Industry News

Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa., celebrated its sales representative agencies that have been partners with the company for 50 years or longer.

Scottie Mahl joined finishing toolmaker Osborn, Richmond, Ind., as director of marketing and product management.

Brett Green joined dimensional metrology equipment manufacturer Mahr Inc., Providence, R.I., as vice president of sales for the Americas.

Dimensional metrology equipment manufacturer and member of the worldwide Mahr Group, Mahr Inc., Providence, R.I., announced that Karen Gardner joined the company as director of human resources.

Proto Labs Inc., Maple Plain, Minn., acquired privately held company Rapid Manufacturing Group LLC, Nashua, N.H., a custom parts supplier specializing in quick-turn sheet metal fabrication and CNC machining.

Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, Kan., which makes metal detection, material-handling and magnetic separation equipment, appointed Kevin Miller general manager of the company's primary manufacturing facility in Newton.

Abco Automation Inc., Browns Summit, N.C., a designer and builder of high-end factory automation systems, signed a value-added reseller agreement with Visual Components, Espoo, Finland, a maker of 3D manufacturing factory simulation software.

Mezzanine, vertical material lift and safety guarding products manufacturer Wildeck Inc., Waukesha, Wis., is fully integrating its Goodyear, Ariz., subsidiary, Ladder Industries Inc.

Sonaca Montreal, a manufacturer of large aerostructures and a subsidiary of Belgium-based Sonaca Group, inaugurated a new high-speed milling center at its plant in Mirabel, Que.

Clemson University announced the creation of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing. CU-CAM will consolidate all interdisciplinary education, research, innovation and engagement involving manufacturing-oriented activities under one umbrella with the overarching goal to improve manufacturing effectiveness, quality and sustainability. This confluence of expertise and infrastructure will enable the center to provide timely, relevant translation of innovation directly to industry partners.

ShareAmerica introduces Rochelle White, an example of a next-generation manufacturing worker: "White, 28, of Chicago, represents the next generation of American workers getting groomed for advanced manufacturing jobs. She is in the final phase of a free, 13-month program at Building Self Determination Industries, which operates a manufacturing company on the city's South Side, where unemployment and poverty rates are high. Once White completes the program, she will be a certified robotics technician."

My Nov. 20 blog post titled "Manufacturers favor a digital workplace transformation but hold tight to their wallets" generated an insightful response from Jesse Z. Melton, owner of Harpers Ferry Toolworks.