Sandvik Coromant helps PT Kubota cut costs and emissions

Thanks to a combination of advanced tooling technology, expert collaboration and a deep commitment to customer value, metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant has enabled PT. Kubota Indonesia to achieve new heights in sustainable manufacturing. The results demonstrate improved efficiency, reduced costs and a substantial shift towards the company’s long-term environmental goals.

1. Kubota Indonesia is a pioneer in high-quality diesel engine manufacturing and is essential in supporting Indonesia’s national agricultural sector. Located in Semarang, Central Java, around 443 kilometres from Sandvik Coromant’s Indonesian office in Jakarta, PT. Kubota presented a unique opportunity for remote collaboration. Although the geographical distance and absence of a local representative initially limited the frequency of in-person visits, Sandvik Coromant embraced the challenge and successfully built a productive partnership, demonstrating its commitment and ability to deliver impactful solutions across distances.

Overcoming distance and delivering value

There were two core challenges: to establish credibility from a distance and to demonstrate that Sandvik Coromant’s tooling solutions could directly address PT. Kubota’s performance and cost-reduction targets. Specifically, PT. Kubota required a solution that could reduce cycle time, lower cost per part (CPP) and minimise machine requirements from three to two for finishing processes.

To meet these demands, Sandvik Coromant deployed a full range of resources, including a selection of advanced tools such as CoroCut® 2, CoroTurn® TR and CoroThread® 266, concept tools like CoroTurn® Prime. The solution also included the latest insert grades and MasterCAM 2025 for programming support and expert insight from Sandvik Coromant’s Yellow Coat specialists.

In total, Sandvik Coromant replaced 15 competitor tools, with the results demonstrating that each new solution significantly outperformed the existing setup. This comprehensive approach enabled Sandvik Coromant to improve chip control, enhancing process safety and eliminating the need for one entire finishing machine. This not only reduced operational costs but also lowered the plant’s overall CO₂ footprint, contributing to its sustainability targets.

Customer satisfaction and deeper collaboration

“Working closely with PT. Kubota has been a highly collaborative experience and, despite the distance, we’ve delivered solutions that exceed their expectations,” said Manny Valenza Sales Cluster manager South East Asia Oceania. “PT. Kubota expressed strong satisfaction with the results, noting the clear performance benefits and operational savings. This trust has opened the door to explore tooling upgrades across additional components and processes, including milling, drilling and other solid round tool (SRT) applications.

“In addition, the success of this project has resulted in us securing a turnkey contract to equip two new Okuma machines with Capto systems, a significant production line renewal initiative for the coming year. The implementation will also include a subscription to CoroPlus ToolPath software, reinforcing Kubota’s digital manufacturing capabilities,” continued Valenza.

“Sandvik Coromant has been able to address our challenges in improving process efficiency and reducing machine downtime,” said Mr. Panut Pujiono, Production Engineering Department at PT Kubota. “Their tooling solutions have also helped us cut costs by up to 18% compared to our previous tools. In addition, the new PrimeTurning™ insert produces clean, well-broken chips — unlike the curled chips we dealt with before, which posed a safety risk when removed from the chip conveyor.”

“What sets us apart in this engagement is our ability to offer integrated, process-wide improvements, not just isolated tool changes,” added Valenza. “Unlike competitors that focus narrowly on single solutions, we have delivered coordinated, strategic enhancements that support both performance and sustainability.”