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Okuma America Corporation to Exhibit at IMTS 2024 with Comprehensive Lineup

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Newly Designed Machines, Next-Generation CNC Control, Multiple Automation Systems, Intelligent Technologies, World-Class Services, Sustainable Initiatives, & More to be Featured

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls, and automation systems, is excited to announce the company’s exhibition plans for the 2024 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from September 9 to 14, 2024.

Within its 17,000 square-foot booth, the company plans to showcase a comprehensive offering for the metalworking industry featuring newly designed CNC machine tools, a next-generation CNC control, a robust line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, a myriad of world-class services, and more. Okuma America Corporation will host a media event in the South Hall (Booth #338500) on Tuesday, September 10, at 2:00 pm. During this event, participants will have the opportunity to be part of an exclusive booth tour to learn more about the company’s IMTS offerings and hear insights from the Okuma leadership team.

New & Notable

NEW Okuma Booth Experience

At IMTS 2024, Okuma will debut a newly redesigned booth and customer experience, including the theme of ‘Open Possibilities’. This direction was chosen as the company strongly believes when end users partner with Okuma they are able to ‘Open Possibilities’ for not only their shop floor but also their employees and their communities at large.

As part of the enhanced customer experience, guests will have the opportunity to engage directly with the latest CNC machine tools and automation technologies. Additionally, they can explore various interactive experiences throughout the booth. Technical experts from Okuma, Okuma distributors, and Okuma’s Partners in Technology network will be onsite to provide consultation and expertise to visitors based on application needs.

Three New CNC Machine Debuts

Okuma will unveil three new CNC machine tools at IMTS 2024, all of which are first-time debuts in the Americas. All three machines will be presented with Okuma’s newly optimized sleek machine design and equipped with Okuma’s new OSP-P500 CNC control:

NEW – Okuma MA-4000H Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma LB2000 EX III-MYW Horizontal LatheNEW – Okuma LB4000 EX III-MYW Horizontal Lathe

Vintage Okuma Machine

On display within Okuma’s IMTS booth will be an early 1900s lathe that was manufactured at the global headquarters in Nagoya, Japan. This lathe is being showcased to highlight Okuma’s storied history of innovation which dates back to 1898.

NEW Next-generation CNC Machine Control

Twelve of the 14 Okuma machines on display will feature the all-new Okuma OSP-P500 CNC control, an advanced open architecture system designed exclusively for Okuma machines. This next-generation control system enables numerous market-leading intelligent machining technologies, which will be showcased at the event, including:

Greater processing power with dual-core computer processorsEmbedded, robust cyber-security features to protect operations and dataOn-board energy management green machining capabilitiesWindows®-based, open-architecture platform for easy integration to applications on the Okuma App Store and beyondFull-color touchscreen in two sizes: 15″ screen or 21.5″ screen, based on machine modelCombination of user-friendly hard and soft keys; QWERTY keyboardSpace-saving, modern design with ergonomic tilt and swivel capabilities; pulse handle options also available

The Okuma OSP suite of machine controls offers various technologies that support intelligent manufacturing processes. Several of these technologies will be on display at IMTS, including:

Okuma Connect Plan machine status and performance monitoring softwareCollision avoidance systemsEnergy management capabilities with on-board Thermo-Friendly Concept & ECO suite plus functionality

Automation

Okuma will present a comprehensive lineup of automation systems developed by the Okuma Factory Automation (OFA) Division, along with best-in-class solutions from its industry partners, all of which seamlessly integrate with Okuma machines. The company is pleased to announce that 11 of its 14 IMTS 2024 CNC machine tools will be paired with automation systems, including three solutions making their debut in the Americas:

NEW – Okuma SmarTwinCELL – an entire manufacturing cell managed by Okuma technologiesNEW – Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) – a mobile robot designed to shuttle workpieces between processing stationsNEW – Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) – an easy-to-integrate robot designed to load and unload workpieces from machines

NEW Global Services & Repair Facility to Support Customer for Life Mission

Okuma is excited to announce plans to open a new global service and repair facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2025 to support Okuma users worldwide. This investment aligns with the company’s mission of ‘Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life’. Further details about the new facility will be shared at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Machines in Partner Booths

Okuma machine tools will also be present in others’ IMTS 2024 booths. Several of our distinguished members of Partners in Technology will have the following machines on working display:

Blum-Novotest, Booth #134710 – Okuma GENOS M460V-5AX with new Okuma OSP-P500 controlRenishaw, Booth #134314 – Okuma LB3000 EX III with new Okuma OSP-P500 controlOak Ridge National Laboratory, Booth #236700 – Okuma MU-4000V with automation and additive demonstration

Comprehensive Lineup

Okuma will showcase 14 CNC machine tools at the show, representing a wide range of the company’s core product lines. Among these, three are new products. Additionally, nine unique automation systems will be on display, including three proprietary innovations from Okuma Factory Automation. The next-generation OSP-P500 control system will be featured on 12 of the 14 CNC machines in the booth, as well as on free-standing interactive simulators. Okuma will also highlight key components of its world-class service and support program.

