Sandvik Coromant Co. joins Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research and Development

Scappoose, Oregon; July 19, 2018 – The Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research and Development (OMIC R&D) continues to grow its company membership with the addition this month of global cutting tools manufacturer Sandvik Coromant. With a total now of sixteen manufacturing industry partners and three Oregon public universities, the Scappoose, Oregon based R&D facility continues to build a world-class operation to develop advanced metals manufacturing technologies through its research and development activities.

Part of global industrial engineering group Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant is at the forefront of manufacturing tools, machining solutions and knowledge that drive industry standards and innovations demanded by the metalworking industry. Sandvik Coromant is known for its educational support, extensive R&D investment and strong customer partnerships that ensure the development of machining technologies that change, lead and drive the future of manufacturing. Sandvik Coromant owns over 3,100 patents worldwide, employs over 7,900 staff, and is represented in 150 countries.

Matt Carter, chair of the OMIC R&D Board of Governors said, “We’re pleased to welcome Sandvik Coromant to OMIC R&D as our newest member company. Their engineering and research depth in the field of metal cutting is well known in manufacturing circles, and we know that they will add real value and expertise to the OMIC enterprise. The Board looks forward to working with Sandvik Coromant as our newest partner in this unique, collaborative environment.”

OMIC R&D is the fifteenth such research center established with Boeing leadership worldwide, and the first Boeing has sponsored in the United States. Its mission is to bring together manufacturing companies and higher education in an innovation environment where “outside-in” applied research with faculty and university students solves real problems for advanced manufacturers while training the next generation of engineers and technologists. Member companies share machinery, equipment such as tools, and expertise to create a highly dynamic and innovative R&D function for members.

According to Dale Johnson, strategic account manager for Sandvik Coromant, “We are excited about joining OMIC R&D and the immense potential it provides. We know the immediate value and higher-level opportunities that come from linking academia and industry together to solve the challenges of tomorrow, especially in areas such as Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing. This membership with OMIC R&D helps Sandvik Coromant increase efficiencies, profitability, sustainability and knowledge in metal cutting for our customers.”

Sandvik Coromant joins seventeen other OMIC R&D industry and university members in the Scappoose facility: ATI; Blount International; Boeing; CG Tech; Daimler Trucks North America; Hangsterfer’s Laboratories, Inc.; Kennametal; Mitsubishi Materials Corporation; OSG USA, Inc; Silver Eagle Manufacturing; Summit Manufacturing Inc.; Vigor; Walter Tools; and WFL Millturn Technologies; and university partners Oregon Institute of Technology (Oregon Tech); Oregon State University (OSU); and Portland State University (PSU).

Craig Campbell, executive director of OMIC R&D said, “We are really building strength across metals manufacturing with Sandvik Coromant joining OMIC R&D. Their quality standards and approach to innovation in cutting tools is seen across their organization and in their impressive products and services. All of us at OMIC R&D look forward to learning and growing with engagement from Sandvik Coromant.”

The OMIC R&D model focuses research on helping indigenous industries increase competitiveness while creating a real partnership with and integration into the local economy. As research activities expand with high-cost, high-value machinery added on to the production floor, OMIC R&D will increase state and regional commercial productivity in manufacturing and stimulate economic growth and development.

Coordinated with OMIC R&D’s applied research projects will be hands-on “earn and learn” apprenticeship programs at the PCC OMIC Training Center, led by Portland Community College, and located in a nearby facility that PCC is building. While the Training Center construction is underway, PCC has a temporary delivery site at Scappoose High School.

OMIC R&D has the strong support of trade unions, including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, which recognize the importance of training and apprenticeship programs in growing high-skill, high-wage manufacturing jobs in Oregon via innovation and industry growth. Metals manufacturing is a cornerstone industry for the Greater Portland area, with current employment estimated at nearly 28,000 and approximately 600 small, medium and large metals manufacturing companies.