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Executive Hotline - Industry NewsSurprise AZ. Brentwood Industries Deal Could Bring 40 Jobs The Surprise City Council is expected to approve a development agreement that could bring manufacturing jobs to the city. The council will consider an agreement with Pennsylvania-based Brentwood Industries. If approved, the company will build 125,000-square-feet of manufacturing and assembly space. That would create 40 full-time jobs. The city expects to waive approximately $80,000 in plan review and building permit fees in order to facilitate Brentwood’s selection of Surprise as its business site. Brentwood would manufacture filter media and plastic medical packaging at two facilities inside the Southwest Railplex. The property is located northeast of Litchfield Road and Peoria Avenue. Phase II would feature a 75,000-square-foot facility for the manufacture or assembly of packaging for medical devices. The facility would be open within 60 months of the effective date, according to the draft agreement. Solexant to Build Solar Plant in Oregon Solexant Corp. executives announced the company’s plan to build a solar module factory in Gresham, Ore., east of Portland. News of San Jose-based Solexant’s plans first emerged in late May when its request for a $25 million loan came before the Oregon Department of Energy. The location of its planned manufacturing plant, however, remained a question. Volkswagen Electronics ReSearch Lab Expanding, Hiring, in Bay Area Volkswagen of America is expanding its Bay Area research lab -- where researchers "design the cars of the future" -- with plans to move from Palo Alto to a larger, 157,000-square-foot office building in Belmont, and hire 25 or more engineers, reports the San Mateo County Times. Boeing Announces More than $10 Billion in Orders Boeing Co. announced more than $10 billion in new plane orders, including orders for 30 777-300 extended range planes from Emirates Airlines, 40 737-800s from GE Capital Aviation Services and Norwegian Air Shuttle exercising purchasing rights for 15 737-800s. Boeing said the Emirates order, worth between $7.7 billion and $8.6 billion at list prices, included 18 of the Everett-built 777s that were previously attributed to an unidentified customer on its website. Dubai-based Emirates already flies 86 777s and has another 16 on order. The 737 order from GE Capital Aviation Services, is valued at about $3 billion at list prices. Boeing builds its 737s in Renton. The 737 order from low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle is valued at $1.15 billion at average list prices. The Norwegian airline is exercising purchase rights from a 2007 order for 42 737s. Raytheon Gets $368 Million Navy Contract in Tuscon, Arizona Raytheon Co. received a $368 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce the Standard Missile-6 for three years. The extended-range, anti-aircraft missiles will begin delivery in early 2011. Raytheon whose missile division is based in Tucson, also will handle parts and system design engineering under the contract. Boeing Says Bigger 787 Final DeSign Done Boeing Co. said it’s done with final designs of its new 787-9, a bigger version of the 787 it’s currently assembling in Everett. The aerospace giant said the first 787-9, which seats up to 290 people and has a range of up to 8,500 miles, will be delivered in late 2013. “Firm configuration means the airplane’s structural, propulsion and systems architectures are defined and not changing,” said Mark Jenks, vice president of 787-9 development, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a statement. Boeing said it collaborated with airline customers and others to determine the “opti Air China Buying 20 Boeing 737-800s Air China said it will buy 20 Boeing Co. 737-800 airplanes that the Chinese airline expects to receive between 2013 and 2015. In a statement, Air China said the deal is worth about $1.4 billion but added that “Boeing has granted ... significant price concessions” for the Renton (WA) -built airplanes. CoorsTek to Buy Advanced-Ceramics Business of Saint-Gobain CoorsTek Inc., which makes technical ceramic and specialty material components, said it has agreed to buy the advanced-ceramics business of France's Saint-Gobain SA. The deal is valued at $245 million. Under the agreement, Golden Colorado based CoorsTek said it will acquire certain business properties held by Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials, including advanced-ceramic facilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Saint-Gobain's advanced-ceramics business reportedly employs some 1,100 workers at 14 sites and posted 2009 sales of $165 million. One of its ceramics plants is at 1225 Aeroplaza Drive in Colorado Springs. CoorsTek -- a descendant of a business that was spun off by the Adolph Coors Co. in the early 1990s -- was taken private by a Coors family trust in 2003. Vestas’ Colorado Plants Will Get Work From Canada Order Vestas Wind Systems said it’s received an order for 79 wind turbines, capable of generating 142 megawatts of power, from Capital Power Corp. for a wind farm in British Columbia, Canada, and the turbine maker’s Colorado plants will be involved in filling the order. Capital Power, a power company based in Edmonton, Alberta, ordered 44 V100-1.8 megawatt turbines and another 35 V90-1.8 megawatt turbines for the proposed Quality Wind Project, Vestas said. The turbines will be delivered in 2012 and the order includes a 10-year service and maintenance agreement, the wind turbine manufacturer said. Vestas’ manufacturing plants in Colorado — its blade plant in Windsor, a nacelles plant in Brighton, and a towers plant in Pueblo — will get work from the order, said Vestas spokeswoman Aili Jokela via email. Schilling Takes Orders for New Deep-Sea Robot Schilling Robotics LLC in Davis, CA, has developed a new, more compact remotely operated deep-sea vehicle for use by the inspection, maintenance, and repair industries as well as drill support and medium-duty construction markets. Schilling, which makes deep-ocean robots used for science, technology and industry, has sold two of its new HD Remotely Operated Vehicle systems to a customer for delivery in August, a news release said. Tesla Projects Vans, SUVs to Follow Sedan Tesla Motors showed plans for a van, cabriolet and SUV that may be built on the same frame as the Model S sedan it expects to roll out in 2012. Tesla Motors Inc. has shown potential investors "freaking bad ass" plans for electric SUVs, cabriolets and vans to follow its planned sedan. Unlike the company's only existing electric car that it has actually delivered, the Roadster, the sedan and other models shown in the road show would be completely built by Tesla. The sports car body and frame is now produced by Lotus, whose British factory is closing for renovations before Tesla can produce its sedan, causing a gap during which the company will be delivering no cars. Sunbelt-Turret Steel, Inc. opens