Okuma’s complete IMTS 2024 machine, control, and automation lineup includes:

Okuma Machining Centers

 CNC Machine Control

 Paired Automation System

MA-4000H – NEW

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Okuma Automatic Pallet Changer (APC)

MA-600HIII

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Automatic Pallet Changer (APC)

MU-6300V-L

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Okuma Tower Automatic Pallet Changer

MB-46VE II

 NEW – OSP-P500

 FANUC Cobot

GENOS M560-V (covers removed)

GENOS M560V-5AX (5-axis)

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Okuma Robot Loader & Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

MU-4000V (5-axis)

 NEW – OSP-P500

 EROWA ERC80 Robot

Lathes

CNC Machine Control

 Paired Automation System

LB2000 EX III-MYW NEW

 NEW – OSP-P500

LB3000 EX III-MYW

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Okuma SmarTwinCELL

LB4000 EX III-MYW NEW

 NEW – OSP-P500

LU3000 EX

 NEW – OSP-P500

 Okuma Gantry Loader (OGL)

Multitasking Lathes

 CNC Machine Control

 Paired Automation System

MULTUS B300II

NEW – OSP-P500

Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) & Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)

MULTUS U3000

NEW – OSP-P500

Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) & Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

Grinder

 CNC Machine Control

 Paired Automation System

GA26W

OSP-P300

Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR)

Other Highlights

Sustainability Initiatives

At Okuma, we’re working together to build a better machine tool and a better future. All Okuma CNC machines are equipped with Okuma’s “Green Smart Machine” technology, a series of combined technologies that harmonize high-performance machining with intelligent energy management controls. Specifically, these technologies include Okuma’s proprietary ECO suite plus and Thermo-Friendly Concept, both of which will be displayed at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Best-in-Class Distributor Network

In support of Okuma’s mission of ‘Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life’, Okuma has created strategic relationships with 10 best-in-class distributorships to support customer needs within their local regions of operation. Representatives from each of Okuma’s distributors within the Americas will be onsite at IMTS 2024.

Okuma Partners in Technology

Okuma’s Partners in Technology network brings together 45+ companies that represent best-in-class manufacturing solutions and technologies that pair perfectly with Okuma CNC machine tools. We’re pleased to introduce the newest member of the network, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, at IMTS 2024.

For more information on Okuma’s IMTS offering, visit www.okuma.com/imts.

About Okuma America Corporation

Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content at that time. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/okuma-america-corporation-to-exhibit-at-imts-2024-with-comprehensive-lineup-302187292.html

SOURCE Okuma America Corporation

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Sapient Insights Group Reveals the HR Technology Solutions Ranking Highest in Vendor Satisfaction and User Experience for 2026

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Voice of the Customer badges awarded across 23 HR technology categories, based on 10,000 responses to Sapient’s 2026-2027 Annual HR Systems Survey

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Sapient Insights Group today revealed the HR technology solutions ranking highest in vendor satisfaction and user experience in its 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey, now in its 29th year. This year Sapient awarded 630 Voice of the Customer badges across 23 technology categories and three company sizes. The rankings are based on responses from HR professionals representing 6,038 organizations.

Stacey Harris, Chief Research Officer and Managing Partner at Sapient Insights Group, presents the HR technology solutions ranking highest in vendor satisfaction and user experience for 2026.

To help buyers find the providers that fit their organization, the rankings are split into three company sizes: small, mid-sized, and enterprise. Respondents rate their satisfaction with their current solution in each technology category on a scale of 1 to 5, with attention to support and service. Sapient also ranks solutions on user experience. The top five solutions in each category and size earn a badge for vendor satisfaction and a badge for user experience. Three categories with smaller sample sizes (Time Labor Budgeting, Contingent Workforce Management, and Skills Management) are ranked in aggregate across all company sizes.

The survey continues to grow with the HR technology market. New this year, the survey adds Compliance Management to the HR Blueprint, application-level outcome questions, payment models for applications and AI, and finance applications covering Core, Expense, and Planning. It also asks more “why” questions throughout, so the results show not just what organizations are doing but the reasons behind their choices.

