Sandvik Coromant president promotes innovation
In an interview conducted by CTE Editor Alan Richter at a global press event held at the company's headquarters in Sandviken, Sweden, Klas Forsström, president of AB Sandvik Coromant, discussed his new role, the state of the cutting tool market, the importance of attracting talent to manufacturing, tool recycling and the role of R&D.
Starting last month, Klas Forsström, president of AB Sandvik Coromant, also became president of Sandvik Machining Solutions, which is comprised of cutting tool brands Sandvik Coromant, Seco Tools, Dormer Pramet and Walter, as well as the company’s Powder and Blanks Technology division and new Additive Manufacturing product area.
He has been with the Sandvik group in various positions for about 25 years. He will continue as president of Sandvik Coromant, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, until a successor is found. In an interview conducted by CTE Editor Alan Richter at a global press event held at the company’s headquarters in Sandviken, Sweden, Forsström discussed his new role, the state of the cutting tool market, the importance of attracting talent to manufacturing, tool recycling and the role of R&D.
CTE: What are your expectations in heading an organization with competing tool manufacturers?
Klas Forsström is the new president of Sandvik Machining Solutions.
Forsström: I am the father of four kids. As in all families, it is good to have diversity. That is what I look forward to [in my new role at Sandvik], having a diverse family of brands. It is very often you care more for your first kid than your others, perhaps, but in the end, you love all your kids. That is really what will happen here.
CTE: How is the market for cutting tool sales?
Forsström: Sandvik Machining Solutions and Sandvik Coromant are on a pitch upwards. China is doing very well. Parts of Europe are stable but picking up. In North America, in particular the U.S., demand picked up at the end of last year. Oil and gas is leveling out and starting to pick up. Aerospace continues to do well in North America. If we are only talking about the end of last year, then I am very optimistic about the future.
CTE: What needs to occur to improve cutting tool sales for the entire industry?
Forsström: I’m a firm believer in productivity, which basically means more output with less input. The industry needs to embrace productivity even more—accepting new solutions, driving higher efficiency and, thereby, increasing
competitiveness.
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