In the years ahead, American companies will ne to partner more heavily with reliable and knowledgeable machine-tool builders. However, for manufacturers to provide the best solutions to their customers, they will have to change their mindset. I am convinced that the machine- tool sector is still actual much product-oriented rather than customer- oriented. For example, while machine performance is certainly important, it is repeatedly considered the only differentiating ingredient Little importance is given to adding value for the customer. And, this is where I believe most