“Our Voice of the Customer rankings come straight from HR practitioners, with no sponsorship involved, which is why buyers and vendors both pay attention to them,” said Stacey Harris, chief research officer and managing partner at Sapient Insights Group. “This year we expanded the rankings to cover more of the HR technology landscape, which gives buyers a clearer view of how solutions perform for the specific work they need done, not just at the suite level. It also gives vendors honest feedback from the people who use their products every day.”

The highest-ranking solutions for vendor satisfaction are listed below. Rankings include point solutions, modules within technology suites, and in some cases service providers.

Payroll
Dayforce – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

HR Management
Dayforce – Enterprise
HiBob – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Benefits
Businessolver – Enterprise
Fidelity NetBenefits/PSW – Mid-sized
HiBob – Small

HR Service Delivery: Portal
Dovetail – Enterprise
Workday Help – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Content Management
Dovetail – Enterprise
DocuSign – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Employee Help Desk
Dovetail – Enterprise
ServiceNow – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

HR Service Delivery: Engagement Survey
Dovetail – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Time and Attendance
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Absence Management
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Leave Management
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Workforce Scheduling
Darwinbox – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Labor Budgeting
isolved – All sizes

Learning
Cornerstone – Enterprise
OpenSesame – Mid-sized
isolved – Small

Recruiting
Indeed – Enterprise
Greenhouse – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Onboarding
Dayforce – Enterprise
isolved (ApplicantPro) – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Performance
Dayforce – Enterprise
HiBob – Mid-sized
BambooHR – Small

Compensation
Dayforce – Enterprise
Payscale Payfactors – Mid-sized
Insperity – Small

Succession
Dayforce – Enterprise
Microsoft Glint – Mid-sized
Paylocity – Small

Rewards and Recognition
Awardco – Enterprise
isolved – Mid-sized
Gifted – Small

Analytics
Visier – Enterprise
Visier – Mid-sized
UKG People Analytics – Small

AI/ML
Visier Vee – Enterprise
Grammarly – Mid-sized
Anthropic Claude – Small

Contingent Workforce Management
ServiceNow – All sizes

Skills Management HiBob – All sizes

The complete Voice of the Customer results, including the top five solutions for vendor satisfaction and user experience in every category and company size, are available here (https://sapientinsights.com/top-vendors/).

Sapient Insights Group will publish detailed survey findings and analysis in its annual HR Systems Research Report on November 6, 2026. The report will be available to purchase here (https://sapientinsights.com/shop/).

About the 2026-2027 HR Systems Survey

Now in its 29th year, Sapient’s HR Systems Survey is the longest-running, most comprehensive survey of the HR technology landscape, and the only fully objective, non-sponsored study of its kind. This year, HR professionals representing 6,038 organizations around the globe took part. The survey now covers 23 technology categories. The annual report includes an in-depth look at each category, along with current and future adoption rates, customer retention, replacement plans, and projected vendor growth.

For more information about the survey and report, schedule a call (https://calendly.com/summerorellano/schedule-a-call-with-sapient-insights-group).

About Sapient Insights Group Sapient Insights Group is a certified women-owned, privately-owned consulting, research, and advisory firm. The company works with organizations in the areas of HR and finance technology; HR strategy and transformation; leadership and culture; change management; talent management; mergers and acquisitions; and project management. The company’s HR Systems Survey is the HR profession’s most trusted source for objective data on the HR technology market and insights to guide buyer investments and vendor product development and marketing. For more information, visit www.sapientinsights.com.

Media Contact

Allison Williams, Sapient Insights Group, 1 4043044748, Info@sapientinsights.com, https://sapientinsights.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/sapient-insights-group-reveals-the-hr-technology-solutions-ranking-highest-in-vendor-satisfaction-and-user-experience-for-2026-302915884.html

SOURCE Sapient Insights Group

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SAJ Debuts First CEC-Approved Systems under Australia’s New Battery Standard at All Energy 2026

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EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5 on show at Stand M143, with Australia’s Strongest Man at Stand E01 and the SAJ range across three distributor stands

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SAJ will exhibit at All Energy Australia 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on 28–29 October. At Stand M143, installers can get their first hands-on look at the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5, the first products approved under Australia’s new SA TS 5398 standard.

At 2pm on Wednesday 28 October, DEKRA and CCS will present SAJ with the CEC certificates for the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5 on the stand, making SAJ the first brand listed under SA TS 5398. SAJ and DEKRA will also sign a strategic cooperation agreement covering safety, quality and compliance.

