PM News: February 2011

New Engineering Manager

Hanwha Machinery America has appointed David Folz as engineering manager at its Franklin, Wisconsin, headquarters. Mr. Folz holds an engineering certificate from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Starting in the parts department of Nomura Inc., he worked his way up to engineering manager of its Swiss machines. Mr. Folz spent 12 years as a general manager of Metaport, a Swiss job shop in New Jersey. Prior to relocating to Wisconsin, he was employed with ABLE Machinery in Agawam, Mass., as its Swiss applications manager.

Stotz Becomes Part of AME

Advanced Machine & Engineering has become the exclusive North American distributor for Stotz Measuring Systems, which includes air and electronic gaging devices.

Companies Join Forces in Japan

Mikron Machining and DKSH Japan K.K. have decided to join forces in Japan. The two companies will thereby achieve synergies in the market and strengthen their footprint in Japan.

With the clear aim of accelerated sales growth in Japan, Mikron Machining’s experienced team and current business operations, sales and services activities in Japan has been integrated into DKSH Japan. Both partners are convinced that the business agreement represents an important milestone, which will further strengthen Mikron Machining and DKSH’s position in Japan.

New Director, Business Services

Mike Verkamp was named Sandvik Coromant’s new director, business services. In this position, he will track manufacturers’ changing needs for services and establish processes, projects and programs that address these needs.

Mr. Verkamp has been a part of the Sandvik Coromant team for 13 years and held a variety of positions, the most recent of which was director of sales.

2010 Summit Award Goes to …

Boston Centerless has been selected as the 2010 recipient of Consona Corporation’s Summit award for its Made2Manage ERP solution. This Best Overall Use award honors a customer that has been able to demonstrate excellence in using multiple applications of their chosen solution, in this case, the Made2Manage ERP solution. Recipients of the award submit both qualitative and quantitative data that illustrate how the solution has improved the customer’s overall business performance. Award recipients display full use of both core and add-on solutions, steady business growth, a strong return on investment, and a passion for implementing and mastering new technologies.

“We’re thrilled to honor Boston Centerless with a Summit Award for the best use of the Made2Manage ERP solution,” says Jeff Tognoni, CEO, Consona. “The company’s use of the solution is a great example of the ways companies can use all their resources —people and technology—to gain efficiencies, solve everyday problems and cut costs.”

Seco Tools Makes Acquisition

Seco Tools has signed an agreement to acquire the American companies NC Industries (NCI) and Diamond Tool Coating (DTC).

NCI is a producer of solid carbide end mills under the Niagara Cutters and Arch Micro Tools brands. NCI and DTC have combined annual sales of around $37 million and 170 employees. The largest production unit is located in Reynoldsville, Penn. Sherwood Bollier will remain president of NCI and DTC after the acquisition and both companies will continue as separate entities in order to ensure continuity in operations. Andreas Fritz, managing director of Jabro, will be board chairman for the companies. The acquisition is planned for completion before the end of the year.

Houston Technical Center Opens

A new joint technical center in Houston will showcase DMG and Mori Seiki machine tools and technology for the energy and oil field industries. The official grand opening will be held in early 2011. The 22,500-square-foot facility is one of the largest of Ellison’s 21 locations across the U.S. and Canada and includes a full staff of more than 25 service, application and sales engineers, including engineering support staff from DMG/Mori Seiki USA.

Customers will be able to see live demonstrations on technology specific to their business and create an opportunity for customer process testing and development at its 6,500-square-foot showroom. The facility also features a training and media area for customer seminars, product demonstrations and training sessions.

Manufacturing Hall of Fame 2010

The Reshoring Initiative’s founder, Harry Moser, has been named as one of the 2010 inductees into Industry Week’s Manufacturing Hall of Fame. Individuals are selected for this honor based upon their overall contribution to American manufacturing.

The Reshoring Initiative documents for manufacturers the benefits of sourcing in the United States. With a career spanning four decades in American manufacturing, Mr. Moser spent 22 years as president of Charmilles Technologies Corporation, now GF Agie Charmilles, and is now Chairman Emeritus. He retired from that position at the end of 2010 and now works full time on the Reshoring Initiative.

“I am honored by the recognition provided by Industry Week,” Mr. Moser says. “The U.S.’ $500 billion-plus per year trade deficit is an economic cancer, causing high unemployment and raising the U.S. budget deficit. Reshoring is the most efficient and direct way to overcome part of the problem. Anything that brings more attention to this cause is good for our country. If your company offshores, I encourage you to use the Initiative’s free software to reevaluate your sourcing decisions.” Contact Harry Moser at harry.moser@comcast.net.