Industry News

A survey by the Associated General Contractors of America concluded that approximately 62 percent of firms are unable to fill skilled trade positions--jobs that require a set of skills and knowledge but not necessarily a postsecondary degree. Seventy four percent of firms also predict a deficit of qualified skilled trade workers as baby boomers retire over the next five years. The good news is that employers are not sitting on the sidelines.

Franklin Bronze Precision Components LLC, Franklin, Pa., announced promotions and implementation of a significant number of continuous improvement suggestions, all geared toward improving production processes, product flow and quality, ultimately resulting in reduced time to market.

Weiler Abrasives Group announced the launch of a national fundraising campaign, Leading a Warriors’ Charge, in partnership with Workshops for Warriors, a nonprofit school that trains, certifies and helps place veterans, wounded warriors and transitioning service members into advanced manufacturing careers. Weiler donated $25,000 to kick off the year-long campaign that will support machining and welding training programs at the nonprofit trade school, as well as contribute to long-term growth of the organization.

Siemens PLM Software, Plano, Texas, appointed Brenda Discher to a new position for the company: senior vice president for strategy and marketing.

Big Kaiser Precision Tooling Inc., Hoffman Estates, Ill., appointed Gillian Campbell marketing communications manager.

Big Data! The Sensor Revolution! IoT! Industry 4.0! These terms are flying about with promise of improvements in capacity and efficiency, ushering in the “Third Industrial Revolution!” There is always hype when talking about what new technologies can deliver, but I see real and significant potential advances and will come to those who have the boldness, vision, and technical talent to effectively and efficiently develop these new technologies.

Gleason-Pfauter Maschinenfabrik GmbH held a grand opening ceremony for its facility in Studen, Switzerland.

Eriez Manufacturing Co., Erie, Pa., announced that Hi Pro Equipment Inc., Kalamazoo, Mich., earned the 2017 Merwin Sales Award.

The Whittemore Co., Addison, Ill., added the cutting tool brands of Precision Twist Drill, Dormer, Pramet and Union Butterfield to its already broad portfolio of products it represents.

LMT Onsrud LP, Waukegan, Ill., hired Chris Stewart as the composites application specialist covering the U.S. and Canada.

Teradyne Inc., North Reading, Mass., and the shareholders of Mobile Industrial Robots ApS, Odense, Denmark, announced the acquisition of privately held MiR for €121 million ($148 million) net of cash acquired plus €101 million ($124 million at the current exchange rate) if certain performance targets are met extending through 2020.

Jtekt Toyoda Americas Corp., Arlington Heights, Ill., welcomes ACI Machine Tool Sales LLC as the latest edition to the company's distribution network.

To achieve the quality and productivity requirements for most precision grinding operations, it is necessary that the grinding wheel is trued and dressed prior to grinding and periodically during the grinding operation. The truing process is initially carried out to correct for any wheel runout, create the required profile on the wheel, and condition the grinding wheel face.

Coldwater Machine Co., Coldwater, Ohio, a leading engineered solutions company that manufactures and integrates assembly automation and special machines for a variety of industries, appointed Gregg Boggs regional sales manager for the Southeast region of the United States.

Foba Laser Marking + Engraving, Selmsdorf, Germany, appointed an experienced sales manager in charge of customer service in the states of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

As leaders of developing and deploying emerging technologies to new users, Mitsui Seiki USA Inc., Franklin Lakes, N.J., and TechSolve Inc., Cincinnati, will host a public unveiling of the Blue Arc machining technology at a technology preview and demonstration in Cincinnati on June 6.

BLM Group USA Corp., Novi, Mich., appointed three regional sales managers to support the company’s high-precision laser tube and flat sheet cutting and tube bending business in the United States and Canada.

To build cars, appliances and airplanes, it takes tools made in Idaho. At Micro 100 Tool Corp., a cutting-edge operation helps create cutting tools. "We make carbide cutting tools that are used in all machining and manufacturing operations around the world," said Dale Newberry, president of Micro 100 Tool.

Once again, the International Manufacturing Technology Show is right around the corner. IMTS 2018 takes place Sept. 10-15 at Chicago's McCormick Place, which is literally just down the road from where I live.

ZOLLER Inc. inaugurated its new North American Headquarters on May 18, 2018, in the presense of the Zoller family, esteemed architect David Gebhardt, and Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. The entire North American employee base and their families and friends also attended the gala celebration event. The new facility encompasses more than 44,000 sq. ft. and houses the U.S. corporate offices including sales, service and administration. In addition, the facility features an 8,800 sq. ft. Industry 4.0 Tech Center.