11 minute read
FROM THE EDITOR
It should come as little surprise, that after the year that we have had, the manufacturing industry is still trudging ahead. Now, a full year after much of the country, and the world itself, has been in various stages of shut down or reduced capacity, we find ourselves on the verge of returning to a sense of normalcy that many of us had before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Manufacturers had closed out the year with above average technology orders in December, according to the latest US Manufacturing Technology Orders (USMTO) report from the Association of Manufacturing Technology (AMT). While January’s orders were down by 29 percent from the previous month, with a total of $322.5 million spent, this is up 12 percent from the same time last year. It also marks the first third consecutive month of year-over-year gains, which we haven’t seen since late 2018. The manufacturing industry was already poised for a rebound due to many of our readers returning to work as essential businesses early on, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.
All of the problems in terms of the ever-growing skills gap, and the continuing loss of knowledge as experienced workers make the decision to retire, are still present. It’s not just a matter of us “returning to normal” any longer. In a recent study by Pew Research, 82 percent of Americans say that by 2050, robots or computers will be performing most of the work currently done by humans. The same study also indicated that 76 percent of Americans, think automation will have a more negative effects than positive as these solutions continue to be further implemented. Why is that?
The truth is that automation will eliminate some jobs, but the overall goal is to redeploy those workers in positions that are safer, less repetitive, and often times more specialized or complicated than the work that automation would replace. For 2021, Industrial Machinery Digest has made the primary focus of our quarterly editions on the many different applications of automation, from integration of robotic systems, to the ever-expanding world of end-effectors that are pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished with automation. From manufacturing and fabricating operations large and small, we look forward to delivering you the latest news and information that could help take your business to the next level.
Best regards,
Nick Boliek
Editor, Industrial Machinery Digest
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Dynabrade CEO and President Hardy Hamann Retires
Dynabrade, Inc has announced the retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer Hardy Hamann. His retirement will be effective March 31, 2021.
“Over the last four decades I have been able to live The American Dream. I was privileged to work for some great companies that allowed me to live in various parts of the USA and make business friends around the world. I feel grateful for the opportunity to finish my career at Dynabrade”, states Hardy Hamann.
Mr. Hamann served as the 98th President of the Industrial Supply Manufacturers Association (now part of ISA) representing 550 North American Manufacturers in 2002-03. The next President of Dynabrade will be announced at a later date.
For over 50 years, Dynabrade has earned a reputation and position of continued leadership in the innovative design and manufacturing of unique portable abrasive power tools for grinding, deburring, filing and sanding. The company supplies high quality power tools to customers through a worldwide network of professional distributors.
Teradyne, Inc. has announced that Kim Povlsen has been appointed President of Universal Robots. Povlsen, a Danish native, brings global executive leadership from a high-tech and commercial perspective and will lead Universal Robots’ next stage of growth and innovation. His appointment reinforces Teradyne´s commitment to Universal Robots’ Danish origin and its role in further developing the local robotics community. Kim begins his new role at Universal Robots on March 1, 2021.
“I am delighted to introduce Kim Povlsen as the new President of Universal Robots,” said Greg Smith, President of Teradyne’s Industrial Automation Group, and acting President of Universal Robots. “Kim combines a fantastic track record as a dynamic executive with a background in and a tremendous passion for robotics. With Kim on board, Universal Robots is poised to strengthen its leadership in the global market for collaborative robotics. With Kim’s leadership, we can accelerate the growth in new applications and market growth for cobots. Universal Robots was one of the original companies at the core of the Odense innovation hub for robotics, and our global customers recognize the innovation and quality of that Danish heritage. I’m thrilled to have a Danish executive who can build on our achievements and support the further development of our robotics hub and headquarters in Odense.”
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www.IndustrialMachineryDigest.com FANUC and Rockwell Automation Form Coalition to Quickly Address Manufacturing Skills Gap with Robotics and Automation Apprenticeship Programs
The coalition includes APT, a FANUC and Rockwell Automation systems integrator, and NOCTI Business Solutions, which provides independent assessments of occupational standards and validation using recognized International Organization for Standardization (ISO) process validation methods. Franklin Apprenticeships is also a key partner of the coalition, ensuring apprenticeship support structure and success enablers for employers and apprentices.
The coalition has developed new apprenticeship programs offering people opportunities to gain credentials that include fundamental robotics (Robot Operator) and automation (PLC Operator). The program offers a second level of credentials for Robot and PLC Technicians. A third credentialing level called Integration Specialist builds on the fundamental and technical skills that teaches people to operate and troubleshoot integrated FANUC-Rockwell Automation technologies. All of the new apprenticeship offerings will provide more people with fulfilling careers and help companies to bridge the demand for skilled workers.
Siemens and EOS North America Partner to Improve AM Efficiency and Profitability
Siemens Digital Industries Software and EOS North America announced today an expansion of their partnership, which can help improve efficiency and profitability and increase the adoption of industrialized additive manufacturing. Through this agreement, EOS North America, the leading technology provider for industrial 3D printing of metal and polymer, will be able to resell Siemens’ software solutions for Additive Manufacturing (AM) with its machines. This can provide customers with build preparation and build optimization, as well as connectivity to critical upstream design and downstream production processes.
