Industry News

The aging U.S. population and labor force weigh particularly heavy on one economic sector: manufacturing. While an aging population affects most sectors, its impact on manufacturing could be outsized for a couple of reasons.

Sean Holt, head of sales area Americas for Sandvik Coromant, welcomes Annika Langéen to the vice president of marketing role for the Americas. Annika is responsible for the strategic direction of global marketing and brand positioning for the sales area.

For the first time, the annual World Robotics report includes a specific analysis on the market for collaborative robots, documenting a robust 23% growth worldwide. The International Federation of Robotics' report indicates that a substantial part of the adoption will be driven by more intelligent components, such as smart grippers, "plug and play" interfaces and programming by demonstrations.

Cameron Perkins is named director of business development – Eastern U.S.A. for Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS).

Halter CNC Automation B.V. from the Netherlands and Fastems Oy Ab from Finland have an intention to establish a joint venture, the Halter Group. Relevant parts of Fastems Systems GmbH related to R&D and production of the Halter LoadAssistant product range will be transferred to the newly founded Halter CNC Automation GmbH. This company will be located in Issum, Germany, and, together with Halter CNC Automation B.V., it will form the Halter Group.

Toolmaker LMT Tools and Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH, a leading manufacturer of CNC gear cutting machines and automation systems, are collaborating to continue the success story of the patented ChamferCut method. The two technology partners signed a cooperation contract for the new ChamferCut-CG (collision gear) and ChamferCut-IG (internal gear).

L Squared Capital Partners and GWS Tool Group announced that L Squared has partnered with GWS management to recapitalize the GWS. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ARCH announced the appointment of Lori Lorant to the position of vice president human resources. Lorant has been with the organization for almost five years and has held the roles of employee relations manager and director of human resources prior to her promotion to vice president.

Hyperion Materials & Technologies Inc. announced that it signed an agreement to acquire Arno Friedrichs Hartmetall GmbH & Co. KG and its affiliates (AFC), a global solutions provider in premium tungsten carbide blanks used in the manufacture of high precision rotary cutting tools for drilling and milling applications.

Mobile Industrial Robots opened its largest office in North America to accommodate continued growth across the continent. The new two-building, 7,376-sq.-ft. office in Holbrook, New York, replaces the Danish company's first international office, opened in the same city in 2016.

Methods Machine Tools Inc. announced that its board of directors has appointed Mark Wright as its president and CEO. Wright will assume all operating functions of Methods Machine Tools, including the Sudbury, Massachusetts, headquarters and all seven direct offices throughout the U.S., as well as its national distribution network.

Engine development company Roush Yates Manufacturing Solutions (RYMS) will now use ProShop USA Inc.'s software to manage its advanced manufacturing shop. ProShop's comprehensive ERP software allows users to control every step in the manufacturing process, from pricing and inventory to inspection data and shipping documentation. The software is especially beneficial to AS 9100 and ISO 9001 certified facilities such as Roush Yates.