On the stand

EK70 HS5 – the all-in-one home energy system, combining hybrid inverter, LFP battery and whole-home backup in one unit. Modular 6, 7 and 9 kWh battery blocks stack to suit the household.EK90 HS5 – the premium tier, with 12,000-cycle cells, nine-layer safety protection, edge AI and a 15-year warranty.B2S and H2 – modular storage and the latest from SAJ’s residential range.elekeeper 5.0 – SAJ’s energy management app, with AI-assisted design, five-minute app commissioning and remote diagnosis.C&I – SAJ’s latest commercial and industrial solutions.

Live demonstrations of the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5, elekeeper 5.0 and the C&I range run at 10am on both days and again at 3pm on Wednesday.

Visitors can also play the claw machine on the stand throughout both days to win tennis balls signed by SAJ brand ambassador Alex de Minaur.

Beat Australia’s Strongest Man of 2026 at Stand E01

At Stand E01, near the hall entrance, visitors can take on Bradman Houston, Australia’s Strongest Man 2026, on the high striker. Bradman will be there each day. Anyone who beats his score wins!

Bradman recently partnered with SAJ and Sydney Solar & Electrical on a video series about lifting technique and fitness for solar installers, now on SAJ’s Instagram.

SAJ across the floor

The SAJ range is also on show with the company’s three national distribution partners, for stock, pricing and account conversations:

One Stop Warehouse – Stand EE113, with the EK90 HS5 on displaySupply Partners – Stand L135Tradezone – Stand S113

“All Energy is where the industry sees what’s next, and for SAJ that’s the EK70 HS5 and EK90 HS5,” said Alan Li, the Sales Director of SAJ Electric Australia. “Installers told us they want one integrated system that’s faster to install and that they can stand behind. Being the first brand listed under SA TS 5398 is the proof. We’d love installers to see both systems up close at Stand M143, and to try their luck against Bradman at E01 while they’re there.”

Visit SAJ

Where: Stand M143 (Beat the Strongest Man at Stand E01), Melbourne Convention and Exhibition CentreWhen: Wednesday 28 – Thursday 29 October 2026More information: au.saj-electric.com

About SAJ

Founded in Guangzhou in 2005, SAJ (Guangzhou Sanjing Electric Co., Ltd.) is a specialist in smart energy storage, delivering integrated solutions across solar generation, battery storage, energy management and EV charging for residential and commercial customers. SAJ has operated in Australia since 2013 and works with three national distribution partners – One Stop Warehouse, Supply Partners and Tradezone – backed by local technical support and warranty infrastructure.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/saj-debuts-first-cec-approved-systems-under-australias-new-battery-standard-at-all-energy-2026-302915502.html

SOURCE SAJ

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Starvia Automotive Expands Used-Car Exports to Afghanistan and Iran

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GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Starvia Automotive has added Afghanistan and Iran to the destinations covered by its used-car export business, the company said on Oct. 21, as it focuses on used vehicles built to Chinese-market specifications. Buyers in both markets can now request an assessment of a specific vehicle before an order is confirmed.

What the review covers

For a used vehicle, the model name alone does not determine whether an export order can proceed. Year of manufacture, vehicle identity, condition, ownership documents and destination import rules are reviewed for each request, together with carrier acceptance, transit requirements and payment restrictions, according to the company.

Starvia cited two listings in its online used-car catalog as examples of the process: a 2023 Volkswagen Polo and a 2021 Volkswagen Tharu. The company said the listings show published stock and do not confirm that either unit is available or eligible for import into both markets. Stock, vehicle records and destination suitability are confirmed before a model is presented as an order option.

How an inquiry is handled

Inquiries are submitted through the company’s online form, which asks for destination city, importer details, preferred vehicle, quantity and purchasing timeframe. Starvia said the information is used to identify suitable vehicles, check documentation and seek a transport option, and that alternatives can be discussed if the first model does not meet the requirements.

An Arabic-language version of the site is available at https://www.starviaauto.com/ar?utm_source=prnews for buyers who prefer Arabic.

Any vehicle offer, freight estimate or shipment timing remains subject to commercial, regulatory and logistics checks, the company said. Buyers should obtain destination-side import approval before committing to a purchase.

About Starvia Automotive

Starvia Automotive is a Guangzhou-based exporter of new and used vehicles. Its online catalog lists used cars with vehicle history and inspection information for buyers in multiple regions.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starvia-automotive-expands-used-car-exports-to-afghanistan-and-iran-302915298.html

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