Absolute Machine Tools
Absolute Machine Tools is an employee-owned master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools, EDM systems, and collaborative automation serving North American manufacturers since 1988, distributing global OEM brands with 150+ machines in stock and a $20 million spare parts inventory.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersLorain, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Absolute Machine Tools does
Absolute Machine Tools is a master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools serving manufacturers throughout North America (United States and Canada). Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Lorain, Ohio, the employee-owned company distributes a broad portfolio of metal cutting and automation equipment from a set of long-tenured OEM partners including Johnford, You Ji, AccuteX EDM, APEC, Nexturn, Precihole, Productive Robotics, FANUC, Mitsubishi, QuickTech, Tongtai, and Shimada-Kitako. The company addresses mid-market and enterprise customers across aerospace, medical devices, mold and die, automotive, firearms, energy, military/defense, job shop, and high-volume production segments, with named case-study customers ranging from small job shops (Lakeview Precision) to multi-machine enterprise operators (Sattler Machine, four Tongtai horizontals).
The product portfolio spans 5-axis machining centers, horizontal and table-type boring mills, double-column bridge mills, EDM systems (wire, die sinkers, small-hole drills), Swiss-type CNC lathes, multi-spindle automatic lathes, flat-bed and slant-bed CNC lathes, vertical turning centers, and gun drilling / BTA deep hole drilling systems. Through its A+ Automation Team, Absolute distributes and integrates collaborative robots (notably the Productive Robotics OB7 7-axis cobot), FANUC and Mitsubishi robotic cells, machine tending packages, and a proprietary Master Interface Unit (MIU) that simplifies cobot-to-CNC integration. Notable technical differentiators in the OEM brand lineup include Adaptive Parameter Control (APC) for AccuteX EDM die sinkers and Servo Learning Oscillation chip-breaking control for Nexturn Swiss lathes.
Absolute generates revenue across four streams: (1) capital equipment sales of new and used CNC machines, with 150+ units stocked for immediate U.S. delivery and individual pricing ranging from entry-level Swiss lathes to $750K–$2M+ 5-axis gantry systems; (2) spare parts and consumables, supported by over $20 million in inventory covering both current and legacy machines; (3) automation integration revenue via the A+ Automation Team; and (4) recurring service revenue through a tiered, annual-subscription Preventive Maintenance Program and applications engineering support. Distribution occurs via a two-tier channel — direct enterprise sales with applications engineering plus a North American distributor network — and the company has operated as an employee-owned ESOP since 2018.
Absolute Machine Tools firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Absolute Machine Tools
- Legal name
- Absolute Machine Tools
- Website
- https://absolutemachine.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Absolute Machine Tools is an employee-owned master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools, EDM systems, and collaborative automation serving North American manufacturers since 1988, distributing global OEM brands with 150+ machines in stock and a $20 million spare parts inventory.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Absolute Machine Tools industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CNC Machine Tool Distribution and Industrial Automation
- NAICS
- Machine Tool Manufacturing (333517), Industrial Machinery Manufacturing (3332)
- SIC
- Machine Tools, Metal Cutting Types (3541), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers) (IMAHADAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Factory Automation Cells & Integrated Systems (Assembly, Welding, Painting Lines) (IMAHAHAL), Linear Motion & Mechanical Power Transmission (Ball/roller screws, linear guides, bearings, couplings) (IMAHAGAM)
Keywords
Where Absolute Machine Tools is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lorain
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Absolute Machine Tools business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CNC Machine Tool Sales: Sale of new and used CNC machine tools including 5-axis machining centers, boring mills, bridge mills, lathes, EDM machines, grinding machines, gun drilling machines, and other metalworking equipment. The company maintains 150+ machines in stock for immediate delivery.
- Spare Parts and Consumables: Sale of spare parts and consumables for CNC machines. The company has invested over $20 million in spare parts inventory to reduce downtime for customers.
- Automation Solutions: Sale and integration of CNC automation solutions including collaborative robots, machine tending packages, auto door kits, and Master Interface Units through the A+ Automation Team.