California Service Center Sunbelt-Turret Steel, Inc is a distributor of special bar quality carbon and alloy hot rolled and forged rough turned bar stock in sizes up to 28” diameter. The facility has high-production, close tolerance saws providing unlimited cutting capacity for one off pieces or thousands of cut to length blanks. Centrally located in Dos Palos, this new 100,000sq ft facility has brought a familiar name to the local manufacturing community. A regional sales office for the Pacific Northwest was also opened in Portland, Oregon. Raytheon Receives $97M Contract for Air Decoys Raytheon Co. received a third contract from the U.S. Air Force for production of miniature air-launched decoys. The work is valued at $96.7 million and will be based out of the company’s Tucson, AZ. missile unit. The decoy flight vehicles weigh less than 300 pounds and has a range of 575 miles. Solexant Plans Massive Oregon Solar Plant Solexant Corp.’s loan request will be reviewed by an advisory committee to the Oregon Department of Energy’s state Energy Loan Program. If approved, it would be the largest loan in the program's roughly 30-year history. The company plans to build the plant in stages. The first phase would have about 100 megawatts of module manufacturing capacity per year. When the company first applied for the loan in November it listed an address in Fairview at 3256 N.E. 230th Ave. in which it would occupy an initial 126,000-square-foot building. A news release from the state said the company is considering sites near Gresham, which could include Fairview, and near Wilsonville. Privately held Solexant is a four-year-old, venture-backed developer of what it refers to as “ultra-thin-film solar cells." The company has raised $22.5 million in two investment rounds, according to the Gartner report, but remains in what it called “semi-stealth” mode and hasn’t provided details of its manufacturing process of module performance. Tesla to Buy NUMMI Plant, Build Cars With Toyota Toyota is investing $50 million in Tesla and the partnership will produce 1,000 new jobs in the short term. Telsa President Elon Musk said over the long-term he thinks the partnership will create 10,000 jobs. The deal was announced a much-anticipated news conference at Tesla's Palo Alto headquarters. Musk said the state is providing a sales tax abatement of about 10 percent on capital equipment purchasing — or somewhere around $20 million over the next couple years. Tesla will produce its Model S sedan in 2012 at NUMMI and hopes to ramp to 20,000 vehicles within 12 months. But Tesla plans to produce many different types of vehicles using its drive train technology. Boeing Signs 20-year Lease At Renton Airport In Washington Boeing Co. has signed a 20-year lease agreement at Renton Municipal Airport, a symbol of commitment to the 737 amid recent rumors the company may be developing a new jet. The aerospace giant and city officials said the deal includes two 10-year options. Boeing management has been moving toward decisions about whether it will re-engine the current 737 with more efficient engines to compete against new competing aircraft from Embraer and Bombardier, or build an entirely new narrow body aircraft. While most analysts have expected Boeing to re-engine the 737 as an interim step, on the grounds that even 787 technologies don’t seem to offer enough efficiency gains over the current 737 designs to warrant the cost and risk, at least one analyst recently suggested Boeing may be “leaning” toward a new design. Boeing is the largest manufacturing employer in Renton, accounting for about 12,000 jobs, or 30 percent of the city’s total, 9,000 of them at the 737 plant, according to a December 2009 story about the airport and Boeing. Robotics Company Curexo Raises $13.2M The Fremont, CA. company, which makes a surgical robotic system for total joint replacements, also said its technology has received FDA clearance for orthopedic surgery. Boeing Starts Production Line For A160 in Mesa, AZ Boeing Inc. has started production of a new aircraft, the A160T remote-piloted helicopter, at its Mesa facility. Work has started on one of the five test planes and while the company awaits orders for the multi-use aircraft. “We have plans to build more in the future,” said Tony Ham, Mesa site leader and operations director for Boeing. The project has about 40 employees pulled from Mesa’s Apache line and other Boeing facilities to work on the A160. Boeing plans to sell the aircraft only in the U.S. and expects to gear up production and hiring once the orders come in, but that may still be months away, Ham said. Seattle-Area Industrial Outlook Improves a Tad The Seattle area’s industrial real estate market showed a bit of an improvement in the first quarter compared with the last quarter of 2009, according to a real estate firm. According to the Seattle office of Jones Lang LaSalle, there were only about 113,000 square feet of industrial space available at the end of the first quarter of 2010, compared with more than 208,000 sq Ft available at the end of the fourth quarter 2009. Rolls-Royce Oakland Facility Wins $6.2M Navy Contract Rolls-Royce Engine Services-Oakland, the repair and overhaul facility of the British engine maker’s aerospace defense unit, won a modified $6.2 million Navy engine repair contract. ReVolt Gets $5M, Could Build Portland Factory Swiss battery-maker ReVolt Technology LLC received a $5 million federal stimulus grant which the company will use to move forward on its plans for a Portland manufacturing and research center. Amkor Technology Sees Revenue Skyrocket Amkor Technology Inc. saw first-quarter revenue increase by 66 percent and posted net income of $44 million, easily besting last year’s numbers. Chandler-based Amkor posted net income at 24 cents per share for the quarter, compared to a loss of about 12 cents for the same time last year when the semiconductor industry was being hammered by lack of demand. The company, which makes semiconductor assembly machines and offers testing services benefited from growing demand as manufacturers geared up in computers, telecommunications and consumer electronics, officials said. Vestas Restarts Production at Windsor Plant, Lands Big Order The Vestas Americas wind turbine blade plant in Windsor, CO. has restarted production after work halted earlier this year due to the global recession, a company spokesman said. And the Danish parent company -- Vestas Wind Systems A/S, announced it has signed the largest single order in company history. Vestas said it had signed a "Master Supply Agreement" to build, deliver and maintain wind turbines capable of producing up to 1,500 megawatts of power in 2011 and 2012. The order includes an option for expansion to another 600 megawatts that can be exercized in 2010 and 2011, Vestas said. Orion Spacecraft Still a Go Speaking at NASA’s space launch center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., President Obama said the Orion spacecraft being built by Littleton, CO.