, without which many of the things we take for granted in the 21st century would simply not exist.

“Cutting tools shape the world around us and are an integral part of our world,” Martin U Ripple, Group CEO of ANCA, tells The CEO Magazine. “To give some context, manufacturing just one aircraft will consume hundreds of thousands of cutting tools.”

ANCA is a world-leading producer of computer numerical control tool grinders and cutters, providing customers with advanced solutions for ultra-high precision manufacturing.

Since the company’s founding 50 years ago, 1.1 billion tools have been made on ANCA machines. Today, Ripple is steering the global company to even greater heights, so much so that he was recently announced as CEO of the Year Manufacturing runner-up at The CEO Magazine’s 2024 Executive of the Year Awards.

“There is a great deal to be proud of at the helm of ANCA,” Ripple says. “We have operations in more than 30 countries and thousands of customers across critical industries in 50 countries.

“Our global presence is a testament to the company’s international reputation for excellence and its ability to meet diverse customer needs.”

Industry changes

The industry is currently undergoing a major transformation due to the growing capabilities and integration of AI. However, this shift has not caught ANCA off guard.

“Our customers are automating many of their underlying manufacturing processes,” Ripple says. “We have anticipated this trend and have invested heavily into an automation standard for the tool making industry.”

This automation standard includes the development of a new, boundary-pushing ecosystem that streamlines the entire manufacturing process for customers.

“The ANCA Integrated Manufacturing System (AIMS) is the future of optimized cutting tool production, applying smart automation that connects sequential tool production processes to offer connectivity across the whole factory,” Ripple says.

He explains that this innovation is a tonic for the rising overheads and skilled labor shortages that are plaguing its customer base.

“Cost pressures remain due to an ever-increasing regulatory framework in Australia. While new market entrants are competing on price, we have chosen to focus on ultra-high precision and are determined to stay ahead of cheaper rivals.”

Culture of innovation

Ripple says that his team culture is a significant asset for the company, helping it proudly set the pace for the global industry. He singles out three core principles of ANCA’s culture: transparency, inclusivity and continuous improvement.

“Openness and transparency are at the heart of our communication. We’ve built an environment where open dialogue is encouraged across all levels of the organization,” he says.

“We have regular town hall meetings and Q&A sessions that foster a sense of alignment with the company goals. Openness and collaboration have been pivotal to our success.”

ANCA’s success is also thanks to the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, which drives continuous improvement.

“We champion inclusivity in decision-making. Our approach is to actively seek out diverse perspectives from cross-functional teams and employees around the world,” he says.

“By embracing different viewpoints, we drive more innovative solutions and maintain our position as industry leaders.”

A bright future

Ripple is confident that ANCA will continue to be at the forefront of the global industry.

“Our vision for the future is to continue leading the precision manufacturing and tool-making industry,” he says. “We are focused on not just maintaining our leadership but setting industry benchmarks and standards that define the next era of precision manufacturing.”

As ever, the needs of its customers, who span a plethora of industries, are at the root of every decision it makes.

“We aim to create more value for our customers than our competitors by continuously enhancing our technical capabilities and delivering superior solutions, as well as high-quality products that meet the evolving needs of industries like automotive, aerospace and electronics,” he says.

And Ripple knows long-term success will be impossible without continued collaboration with its key partners, allowing the company to maintain its reputation for innovation.

“At ANCA, we value our heritage and the strong relationships we’ve built with customers and partners. These relationships form the bedrock of our success,” he says.

“We will continue to enhance our technical capabilities, create unmatched value for customers, drive innovation across the industry, and remain at the forefront of global precision manufacturing.”