Industry News

ATHOL, MA U.S.A. – The L.S. Starrett Company (http://www.starrett.com), a global manufacturer of precision measuring tools and gages, metrology systems and more, has announced the appointment of Mr. Jon-Michael Raymond as Director of Sales, North America, Industrial Products, effective March 25th.

Cadillac, Michigan, Wedin International Inc. of Cadillac Michigan announces the purchase of PGM Products Inc. Ball Screw manufacturing of Warren Michigan.

Leuven. Nikon Metrology announced today that Canadian based 7D Kinematic Metrology Inc, has acquired Nikon Metrology's iGPS dynamic tracking business.

As company president Ed Beaumont explains, "We needed a fresh start and we were committed to making it happen, on every level, from our physical location to the machine offerings to the markets served and more."

Erie, PA—Senior Sales Director of Eriez-USA Dave Heubel announces that Jeff Kaveney has been named Director of Sales and Product Management.

Handling Systems International, Inc. (La Grange, IL) recently announced the purchase of a new 57,000 sq. ft manufacturing facility in McCook, IL.

Vallen Distribution Inc., a leader in indirect industrial supplies, technical safety services and integrated solutions, has named Rick Harris as director of metalworking. Harris will be responsible for all metalworking-related functions, including training and marketing, and managing relationships with suppliers and metalworking specialists.

Panel building on machine tools is no longer as simple as wiring a few components and calling it a day. Now, there are more deadlines, cost pressures, standards, new directives, plus an increasing pressure to innovate. Besides commonly encountered problems related to time, cost, compliance and quality, there is also an increased degree of automation in the pre-fabrication of cables and the automated production of sheet metal parts.

The Hypertherm Owners' Philanthropic Endeavors (HOPE) Foundation, a public 501(c)(3) organization, is partnering with the Institute of American Apprenticeships at Vermont HITEC on a pilot program to teach software development to high school juniors and seniors.

Bridging the manufacturing skills gap calls for innovative training approaches to equip employees with the new technical skills they need to succeed in the industry. Simulation training is one approach that has the potential to recruit and onboard employees and provide them with the needed skills.

Local microfactories democratize innovation, making production more readily available to entrepreneurs, inventors and makers.

Swift work by NVision Inc. helped a major U.S. airline quickly repair a bird-damaged Boeing 737 wing and return the restored jet back to flight in just two days. The rapid turnaround helped the airline avoid the financial losses typically incurred by grounding aircraft.