January 2010 News

600 Europe Appoints New Managing Director

Mike Berry has been appointed managing director of 600 Europe, responsible for managing and developing the Group’s newly centralized machine tool business in the U.K. and continental Europe.

600 Europe was established as a part of the Group’s move to a simpler business model. All the Group’s European warehousing facilities and inventories were consolidated into a central logistics operation in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, during the recently completed restructuring program. The logistics center is a shared service within the Machine Tools Division and covers all the Group’s global markets.

David Norman, chief executive, says, "Mr. Berry has almost 35 years experience in the machine tool business. He has made a valuable contribution to the Group since 2001, particularly during the recent successful, but demanding, restructuring. His profound knowledge of the machine tools industry and exceptional management skills will lead 600 Europe into an exciting new era."

LNS Group on Course for Growth

While the world financial crisis slows down all the segments of the machine tool industry, Swiss company LNS plans to grow and expand considerably. "The goal is to double the size of our company within 5 years," explains Thomas H. Boehmer, CEO of the LNS Group.

"A crisis is always also an opportunity," Mr. Boehmer says. "We want to expand into new markets, offer new services and products and strongly increase the R&D investments." One of the big targets is further expansion in Asia, where LNS currently operates from two production facilities in China and Taiwan and with a network of sales and service agents. Contact the company by visiting
LNS-Group.com.

Almco Returns to Previous Name

In 2008, the holding company, Innovance, formed a new corporation by combining two of its properties, Almco Inc., and KleenTec Inc., for internal considerations.

The KleenTec product line has been sold to another firm, Fountain Industries. This allows Almco to return to its previous name, effective immediately. Contact Almco by visiting Almcoinc.com.

Company Makes Grant to Clemson University

Gibbs and Associates has granted the Clemson University Campbell Graduate Engineering Center 50 seats of its GibbsCAM software for the university’s use in undergraduate and post-graduate mechanical and automotive engineering research and curricula. The software will be used for advanced CNC machining simulation and analysis at the university campus and the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research. Clemson University uses CAD, CAM and many other advanced analytical and manufacturing technologies in its mechanical and automotive engineering programs. The software is valued at more than $550,000. Contact the company by visiting GibbsCAM.com.

Metris Rebrands to Nikon Metrology

The corporate name of Metris has changed to Nikon Metrology NV. Under the Nikon brand, Nikon and Metris will synergize respective strengths with regards to technology, marketing and services, thereby delivering metrology products with a broad application reach to its worldwide customer base.

The new organization yields the most complete metrology offering, as Nikon 2.5D vision measuring systems complement optical and mechanical Metris 3D metrology solutions.

"We are delighted to be able to trade under the flag of the powerful Nikon brand, facilitating and accelerating the global rollout of our optical metrology revolution," states Bart Van Coppenolle, founder of Metris and CEO of Nikon Metrology. "We look forward to further invest in future product development and customer support, leveraging the strength of a strong international technology group. Together, we will strengthen our leadership position as an optical metrology innovator and firmly extend trade with our global customers and business partners." Contact Nikon by visiting nikonmetrology.com.

Company Provides Machine Tools to College

Okuma America Corporation and distributor Hartwig Inc. will provide machine tool equipment to Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) for use in its Machine Tool Technology Program. The machine tool lab, soon to be known as the Okuma Institute for Technology at Davis Applied Technology College, will also serve as a showroom for Hartwig in the Rocky Mountain region, providing local manufacturers an opportunity to see, first-hand, the Okuma machines and THINC control technology. Contact Okuma at (704) 504-6324.

New Swiss CNC

ZPS America LLC has announced its newest Swiss CNC, the ZPS Swiss. The company has designed the Swiss CNC by combining traditional mechanical knowledge with the most up-to-date developments. The ZPS Swiss series covers the range from 11- to 32-mm bar diameter. The rigid, European-built machine is designed for continuous or series production of precision turned parts. Contact the company at (317) 452-4030.

New Chairman of AMT Board

Dan Janka, president, MAG Global, was elected Chairman of the AMT—Association For Manufacturing Technology board of directors at its October 23, 2009, annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. Mr. Janka was previously elected as a member of the AMT board in 2005 and most recently served as vice chairman on the 2008-2009 board and on the association’s Government Relations Committee. Contact MAG by visiting mag-ias.com.