1983~2008
Being the
1st reseller from the very beginning, Compumachine congratulates MasterCAM's
25th
anniversary!
CNC Software Press Release TOLLAND, CT, June
25, 2008
CNC Software, Inc. is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2008. Two brothers,
Mark and Jack Summers incorporated the company in 1983 with a new programming
concept for CNC (Computer-Numerical-Control) machine tools. They developed a
PC-based CAD/CAM (Computer-Aided-Design/Computer-Aided-Manufacturing) software
package with an emphasis on the CAM side. During that time, most of the programs
were more CAD-oriented and expensive.
“Ours was developed with the machinist and the design
engineer in mind,” says Mark Summers, President. “I was a
machinist, and I will always be a machinist at heart. It’s a direct
approach – design the parts and generate the toolpaths to machine
them.”
They called the software program “Meghan”,
named after Mark Summer’s eldest daughter, and then changed it
within the first year to “Mastercam” as a clearer descriptive
of the software’s primary function. A third brother, Brian Summers,
soon joined the company and now serves as Vice President. Jamie Summers,
Mark’s wife, is Chief Financial Officer.
The company’s first customer was Connecticut Tool
in Putnam, Connecticut. “We are honored to have been the first
shop to use Mastercam and continue to value the relationship with CNC
Software today,” says Steve Durand, President. “CNC Software
has consistently provided a superior product in Mastercam with excellent
service. Mastercam has allowed us to stay on the cutting edge of CAM
technology. We look forward to continuing our loyal relationship with
the company for many years to come. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary.”
Today, Mastercam is arguably the most recognized and best
selling brand of CAD/CAM software in the world and has the highest number
of seats installed – 135,824 at the end of 2007. The company continually
uses its success to reinvest in itself with new Mastercam generations,
(the latest is Mastercam X2) improved features and ease of use, its infrastructure
of more than 400 dealers worldwide, its world-class “green” facility,
and its intellectual property from the best minds in software development.
Last year, 2007, the company reported record sales of $29.4 million.
Shortly after CNC Software started in Massachusetts, the
company moved its base of operations to an office in Vernon, Connecticut.
After a brief move to an industrial park, CNC Software built corporate
headquarters in Tolland, Connecticut. When it outgrew that space, the
Summers established the company’s corporate headquarters and training
facility in a new, 38,000 sq. ft. building in the same town. The building
was thoughtfully designed and built for aesthetics, functionality, and
environmental friendliness. In 2007, ground broke for a 12,000 sq. ft.
addition to house a fully functioning machine shop with advanced equipment
for Mastercam product research and development.
“I’ve had a passion for doing whatever I can
to minimize environmental impact for as long as I can remember,” says
Mark Summers. “We review everything, from the kinds of organic
fertilizers we apply to our grounds to the kinds of recycled paper we
use to our geothermal heating system. Virtually everything here has been
chosen consciously with the environment in mind.”
The first version of Mastercam was a two-dimensional CAM
program. Now, Mastercam offers solutions for designers and programmers
involved in multi-axis milling, turning, wire EDM (Electrical-Discharge-Machining),
wood router programming, plasma and laser cutting, and three-dimensional
design and drafting. CNC Software’s customers range from one-person
job shops to Fortune 100 manufacturers. Mastercam is also ubiquitous
in high schools, vocational/technical schools, colleges, and universities.
The company’s educational division operates out of Gig Harbor,
Washington.
“Certainly one of our biggest reasons for our success
is our exemplary and loyal global dealer network – all of those
congenial experts who sell and support Mastercam,” says Mark Summers. “Some
of these people, really friends now, have been with us since the very
beginning. They have helped shops grow and enjoy a true collaboration
with our customers, offering advice, training, and applications experience
to Mastercam users around the world.”
One of those dealers is Compumachine, Inc.
located in Danvers, Massachusetts. David Shaby, President and CEO,
was CNC
Software’s first reseller to sign on. “Mark and Jack Summers
had the vision to improve upon that early Meghan system and it just
grew into the Mastercam we know and respect from there. I recently
attended CNC Software’s annual reseller conference and sat next
to Mark and Jamie Summers. They are the same down-to-earth, sweet people
I met in their Dad’s kitchen over pancakes 25 years ago. We are
still proudly their dealer in Massachusetts. It has been my honor and
privilege to be associated with the remarkable Summers family, and
I extend my best wishes to the continued growth of Mastercam in the
future.” |