-based Lockheed Martin Space Systems will become a U.S. rescue vehicle for the International Space Station (ISS). Orion’s technologies will likely be involved as the U.S. sends astronauts deeper into space. “We will build on the good work already done on the Orion vehicle,” Obama said. The news means hundreds of Lockheed Martin Space Systems employees and subcontractors will continue working on the $8.2 billion capsule, despite NASA planning to cancel the Constellation manned-space program. Orion was part of the Constellation program. Aerojet Gets $50M NASA Contract Aerojet is a subsidiary of Rancho Cordova, CA. based GenCorp The space propulsion systems to be developed and delivered include cryogenic and electric propulsion for spacecraft. Arizona Solar Company Sets Lp Manufacturing in Santa Clara Arizona-based First Solar Inc., a publicly traded maker of thin-film solar modules, is expanding its Bay Area presence by opening a manufacturing and research facility in Santa Clara, according to public records. The company has submitted plans with the city of Santa Clara to renovate 110,025 square feet for office and a manufacturing facility, as well as an equipment yard, at 1025 and 1035 Walsh Ave. Boeing Ramps up 777, 747 Production Boeing Co. said it will speed up production of its Everett-built 777s and 747s, citing “increasing customer demand in the recovering airplane market.” Boeing said it will accelerate the 777’s production rate to seven planes per month from the current five and increase 747 production to two planes per month from the current 1.5. TriQuint Plans $60M in Capital Spending, Eyes Strong 2010 TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. entered 2009 much like every other high-tech manufacturer — with uncertainty. It ended the year on a major growth spurt. Now, the Hillsboro,Oregon based chip-maker is planning $60 million in capital spending this year. Of that, $20 million will be directed at the company’s Hillsboro fab for new manufacturing equipment and a gas handling facility for additional cleanroom space. Arizona Structure Technologies Scores Three Contracts Arizona Structure Technologies has landed three out-of-state contracts totaling $140,000. The Phoenix-based company, which specializes in steel structures such as pedestrian bridges, received an $85,000 contract to provide steel to Steel Placement LLC of Phoenix for a project in Fort Riley, Kan. The company also has received a contract from Structures Inc. from Englewood, Colo.That project was for $32,000. The final contract, for $23,600, was with Salls Brothers Construction Inc. of Albuquerque. Lockheed Wins $36.8M Apache Contract in Arizona Lockheed Martin has won a three-year, $36.8 million U.S. Army contract for work at its Arizona Support Center in Gilbert on advanced targeting and piloting systems used on AH-64 Apache helicopters. Specifically the contract calls for Lockheed personnel to provide support, such as refurbishing and modification, for the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor and Modernized TADS/PNVS systems. Boeing Tanker Deal Worth 12K Washington State Jobs If Boeing Co. gets the contract to build the U.S. Air Force’s new tanker refueling aircraft, it will create up to 71,000 jobs in the U.S., including some 12,000 new jobs in Washington state, according to U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell. The Democratic senator from Washington cited a report by Sonecon LLC, which said that if Boeing develops and produces the tanker, it should lead to the creation of up to 70,706 U.S. jobs over the life of the contract. Cantwell said she’s been assured by management of Boeing that the “bulk” of the tanker work would be done in Washington state. Boeing Develops Phantom Eye Surveillance Aircraft Boeing is working to broaden the offerings of its Unmanned Airborne Systems division through development of a surveillance aircraft — powered by a hydrogen-fueled Ford compact truck engine — that will be able to loiter at high altitudes for up to four days. The Phantom Eye prototype, now being assembled by Boeing Phantom Works in St. Louis in collaboration with the Kent, Washington-based Unmanned Airborne Systems unit, is to fly in early 2011, said Phantom Works spokesman Chris Haddox. The project is internally funded, and is part of an effort by Boeing to catch up in the unmanned aircraft market, currently dominated by Northrop Grumman and General Atomics. The demonstrator will have a 150-foot wingspan, and will carry a payload of as much as 450 pounds up to 65,000 feet in altitude. Boeing Plans Oregon Expansion Boeing Co. plans to pump at least $100 million into its Gresham, Ore., plant in the next three years, creating up to 152 new jobs. The Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer has filed an application to receive the benefits of an existing enterprise zone; the company could receive up to 15 years of property tax deferrals on some investments. Boeing Portland already employs more than 1,500 people in Gresham. The majority of the investment will fund a 60,000-square-foot expansion of a chemical processing plant. Boeing uses the suburban Portland plant as a milling operation. Workers there are responsible for critical machined metal components used in the company’s commercial aircraft, including the new 787 Dreamliner. Work includes making gear boxes, engine mounts, carriages and flight control systems. Blended Winglet Boast: 2 Billion Gallons of Fuel Saved The makers of the blended winglets you see at the tips of some airplanes are boasting that the world’s airlines have saved 2 billion gallons of jet fuel by using their product. Seattle-based Aviation Partners Boeing, which is a joint venture between Boeing Co. (and Aviation Partners Inc., of Seattle, said the winglets are now used on more than 3,700 airplanes and 21 types of planes. Company officials said they’re adding winglets to planes at the rate of more than 400 planes per year. The winglets are installed on new planes and are also retrofitted onto existing planes. Benchmade Knife Goes Out on the Cutting Edge Military troops deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan are issued a spartan cache of equipment. But many receive a utility knife -- a large number of which have been produced by an Oregon City-based manufacturer. Orders to fulfill demand from U.S. military and law enforcement agencies amounted to almost half of Benchmade's 2004 production, leading the company to record revenue. Government sales, however, have sharply since 2005, but that doesn't worry Benchmade officials. "We lost the amount we anticipated losing from government sales. But nongovernment business is up almost 100 percent year-to-date," said Greg Mooney, Benchmade marketing and sales vice president. Eighteen-year-old Benchmade Knife is owned by founder Les De Asis. The company makes about 50 different styles of knives. Since January 2004, the company has boosted its employment roughly 30 percent, to 178. The