Industry News

The W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop, Rices Landing, Penn., has a shiny new plaque designating it a National Historic Landmark. Rivers of Steel Heritage Corp. has been making repairs to the building since purchasing it from the Greene County Historical Society in 2009.

Typically in a scrap handling process, the how and where the scrap is collected and disposed of is not part of the conveyor system's design—but should be. That how and where could be crucial to the longevity of your conveyor. PRAB Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich., has a free, downloadable white paper on "The Importance of Design Elements in Maximizing the Life of Your Steel Belt Conveyor," that details what to be aware of.

Colson Group USA, a manufacturer of casters, wheels and other mobility products, continues to make significant investments to its production and distribution operations while reshoring manufacturing.

Techniks Industries, Indianapolis, in April announced it had acquired the tooling assets of Parlec Inc., a Rochester, N.Y., company. With the acquisition, Techniks expands its broad product offering of aftermarket machine tool accessories, and greatly enhances its manufacturing and distribution capabilities to distributors and OEMs located throughout North America, according to a company news release.

At the first general session of NTMA’s annual meeting near Jacksonville, FL, Chris Kaiser, President/CEO of BIG KAISER, presented a donation for $4,100 to benefit the NTMA’s National Robotics League (NRL). 

Spring Technologies, Boston, which offers CNC software solutions, in April announced that it had joined AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, which represents and promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members.

Marposs, Auburn Hills, Mich., in March appointed Philipp Janssen as product manager for its forming and stamping monitoring solutions, which were acquired through the Brankamp GmbH acquisition in 2012. Janssen will be responsible for the development of product strategies for Marposs’ process monitoring solutions for cold forming and metal forming operations.

Parker Steel Company, Maumee, Ohio, a supplier of metric-sized metals in North America, in March moved its headquarters from Toledo to Maumee. The company still maintains its two Toledo-based warehouses in the same locations.

TM Robotics, in partnership with Toshiba Machine, announced it has teamed up with ASG, a certified manufacturer, provider, and service center focused on products and automated solutions for assembly. ASG will offer Toshiba Machine robots in both national and international markets.

Cleaning Technologies Group (CTG), Cincinnati, Ohio, in March announced the promotion of Chris Whittaker to Vice President Business Development & Marketing. Whittaker formerly served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

United Grinding, Miamisburg, Ohio, in March appointed Michael Gebhardt as Vice President of Operations. In the position, he will manage the company’s first-ever Operations Division at its new facility, and serve as a member of the company's Executive Management Team.

Walter Surface Technologies, Dallas, in March announced the opening of a 22,000 sq. ft, distribution and training center in Dallas. Located at the Freeport Corporate Center, the new facility directly serves 20 states throughout the Southern and Western United States.

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., in March announced a partnership with a leading independent machine tools and allied equipment supplier to help strengthen the supplier's commitment to offering a "total customer solution." Engineering Technology Group (ETG), which employs 100 people at its headquarters in the West Midlands, signed a deal with CNC Software to sell Mastercam and Cimco software across the United Kingdom, providing manufacturers with access to the latest CAM and CNC technology.

Seco Tools LLC, Troy, Mich., in March expanded its service and support team with the addition of Olivier Branget to its North American Applications Engineering group and the promotion of Aaron Eller to Product Manager, ISO Turning and Advanced Materials.

“When I founded my diamond grindery in 1922, I never would have thought that LACH DIAMANT would one day be a pioneer in the manufacturing of diamond tools…” said Jakob Lach, the founder of LACH DIAMANT, Germany in the early 80s.

SCHUNK customers now have a fully equipped facility where they can view a demonstration, receive advice and support for their specific application, or get an expert technician for repair or service. The Tec-Center has a milling machine, lathe, air chuck display and robotic machine-loading display, giving people the ability to see a variety of processes using real parts and machines.

Dosatron International, Inc., headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., in March named Matthew Wellage as Regional Sales Manager. Wellage has 6 years of experience working for a manufacturer of chemical dispensing equipment, and more than 8 years of experience in industrial pipe, valve and fitting distribution.

BIG KAISER’s parent company, BIG DAISHOWA Seiki Co. Ltd., in March announced the completion of its new logistics and distribution center, which joins five existing factories on the lush Japanese island of Awaji. The 130,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility was built to meet the need for logistics improvements as the company's product reach expands globally, according to the company.

Funke will oversee a team of engineers to deliver complete component tooling solutions to Seco customers. He plans to further build and strengthen relationships with customers and other industry partners to deliver excellence in products and services.

Electro-Matic Ventures Inc., a supplier of high-tech automation components and services headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., in March announced it had acquired RAF Fluid Power, a provider of advanced automation with a focus on pneumatic and robotic solutions. RAF, located outside Cleveland in Solon, Ohio, is the first acquisition for Electro-Matic Ventures, which has three other subsidiaries: Electro-Matic Products, Electro-Matic Integrated, and Electro-Matic Visual.