Industry News

Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc. (MITGI), Hutchinson, Minn., has been awarded a 2014 Image Award, one of eleven Manufacturing Awards presented by Minnesota Business Magazine. A first time finalist for the award, MITGI was honored for its efforts to improve the industry's image and for promoting careers in manufacturing.

Toolmaker Walter USA LLC, Waukesha, Wis., has expanded its Walter Xpress line to include specials with the addition of indexable insert tools for drilling, boring and counterboring.

Methods Machine Tools Inc., a supplier of machine tools, automation and accessories, will hold an open house at its Tempe, Ariz. Technology Center on Nov. 5th and 6th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Manufacturing professionals are welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, click here.

U.S. Shop Tools, Anaheim, Calif., has released its 2014/15 Express catalog. The 178-page catalog contains information and pricing on the company's most popular offerings, including chuck jaws, lathe chucks, lathe toolholder bushings, collet pads, live centers, internal lathe workholding, ER, TG, DA & AF collets, retention knobs, vise jaws, milling toolholders and indexable drills.

Machine tool builder Romi Machine Tools Ltd., Erlanger, Ky., announced Mike Burchill, president of Marshall Manufacturing, Minneapolis, as the winner of the "It's Time I Had a Romi in my Shop" sweepstakes, conducted at IMTS 2014 in Chicago. Burchill will receive a Romi C 420 CNC lathe, valued at $63,000.

Widia, a Fort Mill, S.C.-based toolmaker, has launched its NOVO desktop and tablet application, which gives users on-demand delivery of cutting tool data and expertise for reduced product development and manufacturing lead times, according to the company. NOVO assists shop personnel in a number of intuitive ways.

MSC Industrial Supply, Melville, N.Y., opened its fifth distribution center, or Customer Fulfillment Center, in Columbus, Ohio. The distributor of MRO supplies marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. MSC first announced plans for the new facility in 2012 when it purchased the 70-acre plot where the 400,000 sq.-ft. facility now sits.

Polygon Solutions is one of a group of Florida manufacturers that has volunteered to host events during National Manufacturing Day Oct. 3. About 1,300 events are scheduled throughout the U.S. This is the third year of the event, and the third year the Fort Myers-based company is participating.

On Aug. 11, Hutchinson, Minn.-area businesses partnered with the local Economic Development Authority (EDA), the Southwest Initiative Foundation, and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development as part of a statewide initiative to promote Minnesota as a viable manufacturing area for businesses that are considering locations in the U.S.