company's knives are made in the Oregon City manufacturing facility, in the shops of metro-area contractors and from suppliers across the United States. " At the same time, the company is looking for ways to boost production here. "Our goal is to make the best use of our assets here and not to have to shift [production] somewhere else in the world," he said. New Manufacturing School Aims to Combat Worker Shortage Hoping to build a steady supply of skilled recruits, several Oregon manufacturers are backing a new charter high school. The Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences opens next fall on the campus of Oregon City High School. The four-year school has space for 50 freshmen and 50 sophomores from across the region. It is sponsored by the Oregon City School District and Clackamas Community College, but is administered by several large manufacturers: ESCO Corp., Benchmade Knife Co. Inc., Oregon Iron Works, Miles Fiberglass & Composites Inc., and Pioneer Pump Inc., among others. “We want the work force of the future,” said Rick Murphy, Benchmade’s director of finance and a board member of the new charter school. “For us, it’s imperative we get students, workers, as young as possible to get thinking about what we want to do.” The Oregon Manufacturing Workforce Strategy says the state needs 53,000 skilled workers in the next 10 years. Most of those will replace retiring baby boomers. Manufacturing employs more than 200,000 workers across Oregon. Kyocera Solar Chooses San Diego For First US Plant Kyocera Solar has decided to locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in San Diego. The Scottsdale-based division of the electronics manufacturing company announced plans for the move as it attempts to move toward global production of 1 gigawatt a year. The company expects manufacturing to begin at its Balboa Avenue facility by the middle of this year. The 30-megawatt plant will cater to large-scale solar implementation. Hurco Direct Continues to Expand in Southern CA. Hurco Companies, Inc. selected Randy Flores to lead the company’s direct sales initiative in Southern California. As the owner of D&R Machinery in Arizona, Flores has represented Hurco for 10 years and has accumulated 20 years of industry experience. Flores recently hired two sales engineers, Paul Parducci and Dennis Thackery, who will help Flores reintroduce the value of Hurco technology to machine shops throughout Southern California. Hurco has significantly expanded its product line in the last five years with significant research and development resources devoted to 5-axis and multi-tasking technology. Hurco continues to develop software features that advance the capabilities of job shops. Hurco opened the Southern California Technology Center and Showroom in March of 2009 and immediately assumed direct responsibility of sales, service, and application support throughout the region. Scott Anthony is National Sales Manager at Rem Sales Rem Sales, exclusive North American importer of Tsugami Swiss-type automatic lathes, has appointed Scott Anthony as national sales manager. Bradley Morris, president of Morris Group, Inc., made the announcement recently at a company meeting. Morris Group is the parent corporation of Rem Sales. “Scott has over 20 years experience in technical sales and marketing management,” said Mr. Morris. “He has a thorough understanding of the selling process through a national distribution network, and with a strong emphasis on customer care. We are pleased to have him on board to manage our Tsugami line.” Scott Anthony held various sales and sales management positions at Gerber Scientific, Naiad Marine, and Magnatech LLC, all manufacturers of motion control systems. Metris USA Changes Its Name to Nikon Metrology. Following the announcement in late October of Metris becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, the corporate name of Metris USA has now changed to Nikon Metrology, Inc. Under the Nikon brand, Nikon and Metris will synergize their respective strengths with regard to a strong brand and cutting-edge technology, and together will offer products that feature innovative technology and a broad range of functions. Nikon Metrology, Inc. uniquely blends Metris’ innovation leadership in metrology with the globally recognized Nikon brand. “We are delighted to be able to join forces under the flag of the powerful Nikon brand”, states Myles Richard, managing director of Nikon Metrology, Inc. “Together, we will grow our leadership position as an optical metrology innovator, leveraging the strengths of our highly skilled technology teams. By continuing to pursue product development, Nikon Metrology, Inc. will enhance its superior technological position, and provide its customers and business partners with strong, well-balanced, sales and service organizations.” Marubeni Citizen-Cincom Inc. and Hartwig, Inc. Announce Strategic Partnership Hartwig, Inc. of St. Louis, MO, the largest distributor of CNC machine tools in the central and mountain United States, and Marubeni Citizen-Cincom, Inc. a supplier of Swiss-type turning centers, signed an agreement to form a strategic partnership taking effect January 1, 2010. The six states in the mountain region including Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho will become authorized distributors of Citizen’s Swiss product lineup for the Hartwig organization. The Mountain Region will join Hartwig’s current territory representation for the Citizen line in the states of Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Achieve ISO 9001:2008 and EN/JISQ/AS9100: 2004 Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Corporation recently announce they achieved ISO 9001:2008 and EN/JISQ/AS9100: 2004 certification. Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Corp. has continued to grow on all fronts: technology, personnel, equipment, processes, manufacturing space, production volume and has now achieved the ISO 9001:2008 certification. Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Corp. has demonstrated its commitment to quality and the manufacturing of products for its U.S. manufacturing operations by achieving this goal. In accepting the registration certificate, David Nilsen, director of quality assurance for Accurate Grinding & Manufacturing Corp. “The achievement of ISO 9001:2008 reflects our continuous effort and commitment to achieve superior product quality and reliability for our current customer base and new client prospects.” Jim
King to be Sr. Vice President of Sales for Okuma Jim King has joined Okuma America Corporation as thesenior vice president of sales. Mr. King will be responsible for leading the Okuma sales team and spearheading the relationships with the Okuma distributors in North and South America. He brings to Okuma nearly 30 years of experience working in industrial markets, including automation and control software. Mr. King comes to Okuma from Siemens Energy and automation where he served as the director of strategic channel development. While at Siemens, he was successful at bringing discipline and structure to the distributor network, resulting in significant sales increases. Methods
