Economy

Ceratizit SA has acquired German solid carbide toolmaker Klenk GmbH & Co. KG, augmenting the Ceratizit Group's product portfolio with custom solutions for solid-carbide round tools, according to the company. With the addition of Klenk, the Ceratizit Group aims to further strengthen its position in the solid-carbide tool market, according to Thierry Wolter of the Ceratizit Group's executive board. "It is our aim to be perceived as a global premium player for all cutting tools," he said.  

Toolmaker SGS Tool Co., Munroe Falls, Ohio, has completed and held a grand opening of its new 76,000 sq. ft. endmill facility in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The new plant was constructed next to the company's existing manufacturing facilities and creates increased toolmaking capacity.

According to the Global Waterjet Machine Market 2015-2019 research report, enhanced R&D innovations are expected to reduce costs in the worldwide waterjet machine market, with customers other than traditional end users generating demand. 

CNC tool grinding machine builder Strausak AG, Lohn-Ammannsegg, Switzerland, opened a subsidiary in Mundelein, Ill., and incorporated in the state of Illinois on July 1. Hank Ecker, previously regional sales manager of Rollomatic Inc., is the new president of Strausak Inc.

Weiler Corp., Cresco, Pa., a provider of surface conditioning products, donated $10,000 to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, along with $4,500 in Weiler products to help with the group's 2-week Build-A-Thon program in eastern New Orleans. "We were honored to have participated," said President and CEO Chris Weiler. "The Weiler team welcomed the opportunity to support the work of an organization that will restore the promise of New Orleans' future, and the future of its residents." 

CNC machining and manufacturing services provider Paramount Precision Products, Oak Park, Mich., has acquired the CNC machining company Numerical Productions Inc., Indianapolis. Paramount, a minority-owned supplier intends to expand its machining services to manufacturing companies throughout the Midwest.  

The partners responsible for producing Manufacturing Day at the national level have refreshed its website, MFGDAY.com. The upgraded site offers more resources for sponsors, companies, supporters and volunteers which, according to the group, make it easier to participate in this year's annual celebration of manufacturing, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2. 

Among the 85 respondents to Cutting Tool Engineering magazine's Salary Survey Addendum, the annual average salary for manual machinists stands at $39,340, which represents an average hourly wage of $18.91. Combining the survey addendum results with CTE's 2014 Salary & Benefits Survey, which is based on data collected last fall from 215 respondents, the annual average salary for manual machinists is $39,202, which is about $18.85 an hour. 

OSG USA Inc.'s training tour, Train the Nation, is back for 2015 and 2016. The Glendale Heights, Ill.-based toolmaker will host an eight-discipline course covering the machining of 3D parts. Experts from OSG will introduce techniques that highlight programming, machining applications and cutting tools.

3D Systems, Rock Hill, S.C., has completed its acquisition of all shares of Israeli CAD/CAM software firm Cimatron Ltd. for approximately $97 million, inclusive of Cimatron's net cash.