Author: NMTA

This week, we are proud to recognize Rob Swiss for five years with NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA and his contributions to our Sales team.

Over the past several years, Rob has worked closely with customers across the industry, helping them find the right solutions while strengthening long-term partnerships. We caught up with him to talk about his experience so far and what he has learned along the way.

1. Thinking back to your first year in sales here, what is the biggest shift in how you approach a new lead or customer today?

Early on, a big focus was ensuring that customers understood the name change from Mitsubishi to NIDEC. During that time, I not only enjoyed getting to know customers who were new to me, but existing NIDEC customers as well. It was great to hear firsthand how much they liked our products.

2. Is there a specific customer success story that stands out to you?

Circle Gear stands out, especially their move into CNC gear hobbing and then into CNC hobbing with automation. Another example is John Deere, where we introduced onboard machine chamfering.

3. How have your relationships with your long-term clients changed over the last five years?

The relationships have continued to grow stronger, largely because of the reliability of our machines. When customers know they can count on the equipment, that trust builds naturally over time.

4. When you are sitting down with a new customer, what is one thing about the NIDEC lineup that you are always most proud to talk about?

I usually talk about how quickly NIDEC can respond when it comes to selling and installing a stock machine. In some cases, we can have a customer up and running in as little as two weeks.

5. Five years in, what is the most important piece of advice you would give to someone joining our sales team today?

Use existing customers as a reference. It is one of the best ways to show how well our products perform and how reliable they are.

Five years is a meaningful milestone, and Rob’s steady approach and focus on building trust continue to make a difference for both our customers and our team.

Congratulations, Rob, on five years with NMTA! We appreciate the perspective, consistency, and relationships you have built along the way, and we look forward to what is ahead.

Reaching 10 years with one company is a meaningful milestone, especially in an industry where expertise is earned through time, repetition, and problem-solving. This week, we are proud to recognize Ian Gargano, Parts and Service Sales Manager at NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA (NMTA), for a decade of dedication to our customers and our team.

We sat down with Ian to reflect on the past 10 years, what has changed at NMTA, and what continues to motivate him every day.

1. Thinking back to when you first walked through the doors ten years ago, what’s the biggest “then vs. now” change you’ve noticed?

Ten years ago, I walked into a very traditional corporate environment under the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries banner. Today, as NIDEC MACHINE TOOL AMERICA, the energy is more streamlined, agile, and forward-thinking. Personally, the biggest change is my perspective: “Then,” I saw complex boxes of steel I didn’t understand; “now,” I see the precision engineering and the vital role our machines play in the global supply chain.

2. If you could go back to your first week on the job, what’s the one thing you know now about our machine lineup that you wish you knew back then?

I wish I’d known that our machines, especially the gear hobbers and grinders, are essentially the “DNA” of the manufacturing world. In my first week, I was intimidated by the complexity. If I could go back, I’d tell myself: Don’t just look at the buttons; look at the precision of the parts coming out. Understanding the end-use makes the technology much more fascinating.

3. How has your role evolved over the years? Were there any pivotal moments that have shaped your career at NMTA?

I started with zero CNC knowledge, essentially learning the language of the industry from scratch. My role has evolved from being a student of the craft to a consultant who can anticipate customer needs. The transition from Mitsubishi to Nidec was a pivotal moment; it was a “sink or swim” era for many of us, and choosing to embrace the new Nidec philosophy really solidified my career here.

4. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was the technical learning curve. There were days early on when I felt like I was reading a book in a different language. I overcame it by never being too proud to ask the veterans on the floor questions. I learned that in this industry, curiosity is your most important tool.

5. If you could give advice to yourself on your first day, what would it be?

Be patient with yourself. You aren’t going to master a gear shaver or a large-part milling machine in a week. Trust the process, take tons of notes, and don’t just memorize part numbers. Learn the why behind the machine. The faster you understand how these components work together, the better you can advocate for the customer.

6. What sets NMTA apart from other places you’ve worked?

It’s the unique blend of Japanese precision and American grit. We have the backing of a global powerhouse like Nidec, but our local team feels like a tight-knit family.

7. Are there any company traditions, events, or moments that stand out to you?

The rebranding day when we officially became Nidec stands out. There was a mix of nostalgia for the Mitsubishi era and a genuine electricity about what the Nidec Green would bring to our future. It felt like the start of a new chapter for all of us.

8. How has teamwork and collaboration played a role in your success?

In the world of machine tools, there is no solo win. If engineering isn’t talking to sales, or service isn’t talking to parts, the customer feels it. My success is 100% tied to the fact that I can walk across the hall and get an answer from a colleague with 30 years of experience.

9. How do you approach building strong relationships with customers?

I approach it with radical honesty. Customers in this industry can smell sales speak a mile away. I build relationships by admitting what I don’t know, finding the answer quickly, and treating their machine downtime as if it were my own.

10. Can you share a memorable story of a time you went above and beyond for a customer?

I remember a situation where a customer’s production line was halted, and the lead time for a replacement part was weeks out. I knew they couldn’t wait. We coordinated with our team to pull a critical component off one of our floor machines so the customer could be back up and running the next morning. Seeing them go from panic mode to production mode because of our quick thinking is why I love this job.

11. What accomplishment are you most proud of during your time at NMTA?

I am most proud of my transition from being a “parts taker” to a technical consultant. I’ve made it my mission to educate our clients on the importance of OEM parts and factory-trained service. Helping a customer move away from quick fixes to embracing the Nidec standard, and seeing their machine longevity increase as a result, is incredibly fulfilling.

12. What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

It’s the tangibility. In a digital world, we work with things you can touch. Seeing a massive piece of equipment installed, running, and creating perfect parts is a satisfying feeling that never gets old. Knowing I played a part in keeping that machine running is a great feeling.

13. What do you see for the future of your department and the company?

I see us becoming even more integrated with automation and Industry 4.0. Under the Nidec umbrella, our capability to provide turnkey solutions is only growing. For the Spare Parts department, I see us becoming more agile and data-driven while keeping that core human touch that our customers rely on.

Congratulations, Ian, on 10 years with NMTA, and thank you for the expertise, care, and consistency you bring to customers every day!