Announces Installation of Three Kiwa HMC’s in ArizonaMethods Machine Tools Inc., announced that they recently delivered and installed three Kiwa-Japan KH-41 horizontal machining centers at the Prescott, Arizona Manufacturing Facility for Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. Each of the Kiwa systems includes a 40-tool ATC and a full 4th axis. Sturm, Ruger & Company is using the Kiwa machining centers to machine the slide for their Ruger® SR-9® striker-fired pistols. “The new Kiwa HMCs replaced older twin spindle VMCs,” says Mr. Mike Scoggins, chief manufacturing engineer at Sturm, Ruger & Company. “We have received multiple benefits since putting the HMCs in production including the ability to combine operations, improve part quality, reduce cycle time by 20% and minimize part changeover time from 1 day to under 5 minutes.” Mark Lang, group vice president at Sturm, Ruger & Company, added, “Due to the compact size of the Kiwa KH-41, we have been able to increase our manufacturing efficiency by allowing us to have one operator run three machines because the distance the operator has to walk between machines is minimal, as well as this equipment supports our Lean Manufacturing initiatives.” The KH-41 has a simple, compact, efficient design that’s only 60.2” wide. Despite its small size it can handle a wide variety of work pieces, providing an ideal entry-level factory automation solution. The high performance KH-41 has a full rotary B-axis and can be installed in the same space as a vertical machine. With a 400mm pallet machine, this HMC can accommodate large work pieces up to 21.7” x 33.5”. NTMA Sets Date for Irvine, CA Purchasing Fair The National Tooling & Machining Association has announced it has selected two sites for Contract Purchasing Fairs for 2010. The fairs will be co-sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA). For the first time a theme has been chosen for the fairs: “Bringing Work Back to the U.S.A.” The organizers will put heavy emphasis on attracting customers that have sent work to other countries, in hopes of convincing them to attend the fairs and meet U.S. metalworking vendors that can make their products back in the U.S.A. These fairs are part of a bigger picture that the NTMA and PMA are working on through their One Voice Legislative Advocacy Coalition to get the federal government to lower government mandated costs that hurt U.S. companies’ ability to compete. The overall goal is to help U.S. companies compete in a global market and help U.S. manufacturers increase their sourcing of work in the U.S. U.S. companies that have capabilities in all kinds of metalworking sectors and looking for potential new customers should take a serious look at attending one of the events. U.S. companies with a need to find U.S. metalworking vendors should also investigate attending. More information on the fairs will be released later but the sites for the fair is: May 12, 2010, Hyatt Regency Hotel Irvine California. Omax
Names Arnie Ruiz Regional Sales ManagerOmax recently introduced Arnie Ruiz, their new regional sales manager for Louisiana and southern Texas. Arnie comes with 20 years of experience as a Class A journeyman in the tool and die industry. Throughout his career, he developed and built automated systems and robotics for machinery processes and trained operators on how to use various equipment. He was a tooling and automation supervisor for Steelcase, an international office furniture manufacturer. For 15 years, he worked for an Omax distributor in southern California and was responsible for activities ranging from application to installation to sales. Okuma
Technology Institute Opens at Utah’s Davis Applied Technology College
Okuma America Corporation, Hartwig, Inc. and Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) formally opened the new Okuma Technology Institute with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a 3-day celebration of manufacturing technology. The 3-day event was attended by representatives from local businesses and manufacturing facilities from 8 states. The event kicked off with a presentation on the State of U. S. Manufacturing by Peter Borden, president of the American Machine Tool Distributor Association. Mr. Borden discussed challenges faced by manufacturers across the US and in Utah, as well as a general forecast of future manufacturing activity. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by DATC president Michael Bouwhuis who recognized Larry Schwartz, president and COO of Okuma America and Gary Hartwig, president of Hartwig, Inc. President Bouwhuis thanked them for their vision and their contributions to education and manufacturing, stating that, “In my career, this is the most exciting partnership we’ve ever created.” Throughout the three days manufacturers and students were treated to machining demonstrations and seminars on productivity improvement, including lean manufacturing and automation. Representatives from members of Partners in THINC were on hand to discuss manufacturing technology and peripheral equipment including gaging, tooling, work holding and software. The Okuma Technology Institute will help educate and train DATC students to become CNC programmers and machinists. The facility also serves as a showroom for Hartwig, Inc. to demonstrate Okuma technology. California Gubernatorial Candidate Poizner Addresses LA/NTMA at TCI Precision Metals TCI Precision Metals (TCI), announced that TCI hosted over 130 members and friends of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (LA/NTMA) . The attendees heard California gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner speak about the crucial need to cut personal and business taxes to improve and maintain a healthy economy, as well as job creation and quality of life. With the economy showing few signs of improvement and the threat of more and higher taxes, the message resonated well with members. “The way to job creation and improving government health is through cutting both business and personal taxes, which will increase demand, allowing businesses to grow and increase employment,” Steve Poizner says. “The 10-10-10 plan we’ve designed will improve the business climate and put the state back on a solid footing.” “The manufacturing sector has always been key to creating prosperity and higher living standards,” says John Belzer, president, TCI Precision Metals. “Small to mid-size companies are the most responsible for job creation, growing the economy, generating wealth, paying taxes and inventing the future. California is at a critical juncture and must work toward improving manufacturing’s ability to compete and prevent the loss of jobs to other states and countries.” Methods
