Industry News

My Nov. 20 blog post titled "Manufacturers favor a digital workplace transformation but hold tight to their wallets" generated an insightful response from Jesse Z. Melton, owner of Harpers Ferry Toolworks.

Drilling has long been the cornerstone of the machining process, consuming roughly 50 percent of all tools and creating 75 percent of all chips. So it comes as no surprise that shops interested in reducing costs and increasing productivity should look first toward the full optimization of their holemaking processes with today’s advanced solid-carbide and indexable-insert drill technologies.

A recent survey has 80 percent of manufacturers and energy companies implementing or developing a digital workplace transformation plan. Only 18 percent are allocating at least a quarter of their budget toward these efforts over the next 12 months, however—and that’s the minimum percentage needed to get started, according to Dan Chalk, director of solution engineering for NTT Data Services, Plano, Texas.

Kitagawa-NorthTech Inc., Schaumburg, Ill., which specializes in standard chucks, advanced chucks, custom-engineered workholding and steady rests, announced that Shawn Luschei has rejoined the company as senior manager of sales for North America.

Christopher "Chris" Mendicino established Kairos Manufacturing Solutions, Sturbridge, Mass., in partnership with Adion Systems, Vancouver, British Columbia, the developer of ProShop comprehensive enterprise resource planning management software, to sell and support ProShop in the New England region.

Omegasonics, Simi Valley, Calif., a manufacturer of ultrasonic cleaning systems, announced that it is expanding and has opened a manufacturing plant in Ferndale, Wash.

MTD Micro Molding, Charlton, Mass., which specializes in microinjection molding for the medical device industry, has made a significant investment to expand its overmolding services.

Heller Machine Tools LP, Troy, Mich., hired Stephen Pegram as vice president of sales for North America.

Vasko Popovski joined Franklin Bronze Precision Components LLC, Franklin, Pa., as sales manager.

To strengthen its customer support in Mexico, Seco Tools LLC, Troy, Mich., opened a facility in Querétaro.

MFG.com, Marietta, Ga., an online manufacturing marketplace, appointed Ronald L. Hollis, Ph.D., president and CEO.

Single Source Technologies, Auburn Hills, Mich., a global distributor of machine tool and consumable brands, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 30 to open its facility in New Britain, Conn., alongside Mayor Erin Stewart.

Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa., marked 70 years of partnership with High Point, N.C.-based manufacturers’ representative agency Dominion-Carolina Sales Inc.

Pferd Inc., Milwaukee, a global manufacturer of abrasives, brushes and power tools, announced a restructuring of its sales operations into three distinct regions: East, Central and West.

Earlier this week we shared the conclusions of the McKinsey Report, which concluded that it may be possible for U.S. manufacturing to grow by 20 percent and add more than 2 million jobs by 2025. That was the good news. It can only happen, however, if manufacturers embrace Industry 4.0 technology. The Integr8 conference in Detroit showed how to get started.

Mazak Corp., Florence, Ky., and MachiningCloud Inc., Camarillo, Calif., announced their partnership.

Just over a year after breaking ground, United Grinding North America Inc., Miamisburg, Ohio, opened its new 110,000-sq.-ft. headquarters.

Parker Steel Co., Maumee, Ohio, hired Shawn Kaelber as information technology manager.

Over 26,000 RedLine Tools, Plymouth, Minn., items are now available through MachiningCloud Inc., Camarillo, Calif.

CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., developer of Mastercam, partnered with Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, Pa., to provide customers with the ability to quickly import tool assemblies from Novo directly into Mastercam 2018.