- Service and Support: Post-sale service, applications engineering support, preventive maintenance programs, and training services to maximize uptime and minimize downtime for customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Machine Sales - Wide range from entry-level to large-scale industrial equipment |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Spare Parts and Consumables |
| Subscription | Annual | Preventive Maintenance Programs (PMP) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Absolute Machine Tools product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Absolute Machine Tools is a master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools serving North American manufacturers since 1988. The company distributes new and used CNC machines across categories including 5-axis machining centers, boring mills, bridge mills, EDM systems (wire, die sinkers, hole drills), Swiss lathes, multi-spindle automatics, and gun drilling machines from OEMs such as Johnford, You Ji, APEC, AccuteX, Nexturn, and Precihole. The A+ Automation division provides collaborative robot integration, machine tending packages, and Master Interface Units, backed by applications engineering, preventive maintenance programs, and a $20M+ spare parts inventory.
Product overview
Absolute Machine Tools is a master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools throughout North America, serving manufacturers since 1988. The company operates as an employee-owned ESOP (since 2018) and offers a comprehensive portfolio of metal cutting and automation products. The product lineup spans multiple machine categories including 5-axis machining centers, boring mills, bridge mills, EDM solutions (wire EDM, die sinkers, hole drills with consumables), Swiss lathes, multi-spindle automatics, flat bed and slant bed CNC lathes, gun drilling machines, and machining centers. Their automation division (A+ Automation Team) provides cobot machine tending, Master Interface Unit (MIU), and robotic integration services. Key brands distributed include Johnford, You Ji, AccuteX EDM, APEC, Nexturn, Precihole, Productive Robotics, QuickTech, Shimada-Kitako, and Tongtai. The company maintains 150+ machines in stock and over $20 million in spare parts inventory.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- A+ Automation Team: The company's automation division offering CNC machine automation solutions, collaborative robots (cobots), and integration services including OB7 7-axis cobots and automation packages for manufacturers.
Products and services
- 5-Axis CNC Machines 5-axis machining centers for aerospace, automotive, mold, die, and energy industries, including Johnford DMC series bridge mills and APEC gantry/horizontal machines. Target customers are manufacturers producing complex geometries requiring single-setup machining for tight tolerances.
- Boring Mills Horizontal floor-type and table-type CNC boring mills from Johnford and You Ji with Meehanite castings, box-way construction, and gear-driven spindles for large-part machining applications.
- Bridge Mills Double-column machining centers from Johnford (DMC, SDMC series) and APEC (G, GM, MT, MTH, MC series) for large-scale precision machining of aerospace, mold, die, and energy components.
- AccuteX EDM Die Sinker Machines EDM die sinking systems including EX Series (multi-axis) and NX Series (conversational CNC) with Windows-based controls, adaptive spark control (APC), and twin-head configurations for mold and die applications.
- River EDM Hole Drilling Machines Small-hole EDM drilling machines from Ocean Technologies, including ZNC (manual) and CNC models with 3- to 6-axis capability, HP1+ discharge technology, and automation options.
- AccuteX Wire EDM Machines Submerged and flushing-type CNC wire EDM machines including AZ, AL, AP, GA, AU-iA, and AU-i series with linear motor technology and ueX10 CNC control for precision cutting.
- EDM Consumables OEM-grade EDM consumables for AccuteX wire EDM, die sinkers, and River hole drilling machines including brass wire, coated wire, filters, guides, and dielectric components.
- Shimada-Kitako Multi-Spindle Automatic Lathes High-volume automatic CNC lathes including B6 Series (6-spindle), 2SI MKII (twin-spindle), and HS4200 (4-spindle) for near-zero load time production turning.
- Nexturn Swiss CNC Lathes Swiss-type CNC turning centers in 7- to 11-axis configurations (B, PII, PYII, XII, XIII series) with sliding headstock design, guide bushing, and up to 33-tool capacity for precision turning of intricate high-volume parts.
- Johnford LC Series Flat Bed CNC Lathes Super large, heavy-duty flat bed CNC lathes with distances between centers from 80 to 788 inches, swing over bed from 40 to 90 inches, and spindle powers from 50 to 133 hp.
- Johnford Slant Bed CNC Lathes Horizontal slant bed CNC lathes including GT, HT, SL, and ST series from 30° to 60° bed angles, with up to 61 inch swing over bed and automation-ready configurations.
- Precihole Gun Drilling Machines Deep hole drilling and finishing machines including GVN, GVN-C, PMTC series for BTA drilling, rifling, honing, reaming, and shaft straightening applications in firearms and energy industries.