Holds Multitasking Machining SeminarsMethods Machine Tools Inc., held two Multitasking Machining Seminars on December 16, 2009 at their Sudbury, Massachusetts Technology Center. The complimentary seminars showcased new multitasking strategies for machining precision parts and were well received by over 100 manufacturing professionals. The first seminar featured the Nakamura Super NTMX . Attendees learned how the NTMX’s unique twin ATC design makes it easy for all levels of operators to take advantage of the latest in B-axis machining technology. At the second seminar, named The Tools You Need to Succeed, participants viewed live machining demonstrations and learned how to reduce setup time by 50% or more on their current multitasking machines. Attendees were also able to review their own prints and parts with Methods’ applications experts. In addition to the seminars, attendees were able to view demonstrations on Nakamura’s latest turning centers, including 3-turret, 3-Y axis machining on the new Super NTY3-Jumbo, high speed thread whirling on the Super NTY3 and quick-change tooling demonstrations on the WT-100. Utah Distributor Celebrates 50 Years in Machine Tool Industry Mazak Corporation congratulates Smith Machinery Co., Inc. as it celebrates 50 years of business in the machine tool industry. Founded by Edward and Tracy Smith in 1960, the Salt Lake City company has been the exclusive distributor of Mazak machine tools in Utah, Montana, western Wyoming and Idaho (excluding the panhandle) since 1977. The Smith family has served the manufacturing industry in the mountain states for four generations. Its long history in the region has allowed it to develop a customer first philosophy where focus is placed not on sales but on providing total manufacturing solutions. In addition to installing, integrating and servicing advanced machine tools, the company also provides on-site personnel training and applications support. “The secret to Smith Machinery’s continued success over the last 50 years is its commitment to the customer,” says Brian Papke, president, Mazak Corporation. “By placing an emphasis on establishing strong partnerships with manufacturers and job shops, Smith Machinery is able to provide the expertise and equipment that customers need to increase profitability and expand operations.” Smith Machinery’s focus on the aerospace (commercial and defense), energy and medical industries has helped it develop a strong understanding of the complexities behind multitasking technology, 5-axis machining applications and Palletech, Mazak’s pre-engineered automation system. It has used this knowledge to increase the capabilities of its customer base. Hardinge Appoints New Distributors in the US Hardinge Inc. has announced an alliance with three US distributors: Gosiger, Inc., Hartwig, Inc. and Morris Group, Inc. These three groups will have exclusive sales and support responsibilities for Hardinge products in virtually all of the United States. Over a transition period of the next few months they will replace current Hardinge distributors and direct sales and service support groups. “We are honored to be working with this caliber of companies that will sell and support our products in the US market,” says Rick Simons, president and CEO of Hardinge Inc. “All three distributors bring at least 50 years of history and a team of well-trained sales, service and applications people to assist in future sales and provide service support on existing Hardinge equipment in the field. Adding our brand names take these three companies back to the roots of machine tool representation where they each began decades ago. Their reputations as capable, comprehensive, and professional organizations make for a perfect fit with Hardinge.” “Hardinge is a strong company with strong brand names of Hardinge, Bridgeport, Kellenberger, Hauser and Tschudin. We have a loyal customer base who appreciates the benefits of buying machines and accessories with our brand names. We are confident in entrusting our customer relationships to this group and are also pleased that these three top-level distribution companies have confidence in Hardinge. We believe our products complement their existing strong machine lines,” continued Mr. Simons. MCAM NorthWest Becomes Value-Added Reseller for Autodesk MCAM NorthWest Inc., a leading provider of CAD/CAM-related products, services and training, announced it is becoming an authorized value-added reseller (VAR) for Autodesk, a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. With the addition of Autodesk’s broad range of digital design software solutions—including AutoCAD software, its flagship design and documentation solution—MCAM NorthWest now is able to offer its current and potential customers a much more broad range of CAD options as a compliment to its line of Mastercam CAM products. Tim Rowley, the co-founder of MCAM NorthWest, expects the addition of Autodesk to double his company’s sales by 2012. “MCAM NorthWest is dedicated to offering our customers the very best CAD/CAM solutions and services available in the marketplace,” he says. “The addition of Autodesk’s fine array of products to our current offerings is proof of our commitment to excellence.” Earning the distinction as an Autodesk VAR means MCAM NorthWest’s staff demonstrates in-depth technical and industry knowledge and a commitment to customer service. It also has proven that it provides its customers with the world’s leading 2D and 3D digital design software solutions, as well as the highest-quality training and support. Flow International Receives Multiple Orders for Aerospace Projects Flow International Corporation a leading developer and manufacturer of industrial waterjet machines for cutting and cleaning applications, has announced receipt of approximately $11 million of orders for several new projects in its Advanced segment. These orders are for Composite Machining Center abrasive waterjet and routing machine tool systems to be completed over the next 12 to 18 months. The majority of the purchase orders are from Airbus supplier partners working on multiple Airbus programs. These new orders are in addition to the previously reported backlog of approximately $20 million, as of the second quarter ended October 31, 2009, for Flow’s Advanced segment. SME and IMTS Unveil Plans for IMTS 2010 Emerging Technology Center Showcasing the most innovative technological developments for the manufacturing industry, The International Manufacturing Technology (IMTS) Show 2010 will present the Emerging Technology Center (ETC) in partnership with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME). The ETC made its debut at IMTS 2004 and is the place where the manufacturing community gathers to view the future of manufacturing technology. The theme for the 2010 ETC is “Knowledge-Based” or applying knowledge-based management across the full spectrum, including technology, manufacturing, people, and business. Past innovations featured in the ETC include nanotechnology, now commonly used throughout the industry, as well as the 2008 