Elgin welcomes laser firm

Many, many years ago, Elgin was the "City to Watch."

Now, one could argue its on the cutting edge.

Mazak Optonics on Tuesday unveiled its new North American headquarters, which company officials say hosts the largest laser technology center in the world and a 25,000-square-foot showroom for precision cutting machines.

"This was an opportunity for us to get an affordable piece of land right near the interstate, have reasonable (property) taxes," Mazak President Bill Citron said Tuesday before a tour of the new 50,000-square-foot facility. "The town of Elgin has opened its arms."

Mazak, which employs about 65 people but will increase that number to 100 in coming years, used to be in Schaumburg but outgrew its 25,000-square-foot location.

The precision cutting laser machines help make parts that go into making other machines. Caterpillar is one of Mazak's larger clients.

When Mazak sells a firm a large, laser-cutting machine, a three-person team must travel to the suburbs for four days to learn how to use it.

This translates to about 2,400 hotel night stays a year, most in the Elgin area.

"They're bringing in people from all over the country," said Carol Gieske, Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce vice president of communications. "It certainly is impacting that economic sector."

Mazak officials also invested nearly $26 million in Elgin.

About $11 million was spent on the building itself, along with $14.6 million in parts, accessories and machines for demonstration and training.

The company also plans to erect a 150-seat auditorium in a few years to run manufacturing symposiums.

"It's really a home run," said Mayor Ed Schock. "It's just a great company and great to have them in Elgin."

Mazak's parent company, Japan-based Yamazaki Mazak Corp., is the world's largest manufacturer of machine tools.