- A+ Automation Team CNC machine automation solutions including cobot machine tending packages, Master Interface Unit (MIU), auto door kits, and robotic integration for Productive Robotics OB7, FANUC, and Mitsubishi robots. Helps manufacturers modernize operations and fill employment gaps.
- Machine Accessories CNC machine tool accessories including rotary tables, indexing tables, bar feeders, tailstocks, air filtration systems, high pressure coolant systems, and oil skimmers.
- Preventive Maintenance Programs Three levels of preventive maintenance programs with scheduled tracking, service, and support for CNC machines, including level & square alignment, servo tuning, pitch error compensation, and ballbar circularity inspection.
Quantifiable outcome
- 150+ machines in stock ready for immediate delivery
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Absolute Machine Tools
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Absolute Machine Tools technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Absolute Machine Tools partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- AMCT (Absolute Machine Control Technologies)coreAMCT (Absolute Machine Control Technologies), a Rockford, Illinois-based controls engineering and control system integration company founded in 2008 by Jeff Schlais. AMCT specialized in electrical and software design for industrial machine controls, PLC programming, HMI, servo systems, electrical design, and complete control systems for automated equipment. Sterling Engineering acquired AMCT in March 2026, positioning Sterling as a single-source engineering partner for complex automation systems.
- JohnfordcoreLong-standing partnership spanning 4 decades with Johnford for bridge mills, boring mills, and large lathes. Johnford has over 45 years of bridge mill expertise with Meehanite cast-iron construction and box-way systems.
- APEC (Asia Pacific Elite Corp.)corePartnership with APEC for 5-axis high-speed gantry machining centers, horizontal machining centers, and bridge mills for aerospace, mold/die, and precision machining applications. APEC is a core subsidiary of TTGroup/Tongtai.
- PreciholecorePartnership with Precihole for deep hole drilling machines, gun drilling, BTA drilling, honing, lapping, rifling, and related hole finishing solutions. Precihole is recognized as the leading provider of deep hole drilling equipment globally.
- NexturncoreExclusive North American distributor for Nexturn Swiss-type CNC lathes for over 20 years. Nexturn offers 7- to 11-axis Swiss lathes with 2- and 3-Y-axis models for precision production turning of intricate high-volume parts.
- AccuteX EDMcorePartnership for AccuteX brand wire EDMs, die sinkers, and EDM controls. AccuteX machines feature Windows-based CNC controls, adaptive spark control (APC), and linear motor technology.
- Productive RoboticscoreRepresents Productive Robotics OB7 7-axis collaborative robots through A+ Automation Team. OB7 cobots use self-teaching platform for easy programming and machine tending applications.
- FANUCcoreCertified FANUC Robotics integration and automation partner. Offers FANUC articulated and collaborative robots including CRX series for machine tending applications. Also uses FANUC Servo Learning Oscillation feature in Nexturn Swiss lathes.
- Mitsubishi ElectriccorePartnership for Mitsubishi automation and robotics through A+ Automation Team. Products include LoadMate Plus self-contained machine tending robotic cells and RV series industrial robots.
- You JimajorPartnership for You Ji vertical lathes and vertical turning centers, horizontal boring mills, and slant bed lathes for oil and gas industries.
- Shimada-KitakomajorPartnership with Shimada for multi-spindle automatic lathes and chuckers including B6 Series (6-spindle), 2SI MKII Series (twin-spindle), and HS4200 Series (4-spindle) for high-volume production.
- QuickTechmajorPartnership for QuickTech multi-axis, multi-spindle mill-turn centers including Eco Series, ROBO Series, S-ATM Series, T8 Series, and Twin Series configurations.
- Ocean TechnologiesmajorPartnership for River EDM small hole drilling machines. Ocean Technologies is a global leader in high-accuracy small-hole EDM solutions including wire start holes and multi-axis configurations.
- LICOmajorPartnership for LICO multi-slide CNC screw machines for high-volume turning applications.
- EnshuminorPartnership for Enshu horizontal CNC machining centers.
- SeikiminorPartnership for Seiki high production mill/drill/tap centers.
- TongtaimajorPartnership for Tongtai CNC machines including horizontal machining centers and automation solutions. Tongtai is the parent company of APEC.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Absolute Machine Tools competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Mazak Corporation: Major Japanese CNC machine tool builder with extensive direct U.S. sales, service and financing infrastructure. Overlaps with Absolute across 5-axis, turning, multi-tasking and automation; a benchmark competitor on enterprise accounts and service network.