debut of MTConnect®, a series of open standards that address manufacturing systems interoperability on the shop floor. “We are very excited to have SME on board as a partner,” says Peter Eelman, vice-president, exhibitions & communications for IMTS. “SME is well-known as a primary resource for independent education and dissemination of technology. We look forward to again opening the window on future technology developments that will interest all of our visitors.” Throughout IMTS 2010, the Emerging Technology Center will be located in the North Building lobby of McCormick Place. Machine Tools Supply Announces Pending Acquisition of Cutting Edge Tool & Supply Machine Tools Supply recently announced the pending acquisition of Cutting Edge Tool & Supply, of Chatsworth, California, as a wholly owned subsidiary of MT Supply Inc. Growth by MTS in the San Fernando Valley over the past year has led them to seek the best possible platform for providing the highest levels of services to this market area. “We have successfully implemented several AutoCrib based inventory management systems in the valley,” states George Ponce, president of MTS. “And with that success we knew that an acquisition of this nature would further establish us in this territory and position us for continued growth.” Since their inception only six years ago, CET has become established as a premier customer service based organization in the San Fernando Valley. Mr. Ponce also stated, “Cutting Edge Tool & Supply, as a leading industrial distributor in this market, now being enhanced with the value added services and products offered by MTS, will be a stronger business partner to their customer’s going forward.” Methods Machine Tools Appoints Phil Janiszewski As Marketing Manager Methods Machine Tools, Inc., a leading supplier of innovative precision machine tools, has appointed Mr. Phil Janiszewski as marketing manager. “We’re pleased to have Phil on board,” commented Mr. Jamie Hanson, director of corporate development at Methods Machine Tools, Inc. “He brings over thirty years of experience in the manufacturing, machine tool and tool accessories business and will be a valuable addition to our team.” Prior to joining Methods, Mr. Janiszewski spent seven years as marketing manager at Koma Precision, Inc., a supplier of rotary tables, angle heads, and live tooling. In his role there, Mr. Janiszewski managed all areas of marketing from database design, advertising, brochure / catalog design, to web site design and tradeshow layout / coordination. Before his marketing career, Mr. Janiszewski worked in outside sales for fabrication and machining services, metal stamping and injection molding equipment, EDM machinery, and high speed vertical machining centers. Applied Materials Buys Semitool for $364M Applied Materials Inc. said it has agreed to pay about $364 million in cash to buy Semitool Inc. Semitool supplies electrochemical plating and wafer surface-preparation equipment. Applied CEO Mike Splinter said the acquisition will help the company make smaller, more powerful devices. Semitool will be operated as a business unit of Applied’s Silicon Systems Group. No mention was made in the announcement about whether Semitool Chairman and CEO Ray Thompson would continue with the company. In the most recent fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Semitool posted a net loss of $11.4 million, or 35 cents per share, versus net income of $6 million, or 19 cents per share, last year. Revenue dropped 42 percent to $139 million. Applied expects to start the offer soon and projected the deal to close by the end of year. The company on Nov. 11 said it plans to cut its work force by up to 1,500 positions, and reported fourth quarter net income of $138 million, or 10 cents a share, a 40 percent drop from the previous year. Revenue dropped 25 percent to $1.53 billion in the quarter. The Semitool purchase is the second of the month for Applied after acquiring substantially all of the assets of Advent Solar Inc. for an undisclosed cash amount on Nov. 6. Albuquerque, N.M.-based Advent Solar develops technology for crystalline silicon photovoltaics. Arizona Lands Solar Manufacturing Facility Arizona received its first official announcement of a solar manufacturing plant since putting up manufacturing incentives when Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. announced it would locate a facility in the state. The plant, expected to have an initial production capacity of 30 megawatts, will begin production of the solar panels in the third quarter, Suntech officials said. "Bringing manufacturing jobs to the U.S. is part of Suntech's vision to grow the solar market in every corner of the world," said Suntech's Chairman and CEO Dr. Zhengrong Shi. "We are eagerly watching growing markets and see the potential of bringing manufacturing capabilities to other markets where we see the combination of rapid local market growth and manufacturing cost competitiveness." The plant will initially employ about 75 people with the potential to double that within the first year. Aerojet Wins NASA Contract For Lunar Lander Propulsion System Aerojet has been awarded a contract to continue developing a propulsion system for NASA for potential use on lunar landers. Aerojet is a subsidiary of GenCorp Inc, based in Rancho Cordova, California. The design work is for NASA’s Constellation Systems Program. The contract’s scope is to develop and complete the project, which is a multicircuit liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen injector. The company will design, build, test and deliver the injector. This funding for the contract is part of the Propulsion and Cryogenic Advanced Development project of NASA's Exploration Technology Development Program. “Aerojet is committed to providing innovative propulsion solutions for NASA and we are very excited to have this opportunity to work with the PCAD team on the Deep Throttling Injector,” Linda Andersen, Aerojet’s director of Space Programs, said in a news release. Tesla Gets Tax Break from California Tesla Motors Inc. and California reached a tax incentive deal that will save the electric-car company sales tax on $320 million of manufacturing equipment and help create up to 1,400 new jobs. State Treasurer Bill Lockyer announced the deal, which is also expected to save California-based Tesla nearly 10 percent of equipment purchases. A state agency will hold title of $320 million of Tesla's equipment temporarily, freeing Tesla up to build the facility for its sedan production somewhere in California. Earlier this year Tesla received approval for about $465 million in low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Energy and said it will use $365 million for production engineering and assembly of the Model S, an all-electric family sedan that carries seven people and travels up to 300 miles per charge. The Model S has an anticipated base price of $49,900 after a $7,500 federal tax credit, and Tesla said it expects to