E-Sharp News March 2026

 

Gorilla Mill, a trusted name in the cutting tool industry, is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. Known for producing high-quality tools like end mills, thread mills, and drills, the company has built its reputation on innovation and excellence. For owner Nathan Cranker, reaching this milestone has been a journey of continuous improvement–and a key part of that journey has been the partnership with ANCA.

In its early days, Gorilla Mill faced challenges in finding machines that could meet its production needs. Various machine types were trialled, but none offered the reliability or ease of use required to expand its portfolio and scale operations effectively.

“We tried out various different types of machines, and they weren’t really working for us,” Cranker recalls.

Everything changed when Gorilla Mill was introduced to ANCA. The first machine purchased from ANCA quickly proved to be a game changer. Its performance, reliability, and user-friendly features immediately stood out, setting the stage for a long-lasting partnership. Today, Gorilla Mill operates nearly 30 ANCA machines, proving their importance in the company’s success.

An ANCA machine “works exactly how you need it to”

One of the standout features of ANCA machines is their intuitive design. “ANCA is by far the easiest machine to train somebody on,” Cranker explains. “Their software is so user friendly, it spells everything out. You know what you’re adjusting without needing to read a manual—it’s all right there.”

The CPX blank preparation machine was a “no-brainer” addition to Gorilla Mill’s operations. Its intuitiveness and ability to deliver consistent results have helped the company adopt a mass production mindset.

“These machines brought the productivity, the cycle time reduction, and the reliability we needed,” says Cranker. “They were robust, user friendly and repeatable. You could count on the same results every time. It works exactly how you need it to.”

Raising the bar in precision and quality with the MX7 ULTRA

Gorilla Mill’s acquisition of the MX7 ULTRA has lifted the game in tooling precision. This premium machine produces better finishes, extends wheel life, and ensures repeatable quality—all critical for high-precision jobs.

“The MX ULTRA is all that it’s advertised to be. You can really tell the difference in the quality of tooling—you get a better finish, your wheels last longer, the tools are more repeatable. It’s everything good coming together,” Cranker says.

The machine has also become a key selling point for Gorilla Mill, especially for customers requiring the highest levels of accuracy. “Our customers absolutely love the ULTRA. We're able to show that we have taken the initiative to get a next-level machine to deliver what they're looking for.”

For large-scale production runs, ANCA’s LaserUltra has been indispensable. Its ability to handle complex multi-flute tools with ease and reduce wheel dressing downtime has significantly enhanced productivity.

“We run the laser on big production jobs—you know, seven flute tools, nine flute tools. And I'm talking thousands of tools. If we didn’t have to dress wheels, we would never have to stop the machine,” says Cranker.

A shared vision for growth and innovation

As Gorilla Mill and ANCA both celebrate 50 years in business, their partnership stands as a shining example of mutual success. ANCA’s commitment to innovation mirrors Gorilla Mill’s own ethos of continuous improvement.
“ANCA has continuously shown to us that they have a drive to keep growing, and that ambition works perfectly with us,” Cranker emphasises.

This shared vision has not only strengthened their relationship but also enabled Gorilla Mill to continue leading the way in cutting tool manufacturing. From ease of use and precision to customer satisfaction, the partnership with ANCA has been instrumental in shaping the company’s journey.
 

23 February 2026