- DMG MORI USA: Global CNC machine tool major with direct North American sales, service and technology centers. Competes across 5-axis machining, turning and additive manufacturing — overlapping with Absolute's Johnford, APEC, Tongtai and You Ji lines, especially in aerospace and medical.
- Okuma America: U.S. subsidiary of Okuma Corporation, a global CNC machine tool builder with direct sales and a large North American distributor/dealer network. Competes across VMCs, HMCs, lathes and 5-axis — overlapping with Absolute's primary product categories.
- Makino: Japanese-founded, U.S.-based high-end CNC machine tool and EDM manufacturer with direct sales and applications engineering. Competes with Absolute in 5-axis, horizontal machining, die/mold and EDM across aerospace and medical.
Direct peers
- Sodick: Specialist CNC EDM (wire, die sink, hole drill) and high-precision milling manufacturer with direct North American sales. Most directly comparable to Absolute's AccuteX and Ocean Technologies EDM portfolio, and a competitor on EDM consumables.
- Tornos US: Swiss-type lathe specialist selling direct in North America, competing head-to-head with Absolute's Nexturn Swiss lathes in medical, firearms and high-volume precision turning.
- Methods Machine Tools: Long-standing U.S. importer/distributor of CNC machine tools (Nakamura-Tome, Kiwa, Yama Seiki, Okamoto) with a similar multi-OEM distribution model, in-stock inventory and applications-engineering sales motion. The most directly comparable U.S. peer to Absolute Machine Tools.
- Hurco Companies: U.S.-headquartered CNC machine tool builder selling VMCs, turning centers and 5-axis machines direct to North American job shops and contract manufacturers. Comparable customer base (job shops, mold & die, firearms) and competing product categories.
- Haas Automation: Largest U.S.-based CNC machine tool manufacturer selling VMCs, HMCs, lathes and 5-axis machines direct to North American manufacturers. Competes head-to-head with many of the same product categories (vertical machining centers, lathes, 5-axis) that Absolute distributes, and benefits from domestic manufacturing versus Absolute's Asian imports.
- Tsugami America: U.S. sales subsidiary of Tsugami Corporation, a leading Swiss-type CNC lathe builder. Competes directly with Absolute's Nexturn line in medical, electronics and precision component machining.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Absolute Machine Tools social profiles
Digital presenceAbsolute Machine Tools financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Absolute Machine Tools leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Absolute Machine Tools funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Absolute Machine Tools M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Absolute Machine Tools
What does Absolute Machine Tools do?
Absolute Machine Tools is a master importer and distributor of CNC machine tools serving North American manufacturers since 1988. The company distributes new and used CNC machines across categories including 5-axis machining centers, boring mills, bridge mills, EDM systems (wire, die sinkers, hole drills), Swiss lathes, multi-spindle automatics, and gun drilling machines from OEMs such as Johnford, You Ji, APEC, AccuteX, Nexturn, and Precihole. The A+ Automation division provides collaborative robot integration, machine tending packages, and Master Interface Units, backed by applications engineering, preventive maintenance programs, and a $20M+ spare parts inventory.
Is Absolute Machine Tools a public or private company?
Absolute Machine Tools is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Absolute Machine Tools founded?
Absolute Machine Tools was founded in 1988. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Absolute Machine Tools based?
Absolute Machine Tools is headquartered in Lorain, United States, in the North America region.
How does Absolute Machine Tools make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. CNC Machine Tool Sales are the primary driver. The others are spare Parts and Consumables, automation Solutions and service and Support.
Who are Absolute Machine Tools's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Mazak Corporation, DMG MORI USA, Okuma America and Makino. Direct peers are Sodick, Tornos US, Methods Machine Tools, Hurco Companies, Haas Automation and Tsugami America.
Does Absolute Machine Tools have an API?
No public API is recorded for Absolute Machine Tools.
What industry is Absolute Machine Tools in?
Absolute Machine Tools's product category is CNC Machine Tool Distribution and Industrial Automation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHADAA, CNC Machine Tools (Turning, Milling, Machining Centers), with a secondary code of IMAGABAG, Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers). Its NAICS code is 333517 and its SIC code is 3541.