December 2009 News

Sales Organization Restructured

Dave Lucius is the new VP of sales at Methods Machine Tools and will oversee the entire North American sales organization. He was previously the company’s VP, national distribution.

The restructuring includes three new regional technical sales manager positions as well: Ken Corklin, who will be responsible for the U.S. eastern territory; Russ Henry who will be responsible for the U.S. central region in addition to all of Canada; and Sergio Tondato, who will cover the western U.S. and all of Mexico. The expanded sales structure will also include continuous field training and provide more direct customer contact time, faster response time and more accurate, user-friendly reporting and communications. Contact the company by visiting methodsmachine.com.

Fast Growing Company

Toolmex Corporation has earned a position on the 2009 Inc. 5000 List, ranking the corporation as one of the fastest growing companies in America. The company credits a combination of cutting edge technological savvy and a strong emphasis on customer needs for its growth.

"Being among this rare list of companies is evidence of our significant accomplishments," says Ark Kielb, president and CEO. "We are honored to share the spotlight with some of the most successful businesses in America." Contact the company by visiting toolmex.com.

Software Rental Program

Exact Software’s new rental program provides job shops and contract/make-to-order manufacturers with JobBoss shop management and control functionality in exchange for a low monthly fee. The rental plan has been developed as an option for companies that need reliable shop management software, but have not yet justified the cost of purchasing a full-featured software system.

"Investing in software is a step businesses must take as they develop," says Mitch Alcon, president of Exact Americas. "This program makes one of the best manufacturing software systems much more accessible to job shops that otherwise may not have been able to justify the investment."

The monthly rental fee includes software, training, technical support and all software upgrades. Contact the company at (800) 777-4334.

Association Relocates to Ohio

The National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) plans to relocate its national headquarters to Independence, Ohio. The board of trustees approved the move in a recent conference call vote. In announcing their decision, the 2009 NTMA executive team said the relocation is being made to strengthen the association by reducing operating costs, allowing the association to be more accessible to members and to increase the potential of its "One Voice" for American Manufacturing.

The NTMA has agreed to relocate to the building presently owned by the Precision Metal Forming Association. The two associations will maintain their separate identities, but share common staff duties. The plan is to create a new organization that will manage common staff positions such as meeting planning, customer service, accounting, clerical and others so both organizations will save on overhead. Contact NTMA by visiting ntma.org.

Wickman Buys Tooling Product Line

New life has been breathed into a recently ailing Coventry precision engineering company. The Tangi-Flow range of tooling products will resume production thanks to the enthusiasm of the directors of Wickman, another long-established Coventry-based business.

The first step in the transfer to the Wickman Group has been the appointment of Wickman’s Mick Lynskey as managing director of Tangi-Flow. He has worked for Wickman for 18 years as a key member of the management team. Two former employees of L & TI Brock will transfer to Wickman’s Discovery Way factory, and some machines will be brought to Wickman. The remainder will be sold. Contact the group at Tangi-Flow.com.

Company Invests $9 Million in Manufacturing Plant

Mazak is currently investing $9 million in new machines at its lean manufacturing plant in Florence, Ky. This investment involves installation of four new Versatech V-100N machining centers. Two of the machines have already been installed and put into production lines. The V-100Ns replace six of the older V-100 models from Mazak’s FMS line and allow for much higher levels of productivity. Contact the company by visiting mazakusa.com.