50 Years of Thaisakol Group: From Cutting Specialist to Manufacturing Transformation

Exclusive Interview with Mr. Panithan Kobkulsuwan, Director, Thaisakol Group, on the 50th Anniversary (1975–2025)

50-Year Journey — From Family Business to a Trusted Industrial Partner

From Woodworking Tools to Multi-Industry Solutions

Thaisakol Group was founded in 1975 by Mr. Prawit Kobkulsuwan, who introduced high-quality Japanese cutting tools—such as circular saw blades and precision knives—to Thailand’s woodworking industry. The “Thaisakol” name quickly gained recognition for professionalism and customer-focused service.

Over the past five decades, the company has evolved from a partnership into Thaisakol Group Co., Ltd., expanding into metalworking, pulp & paper, plastics, acrylics, electronics, and high-precision tooling.

A Turning Point Toward Modern Management

According to Director Panithan, a major transformation occurred around the company’s 25th year, when the new generation redesigned the organizational structure, introduced IT and ERP systems, and expanded the business from consumables into full-scale machinery solutions.

This shift enabled Thaisakol to diversify into new markets and become a strategic partner for manufacturers in Thailand and abroad.

The Core of 50 Years of Success

Mr. Panithan highlights two key pillars:

1. Long-term customer relationships — “We recommend what’s best, not what’s cheapest.”
2. Employees as the company’s true strength — Thaisakol has never laid off staff nor reduced salaries, even during crises from the Tom Yum Kung era to COVID-19.

From Cutting Specialist to Manufacturing Transformation

Why Move from Subtractive to Additive Manufacturing (AM)?

Thaisakol has been active in Additive Manufacturing for over five years, offering brands such as Desktop Metal, BigRep, and DLyte.

While Thailand’s AM industry is still developing, demand continues to grow among R&D centers and universities—key customer groups the company actively supports.

“The AM market in Thailand is small, but when the ecosystem is ready, it will grow quickly. Our role now is to build knowledge and provide printing services so customers can start without upfront investment.”

THINK Center — Accelerating Technology Understanding

THINK stands for Think – Innovation – Knowledge.

The THINK Center serves as a demonstration and experimentation hub where manufacturers can “see and try” AM and modern manufacturing technology. It also provides printing services to help customers validate applications before investing.

Technologies for the Future — Laser, Everising, and Green Solutions

Laser Cutting for Ultra-Hard Materials

In 2024, Thaisakol Group introduced its new high-precision laser cutting machine designed specifically for PCD, PCBN, and ceramic materials—responding to the rising demand for ultra-hard materials in the cutting tool industry. This technology marks another key milestone for the company in enabling Thai manufacturers to access advanced production capabilities.

Key advantages of the technology include:

• Higher cutting speed compared with conventional methods
• Lower overall production costs, eliminating the need for consumable wire-cut materials and significantly reducing waste
• Reliable performance with ultra-hard materials, a segment experiencing growing demand in cutting tool applications

The launch of this solution underscores Thaisakol Group’s commitment to driving advanced manufacturing technologies and enhancing the efficiency and quality of Thai production lines—ensuring long-term competitiveness in the global market.

EVERISING — A Cornerstone of Metal Cutting in the Modern Manufacturing Era

For decades, EVERISING has been one of the core product lines that built the foundation of Thaisakol Group’s business. The brand continues to maintain a dominant presence in the metal-cutting market, holding more than 40% share across sectors such as metalworking, parts manufacturing, steel mills, and tube mills. This leadership reflects the industry’s confidence in the brand’s quality, stability, and the after-sales service that Thaisakol Group has consistently prioritized.

From the management’s perspective, EVERISING’s role is becoming even more critical as Thailand’s industrial landscape shifts toward EV manufacturing, high-grade steel processing, and increasingly precise component production. High-performance, high-accuracy sawing machines are now the essential starting point for every metal production line.

Mr. Panithan explains:

 “Metal cutting is the beginning of every manufacturing process. When the cut is fast, accurate, and cost-effective, customers can reduce waste, shorten cycle time, minimize blade-sharpening needs, and improve overall line efficiency. This is why EVERISING remains our core brand, even as we expand into new technologies.”

Beyond machines, Kanefusa saw blades continue to command over 50% market share across wood, metal, and plastic cutting applications—reinforcing Thaisakol’s long-established position as a true “cutting specialist.”

Management sees the strength of the EVERISING + Kanefusa portfolio as the foundation that enables the company to confidently expand into advanced technologies such as Laser Cutting and Additive Manufacturing. This foundation is built on more than 50 years of trust in Thaisakol’s unwavering standards.

Green Technology — DLyte Electropolishing

The DLyte Electropolishing System delivers high-precision surface finishing through an environmentally friendly process that reduces the use of hazardous chemicals and minimizes risks for operators. It is well-suited for a wide range of industries, including:

• Medical
• Jewelry
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• General precision components requiring consistent, high-quality surface finishing

Mr. Panithan explains the company’s guiding principle in selecting new technologies:

“Every machine we introduce is the best available at that moment—carefully chosen to help manufacturers truly improve their processes. This includes reducing machine counts from four units to just one, minimizing floor space, lowering maintenance burdens, and decreasing environmental impact across the production line.”

Laying the Foundation for Sustainable Growth and Next-Generation Leadership

Balancing Machinery and Cutting Tools — A Dual-Pillar Strategy for All Economic Cycles

Mr. Panithan explains that the machinery market evolves rapidly as new technologies emerge—such as tube-processing machines that no longer require saw blades—while other sectors continue to rely heavily on cutting tools, even during economic slowdowns.

For this reason, Thaisakol has consistently maintained its “two core pillars” — Machinery and Cutting Tools — adjusting the balance between them in response to market conditions. This strategy ensures the company remains resilient and capable of growing through every economic cycle.

“We see this balance as a long-term strategy. It keeps the company stable, reduces exposure to economic volatility, and allows us to fully support every stage of our customers’ production lines.”

Next-Generation Talent — Driving the Company Into Its Future

The management emphasizes that younger talent plays a critical role in shaping the company’s next chapter, bringing system-level thinking, fresh business perspectives, and the ability to integrate digital technologies to enhance efficiency.

At the same time, Thaisakol places strong importance on passing down the company’s core DNA: integrity, long-term customer relationships, and uncompromising service quality — values that have sustained the company for half a century.

EV and Smart Factory Era — Supporting Customers Through Their Manufacturing Transformation

Thaisakol views the shift toward EV mobility and smart factories not merely as an expansion of product lines, but as a transformation of the company’s role — from a Cutting Solutions specialist to a partner enabling customers’ broader manufacturing upgrades.

According to Mr. Panithan, future technologies will increasingly integrate machines, cutting tools, digital systems, and data. Thaisakol therefore seeks solutions that are “right for the moment,” enabling Thai manufacturers to modernize efficiently and sustainably while preserving the company’s strength in cutting solutions and adding technologies aligned with modern industrial demands.

“We are not changing who we are. We are expanding our role — from Cutting Specialist to a partner in our customers’ Manufacturing Transformation.”

50 Years of Meaning — and the Road Ahead

For Mr. Panithan, the 50th anniversary symbolizes pride in contributing to Thailand’s industrial development—being part of the machines, components, and products that surround people every day.

Ahead of the 18 November celebration, the company aims to convey:

“50 years of Thaisakol is not about age, but about experience, trust, and collaboration built with customers, suppliers, and our team.”

Looking 10 years ahead, the company’s message remains simple and unwavering:

“No matter how technology changes, we will continue delivering the same promise—quality, honesty, and standing alongside Thai manufacturers.”