“The ability to offer our customers a combination of Siemens’ AM software with EOS machines is an important step toward industrializing additive manufacturing for larger-scale production,” said Andrew Snow, senior vice president of EOS North America. “We want to ensure that our customers can be as successful printing their first part today as they will their ten-thousandth part tomorrow, which means our machines must go beyond build preparation to connect to the entire end-to-end AM process. This new agreement with Siemens will help accomplish this and we’re excited to partner with Siemens as a reseller of their AM solutions.
CUT IT ON A COSEN
Women in Manufacturing Association Seeks Knowledge Experts to Present at its 2021 SUMMIT
The Women in Manufacturing® Association (WiM) invites industry professionals to submit speaking proposals for the 2021 SUMMIT to be held on October 4-6, 2021. The 2021 SUMMIT will be a hybrid conference, with both a virtual experience and in-person sessions at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown in Cleveland, OH, to ensure that the entire community can participate. The Women in Manufacturing SUMMIT is the highlight of WiM’s busy calendar of year-round programming dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in the manufacturing sector. The WiM SUMMIT brings together manufacturers of all types and welcomes individuals from every job function. The event features exclusive tours of leading manufacturing facilities, professional development sessions, roundtable discussions and inspiring keynote presentations, as well as social and networking events. More than 700 attendees are expected to participate this year. WiM seeks presenters who share cutting-edge ideas, inspire enlightening discussions, and offer the latest innovative concepts and trends that are changing how we work in manufacturing. Proposals are encouraged on presentation topics related to professional development, personal development, technical innovations, manufacturing business trends, strategic leadership, and diversity, equity and inclusion. Those interested in being considered to speak at the 2021 SUMMIT must complete the online application form by April 16, 2021.
Phillips Corporation boosts its strong additive manufacturing portfolio with the addition of the Markforged Digital Forge
Phillips Corporation, a leading solutions provider of subtractive and additive (3D Printing) manufacturing technology products and services to both commercial and federal government markets, and Markforged, creator of The Digital Forge, an integrated metal and carbon fiber industrial 3D printing platform, announced that Phillips Corporation will distribute Markforged’s artificial intelligence (AI)-powered and intuitive additive manufacturing platform. The addition of the Markforged platform strengthens Phillips’ robust portfolio of additive technology products that includes metal and polymer powder beds, cold spray and direct energy deposition. The Digital Forge seamlessly combines precise and reliable 3D printers and both metal and composite proprietary materials with cloud-based learning software to empower manufacturers to create more resilient and agile supply chains. The platform creates strong end-use parts directly at the point-of-need and gets smarter after each print delivering cost and time savings for manufacturers when compared to traditional solutions. Markforged’s portfolio of industrial-grade 3D printing materials include a wide variety of metals, composites and continuous fiber materials.
SKF Announces Fal Dieso and Amy Sliwinski to Serve in Key Leadership Roles
SKF, a global supplier of bearings, seals, lubricants, linear motion components, and condition monitoring systems, announced today the hiring and promotion of two key additions to the executive leadership team of SKF USA, its U.S. subsidiary. Fal Dieso joins SKF as vice president of marketing in North America, and Amy Sliwinski has been promoted to vice president of human resources for SKF in North America. Ms. Dieso will lead the planning, development and execution of all SKF strategic marketing initiatives in North America, including demand generation, product marketing, brand and corporate communications. She will also serve as the North America executive sponsor for Women of Influence, SKF’s employee resource group focused on mentoring and targeted professional development for women at all levels within the company.
Prior to joining SKF, Dieso served in concurrent marketing leadership roles for industrial electronics and automation technology distributors RS Components and Allied Electronics & Automation. She also previously led digital marketing strategy, campaign planning and execution, as well as sales enablement, social media, public relations and channel marketing efforts in senior marketing positions at Ricoh USA, TE Connectivity, Princeton Power Systems and Nokia.
“As a marketer, this is a phenomenal opportunity to help shape the future of a storied global brand,” said Dieso. “I can’t wait to explore new opportunities to creatively engage our audiences, tell the SKF engineering story in North America and work alongside our channel partners and distributors to build an industry-leading experience for our customers.”
Ms. Sliwinski will lead human resources for SKF North America and become a member of the company’s executive leadership team, where she will lead implementation of the company’s new initiative, a values-driven “11 Behaviors,” organizational culture program. Most recently, she served as the vice president of recruiting and talent management for SKF USA. Prior to joining SKF, Sliwinski held a long tenured career at Santander as director of human resources strategy, leading learning and development, talent management and change management initiatives for the company in the United States.
Global Shop Solutions Celebrates 45 Years of Simplifying Your Manufacturing
Global Shop Solutions, a leading developer of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year. Founded in 1976 by Dick Alexander, the family-owned business has grown from a small software developer to a global enterprise with five separate divisions in the U.S, Mexico, U.K, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand. A recognized industry leader, Global Shop Solutions currently serves thousands of discrete manufacturers in more than 25 countries and is known worldwide for making their ERP software customers’ most valuable asset. The company credits this outcome to product quality, customer service, and family-business values.
“I want to salute my father, who founded this company 45 years ago and still comes into work every day,” says Dusty Alexander, President and CEO of Global Shop Solutions. “He built this company by listening to our customers, developing the software based on their needs, creating a work environment where employees can grow and thrive, and delivering the highest level of customer service. Forty-five years later, these fundamental values continue to guide the business in everything we do.”
