Why the Spotting Press Market Needed a Rethink

At MEGATEL CNC, choosing the right partners is one of the most important decisions we make. Every manufacturer we represent is evaluated against clear, consistent criteria—engineering quality, proven performance, service support, and long-term reliability.


Our customers rely on more than machines alone; they rely on solutions that support their operations and capital investments over the long term. That same mindset led us to take a closer look at the spotting press market.


Identifying the Need in the Market


For many years, this segment has been dominated by a small number of suppliers. While capable, the lack of choice has often limited flexibility and innovation—while keeping investment costs high for tool and die manufacturers. We saw an opportunity to rethink that model by introducing a high-quality, cost-effective alternative that delivers strong engineering and dependable support, without compromising performance.


At the same time, the global manufacturing landscape has continued to evolve. In recent years, manufacturers in China have made significant investments in engineering capability, quality systems, and modern production processes. This has shifted parts of the industry away from a purely low-cost reputation toward a more quality-driven and performance-focused manufacturing base. For MEGATEL CNC, geography alone is never the deciding factor; performance, accountability, and long-term support are what matter most.




The Changing Role of the Spotting Press


The role of the spotting press has also changed as modern CNC equipment has become significantly more accurate and repeatable. Today, many molds and dies come off CNC machines much closer to final condition, reducing the amount of traditional spotting required. 


As a result, spotting presses are increasingly viewed as validation and verification tools rather than primary fitting equipment. Because they are typically considered value-added assets rather than direct revenue generators like CNC machines, manufacturers are understandably cautious when making large investments in this area. This shift places greater emphasis on presses that are reliable, precise, cost-effective, and easy to maintain—providing the necessary capability without tying up unnecessary capital.

Real People, Real Stories

A Manufacturing Decision, Told Honestly


For many manufacturers, a spotting press is a critical part of the process — but it’s also an investment that requires careful justification. Performance, reliability, support, and long-term value all have to align before moving forward.


That was the situation for Five Star Tool and Die Ltd., a manufacturing company based in Wallaceburg, Ontario. For over 60 years, they specializes in the manufacture and repair of magnesium and aluminum die cast and trim tooling. With complete in-house capabilities—from concept to completion—and the capacity to support large die cast tooling up to 4,500-ton DCM, their operation is built around precision, speed, and reliability. Five Star Tool and Die is ISO 9001:2015 certified and known for rapid repair turnaround, end-to-end service expertise, and a strong commitment to quality, on-time delivery, competitive pricing, and continuous improvement. (Learn more about their services at www.fivestartoolanddie.com)


To support their growing production requirements, Five Star Tool and Die recently installed a 400-tonne SXKH spotting press. The investment was driven by long-term performance, efficiency, and confidence in their equipment infrastructure.


Following installation, Megan McGee, Program Manager at Five Star Tool and Die Ltd., shared the following:


We invested in a spotting press to improve the efficiency and speed of our operations, while supporting higher-quality production as our customer demands continue to grow. Like many manufacturers, we initially had reservations about committing to a large capital investment. However, after moving forward, we couldn’t be happier with the addition this SXKH spotting press has made to our shop.


The machine meets our expectations, operates smoothly and consistently, and has significantly improved our tooling validation process—particularly by allowing us to spot and validate much larger tooling. The installation process was well supported, and our experience working with MEGATEL CNC gave us confidence throughout the project. Based on our experience, we would absolutely purchase from SXKH again in the future.”

For manufacturers like Five Star Tool and Die, capital equipment decisions are guided by long-term performance, process reliability, and dependable support—not brand recognition alone. Their experience reflects the same criteria Megatel applies when selecting partners.


A Partnership Built on Performance


Through structured technical validation, proven customer results, and a shared commitment to long-term customer success, SXKH demonstrated alignment with Megatel’s standards and with the practical demands of modern manufacturing environments.


At MEGATEL CNC, our role is to help manufacturers make informed, confident investment decisions. By combining disciplined partner selection, proven technology, and strong local support, we deliver solutions that align with real operational needs—today and over the long term.


👉 How has the role of the spotting press evolved in your operation over the past few years?
👉 Do you view it today as a validation tool, a fitting tool, or both?


Follow our page as we continue sharing real-world insights from the field on how manufacturers are rethinking equipment investments.