April 2010 PM News

Manager of Strategic Programs

Seco Tools Inc. has appointed Tracie Clarke as its manager of strategic programs. In this position, Ms. Clarke will be responsible for helping to increase business through vertical market segment development as well as national and international strategic account programs. Additionally, she will manage the Pricing Organization, a group that was recently brought under the responsibility of the sales unit as part of the recent reorganization focused on getting closer to the customer.

Tracie began her career at Seco U.K. in 1996, originally starting as a machine shop technician and working her way up to regional sales manager, a position she has held since 2004 until this new appointment.

Gearmotor Manufacturer Celebrates 50 Years

On January 26, more than 200 employees of Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the St. Charles, Ill., headquartered gearmotor manufacturer. Bison was established in 1960 by three Chicago area entrepreneurs. The company began as a producer of gears and today manufactures gearmotors, electric motors and gear reducers for hundreds of customers. 

“While Bison’s continuous growth and development have been driven by our many loyal customers, to whom we are very thankful, it would not have been possible without the commitment to excellence that has driven our associates now for half a century,” says Ron Bullock, Bison chairman and owner. “Going forward, Bison’s strong focus on skills training and research and development will ensure our next half century of success as an American manufacturer.”

New President Apppointed

Cognex Corporation has promoted Robert Willett to president and COO. Mr. Willett will assume these responsibilities in addition to his current role as president of the Modular Vision Systems Division (MVSD), which is the largest operating division of Cognex. Mr. Willett will continue reporting to Dr. Robert J. Shillman.

As president of Cognex Corporation, Mr. Willett will oversee both the MVSD and the Surface Inspection Systems Division. Mr. Willett joined Cognex in 2008 as executive V.P. and president of the MVSD. Prior to that, he served as group V.P. of business development and innovation for the product identification business group at Danaher Corporation.

Companies Combine Sales and Service Operations in U.S.

Gildemeister and Mori Seiki have agreed to join all their sales and service activities into one company as of April 1 this year. DMG/Mori Seiki USA, with its offices in Chicago, will be responsible for customer service, the spare parts business, training measures and technical support, and more. The two enterprises now want to push sales in the traditional U.S. market jointly. Customers will benefit from a stronger sales and service organization.

The U.S. cooperation creates an additional advantage for customers: They will receive high-quality services that are appropriate to their individual production requirements.
“Our joint innovative customer focus allows us to approach the challenges posed by the international economic crisis in a targeted manner and to master them,” explains Dr. Rüdiger Kapitza, chairman of the Gildemeister executive board, about the reasons for the joint U.S. approach. 

Marketing Agreement

Kurt Manufacturing Company, Industrial Products Division, has signed an exclusive agreement with Leader Chuck Systems Ltd. (England) to market the Leader Chuck MMY MultiChuck concentric clamping systems in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America.

The agreement is effective with the Leader MultiChuck MMY product line to be marketed through an exclusive Kurt distributor dealer network. The MultiChuck product line consists of manual self-centering static workholding for machining centers, milling machines and grinders.

BIG Kaiser Recognized as Qualified Peripheral Supplier

BIG Kaiser Precision Tooling is excited to be recognized as an official North American Mori Seiki Qualified Peripherals (MSQP) supplier. BIG Kaiser was awarded with the honor in November at the grand opening of Mori Seiki’s new North American Headquarters and Technical Center in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

The MSQP program was created by Mori Seiki as a means of standardizing peripheral equipment to complement its machines. All MSQP products have been strictly selected, tested and approved by Mori Seiki engineers, thus assuring they will work immediately when implemented in the field.

BIG Kaiser received MSQP designation for tooling (BIG-PLUS and Capto toolholders, Kaiser boring tools and the Profit Maker Series), accessories (CCD camera, test bars and ATC alignment tools), and Speroni tool presetters.

Gene Haas Foundation Donates $25,000 to Haiti

To help the victims of the devastating earthquake that recently struck Haiti, Gene Haas and the Gene Haas Foundation have donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts. The gift, in the form of a grant, is targeted specifically for the efforts in Haiti.
Since its inception in 1999, the privately held Gene Haas Foundation has contributed more than $8.5 million to more than 800 charitable organizations and programs, including organizations for medical research and care, community services, hospice, universities, technical colleges, and many others.

Titanium Milling Seminars

Sandvik Coromant is hosting a 1-day seminar called “Taking Flight: Productive Machining in Titanium.” Industry-leading specialists will give aerospace manufacturers insight into machining titanium efficiently and cost-effectively. The seminars will feature presentations on the latest application techniques; introductions of new tools and insert grades; troubleshooting tips; optimization and method comparisons; and much more.