The time-honored "Leadermac" has been deeply involved in the woodworking machinery industry in Taiwan. Leadermac Machinery company now is the world’s second largest manufacturer of four side moulder. This year celebrates its 50th anniversary. The two generations relay of the Chang family in 50 years has completed the proud, "Taiwan number one. At this important moment, the editorial team interviewed Michael Chang, president of Leadermac, and listened to him elaborate on the company’s growth and future vision and plans.

Leadermac important process monument

       Established in 1972, Leadermac has gone through 50 years of testing, from the traditional woodworking machinery manufacturing to the largest professional manufacturer of four side planers in Taiwan and the second largest in the world. Chairman Michael Chang expressed its important turning point. In the successful decentralized market: Because the early market was too concentrated in the Asian and Southeast Asian markets, in order to enter the European and American markets,  LEADERMAC brand was established in 1994, and the CE certification was simultaneously applied for, and at the same time, the mechanical and electrical specifications that comply with the European regulations were set up to European specifications to enter new markets. In 1995, Leadermac participated in the LIGNA Hannover Woodworking Machinery Exhibition in Germany for the first time. (LIGNA is the world’s largest international woodworking machinery exhibition held every two years), and successively find European agents, such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland and other countries. This is an important turning point for Leadermac to enter the European and American markets. With local agents in Europe, Leadermac successfully explored the European market.

       In 2013, it started to move towards the goal of automation from a single machine to an automated .the year 2020, the automatic production equipment for the solid wood production line was released. It is an important process of the automation of Leadermac in recent years, and it is also an intelligent production. Set rules.

Inheritance and succession

       Michael returned to Taiwan from Canada in 1992 and joined Leadermac. He started from the grassroots level and experienced production, management and business departments. Until 1999, he served as the company's general manager and entered the company's core business. Michael is gratefully said: "The most important thing is to thank my father for his support, so that I can carry out drastically, both internally and externally, so that I have the power to change, Michael thanked his father for his support, allowing him to give full play to his strengths and contribute to the company.

       At that time, the company's product sales were 90% concentrated in China and Southeast Asia, but after experiencing the economic storm in Asia in 1997, the team realized the importance of diversifying risks, so it set the goal of diversifying the market to avoid putting eggs in the same basket

       Regarding entering the European and American markets, Michael said that this is a long-term journey. It is necessary to continuously participate in European and American international exhibitions step by step. The preparation process is like participating in the Olympic Games. Exhibit equipment not only meets the requirements of European regulations, but also respects and avoids patent protection. The expansion of the European and American markets adopts the strategy of Country surrounds the city, such as selling from small countries in Southern and Western Europe, and finally Enter the core group, such as Germany, France, Austria and other countries.

Challenges facing Taiwan in the post-epidemic era

       Refer to the impact of the new crown pneumonia COVID 19 on Taiwan’s woodworking machinery, Michael analyzed that because Taiwan’s control of the epidemic is better than other countries this time, the Sino-US trade war has surfaced at this time, and the semiconductor industry has stabilized its leading position. The popularity of Taiwan has jumped up. At this moment, the world is relatively repulsive of Chinese products, and many foreign orders have been transferred to Taiwan and other Asian countries. Take Leademac as an example. The biggest profit is the US market, plus tariff preferences, which is the best period in history

       However, internal obstacles, including rising source materials, exchange rate fluctuations, soaring freight rates, and the shortage of AI talents in Taiwan’s manufacturing industry, have caused various difficulties in the internal operations of Taiwan’s manufacturing industry and have also tested the wisdom of leaders.

About Future

       Regarding the future, Michael said that continuous positive thinking and continuous change are like the company's motto and vision: "The only constant in life is change, the pursuit of excellence and the goal of a happy company." To achieve a happy company, you must satisfied customers, because when the customer is satisfied, the company will have continuous orders, and gain profits for the R&D promotion of various departments of the company, especially in terms of AI and IOT overflow and employee benefits, so as to continue to promote the happy enterprise and the industry. 4.0 forward. However, compared with large foreign companies, Taiwan’s happy companies are not necessarily to be large. However, in the future, the weapon that determines the success or failure of the company is to invest in AI, otherwise the road ahead will be very hard. This is the way to go.

Photos by Leadermac

By NewsWin