Cutting edge manufacturing on the world stage

ANCA took an early view to look beyond Australia’s shores whilst developing advanced manufacturing technologies

 When Pat Boland and Pat McCluskey first started Melbourne-based company ANCA in 1974, the fax machine was beginning to revolutionise communication and prompting a step change in how businesses viewed global expansion opportunities. Now ANCA are using their own servo technology to design and build a machine capable of manufacturing at a resolution of nanometre at their Australian headquarters. 

Unlike many of their manufacturing peers, the co-founders decided at the outset the future of their company lay in exporting to the world. Fifty years later, ANCA is a globally recognised advanced manufacturer of precision tool and cutter-grinding machines, motion controls and sheet metal manufacturing equipment and software. 

“We started with the view of delivering a highly sought-after product with a point of difference and realised early on the importance of being globally local – a good local support structure and sales team have been key to our success,” Boland explains.

ANCA now exports to over 50 countries, with the biggest markets in Europe, Asia, China and USA. ANCA’s longstanding global interaction has also resulted in a significant contribution to the local economy and those in our region. 

With over 1200 staff globally and an annual turnover of $300 million, they also have a rich history of world firsts including the first to introduce a modem for the support and diagnosis in a computer numeric control tool and cutter grinder. 

Boland and McCluskey have shown that an Australian company can compete and innovate on a global scale with dozens of patent applications globally in the fields of mechanical and electrical engineering and software. 

In 2022, Boland and McCluskey were inducted into the Honour Roll of the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame for their service to the industry.