Coffee Break: Matt Dye, Mitutoyo America Corporation

Name: Matt Dye

Title: President

Company: Mitutoyo America Corporation

Address: 965 Corporate Blvd., Aurora

Phone: 1-888-Mitutoyo

Website: mitutoyo.com

Industry: Manufacturing

Annual revenue: Privately Held

Number of employees: 384

Age: 52

Family information: Married with two daughters

Hometown: St. Charles

Q: Describe your company.

Mitutoyo America Corporation serves manufacturers of many industry segments by providing precision measurement solutions. Our parent company, Mitutoyo Corporation, based in Kawasaki, Japan, is the leading manufacturer of precision measuring tools and instruments. Our tools ensure that manufactured products meet design and functional requirements in the automotive, medical, aerospace, and semiconductor industries while also supporting a wide range of other measurement needs.

Q: Do you plan to hire any additional staff or make any significant capital investments in your company in the next year?

Yes. Mitutoyo America Corporation has been growing to bring additional offerings of service, support, and engineered solutions to the market. Over the past two years, our company has added new resources such as the enhanced services team, where members use our products to provide contract inspection and part programming services. In addition, we have invested in expansion of our engineering resources to start a new industry-focused team for electric vehicles and the continuous expansion of the semiconductor industry.

Q: What will your company’s main challenges be in the next year?

A: Key challenge is to continue to add resources and staff to support the ever-changing demands on manufacturers. We see a great need to support industry with workforce development resources and in finding ways to implement new technologies in the most efficient and economical fashion. We will continue to expand our e-Learning resources found on our website while at the same time offering in-person courses at one of our eleven metrology centers around the U.S. and Canada. We will also continue to hire new team members to keep up with the growing demands of contract inspection and field calibration services.

Q: What’s the hottest trend in your industry?

Automation is the buzz word not only for large scale manufacturers, but also producers of any size. Our company can help realize the best use of automation by providing data about the manufacturing process in a near real-time fashion. By collecting data about a manufacturing process, as an example, we can feedback corrected data for the machine to produce in tolerance features despite tool wear and variations in raw material.

Another trend is to be able to provide a solution, not only a product. Often, the product out of the box will fit the need. However, there are a growing number of applications that require enhancements to customize the tool for use. We call these engineered solutions. However, the term is so broad that it becomes hard to imagine what it means. If we think about putting the tool to use on the first day after the installation is completed, then the solution may include: programming of the CNC system, devices to ensure operator safety, data collection and process monitoring, enclosures for environmental control, part handling devices, or even defect detection sensors. This trend will continue to be a key focus area of growth for Mitutoyo America.

Q: If you had one tip to give to a rookie executive, what would it be?

Add sharing and listening to each step in your business planning process. Listen, then plan. Communicate, then act.

Q: Do you have a business mantra?

From our founder, Dr. Yehan Numata: Good Environment, Good People, Good Technique.

It takes a continuous focus on these three elements to grow the company as a valued partner to industry and a committed employer.

Q: From a business outlook, whom do you look up to?

I have had a chance to learn from many people over the years. I appreciate and admire the long service our team members of the past and present have given to our company.

Q: What is one interesting fact about you or your company that most people may not know?

From a young age, our founder was determined to build a company that contributed to the well being of society and provide the best products to manufacturers around the world. In 1916, Yehan Numata left Japan to study English. His first stop was in Hawaii where he joined an elementary school to learn English, despite being much older than the other students. After two years of study in Hawaii, he then moved to Southern California, where he went on to graduate from Hollywood High School. Then he attended the University of California at Berkley and received a master’s degree in statistics and economics in 1928. After his time in Berkley, Numata returned to Japan and ultimately founded Mitutoyo Manufacturing Company in 1934.

Q: Was there a moment in your career that didn’t go as you had planned? What lesson did you learn from it?

There have been many lessons learned and more to come. However, I have come to realize, there is no perfect time for trying something new for the purpose of improvement. Do not wait, instead, make a plan, communicate, then act.

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

Woodworking, travel, family time.

Q: What book is on your nightstand?

The consistent book on my nightstand is a notebook with a pen. I often need to put thoughts down when I get them, regardless of the time.

Q: If you were not doing this job, what do you think you would be doing?

I would be in manufacturing of some type. I have been exposed to and enjoyed learning about woodworking and metal cutting from an early age. The idea of building things has always been exciting for me.

Q: What was your first paying job?

Roofing houses while in high school.

Q: If you could put your company name on a sports venue, which one would you choose?

It is not well known here in the U.S., however Mitutoyo is a proud sponsor of the Kawasaki Brave Thunders professional basketball team in Kawasaki Japan.