start Model S production in late 2011. Tesla also confirmed earlier that it plans to lease 350,000 square feet of property once occupied by Agilent Technologies in Stanford Research Park. The company said it will move its headquarters from San Carlos to the Palo Alto park and build a power train plant there. Wash State Taps $1.5M for AeroSpace Training Gov. Chris Gregoire announced in November that Washington state will tap $1.5 million in federal Workforce Investment Act funds to support aerospace training programs. “We know we have two fundamental challenges in keeping our competitive edge in the aerospace industry,” Gregoire said at Paine Field in Everett. “We have to recruit new workers, and we have to make sure both our current and incoming workers have cutting-edge skills. To accomplish that, we must invest in our education and training system.” Of the $1.5 million, $600,000 will go to developing aerospace centers in Snohomish County and Spokane for joint industry-college training. The rest will go toward training equipment, career guidance and other programs in the state. Todd Shipyards to Build Additional Ferry for Washington In early October Todd Shipyards Corp. was the only bidder on two 64-car ferries that the Washington State Department of Ferries Division plans to build. A week later, the state said it’s awarding a contract to Todd to build one additional ferry. On Oct. 8, the state said Seattle-based Todd bid $114 million to build two ferries; the state’s engineer’s estimate was about $110 million. The last ferry will be either a 64-car ferry or a 144-car ferry, depending on whether the state has enough money to build the larger ferry. “This contract award is expected to sustain nearly 400 family wage jobs,” said Gov. Chris Gregoire, in a statement. The state requires that the ferry construction take place in Washington, which limits the pool of bidders, but state officials said the requirement keeps jobs in Washington and trains a work force of ferry builders. Honeywell Lands $125M Army Ship Deal Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc. received a five year contract from the U.S. Army that could be worth up to $125 million for stocking the military division’s ships. The contract falls under the Army’s Prepositions Stocks 3 Afloat program, which helps ensure combat readiness. The Honeywell group, based in Phoenix, signed a similar 10-year, $700 million contract with the U.S. Marine Corps to provide preposition and logistics support. Under the terms of the contract, Honeywell will manage the ships’ inventory, as well as maintain and service equipment and supplies headed for combat, officials said. Northrop Wins $3.8B Tanker Support Deal Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a $3.8 billion contract for maintenance and support on the KC-10 refueling tankers. The current contract is held by Boeing Co., which has held the contract since 1998. Boeing also makes the KC-10. Boeing said it will review its options before filing any sort of appeal. Northrop is based in Los Angeles. Intellicheck Mobilisa Gets $4.5M Navy Contract Intellicheck Mobilisa Inc. said it’s received a $4.48 million contract from the U.S. Navy for wireless security buoys that can detect water quality, oil spills and “dirty bombs.” According to the Port Townsend company, the buoys “provide a high-capacity communications network grid to provide real-time monitoring for marine environments.” The company began testing the buoy program last year, and was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Defense and the University of Washington Applied Physics Lab. Security buoys are already deployed in the North Puget Sound area, according to Intellicheck Mobilisa. Korean Air Buying Five New Boeing 747-8s Korean Air Co. said in early December it plans to buy five Boeing 747-8 passenger planes worth $1.5 billion at list prices. Boeing Co. will deliver the Everett-built planes to the airline between April 2013 and May 2015, Korean Air said in a statement Korean Air will build parts for the new plane. In October, the airline said its Aerospace Business Division will build the wing structure components for the new Boeing 747-8 aircraft. According to the airline at the time, “the wide-body commercial Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental has a capacity of 467 seats and features a lengthened fuselage with a new wing design, as well as improved efficiency which aims for a quieter, more economical and increased environmentally-friendly performance.” Express Manufacturing, Inc. Announces its ISO 13485:2003 Certification Express Manufacturing, Inc., located in Santa Ana, California (EMI) announced they have received the distinguished ISO 13485:2003 Certification. This ISO 13485:2003 standard is a part of the international ISO organization and sets standards for design and process control including environmental requirements, traceability, record retention, requlatory audits and management practices for medical devices
Taser Gets Order from Colombian Police for 140 Stun Guns Schilling Gets 50th Order
“Schilling’s core philosophy is to make
our customers successful, and our (remotely operated vehicle) system has
helped achieve this by improving the stability, accuracy and ease of ...
intervention operations,” Schilling chief executive officer Tyler
Schilling said in a news release.
Schilling returned to the company’s top
position in July, after its former chief executive officer resigned
after 15 months on the job.
Boeing Says
Boeing Co. said the Asia Pacific region
will need nearly 9,000 new planes worth $1.1 trillion dollars over the
next 20 years. Asia Pacific is now the largest market in Boeing’s
forecast.
That’s an upward
revision from just two years ago, when Boeing said the region would need
7,200 planes and was the world’s second-largest market behind
The Asia Pacific region covers
“Twenty years from now more than 40
percent of the world’s airline traffic will begin, end or take place
within the Asia Pacific region,” said Randy Tinseth, vice
president-marketing of Seattle-based Boeing Commercial Airplanes, in a
statement.
In the next 20 years, Boeing said it
sees 5,600 single-aisle planes and 2,590 twin-aisle planes being
delivered to the Asia Pacific region. Boeing builds its single-aisle
planes in Raytheon Gets $151M SeaSparrow Missile Contract
Raytheon Co. received a $151 million
missile contract from the U.S. Navy’s NATO SeaSparrow program.
The deal calls for the production of 186
SeaSparrow missiles with the option to make an additional 255 missiles
for $210 million. The defense weapons are to be used by the U.S. Navy
and nine international fleets, officials said in making the announcement
Tuesday. The
company’s missile division
is in
First Solar Taps Honeywell AeroSpace Boss as CEO
Solar power equipment maker First Solar
Inc. hired Robert Gillette as its CEO, replacing Mike Ahearn, who stays
on as chairman.
Gillette, who was CEO and president of
Honeywell Aerospace for four and a half years, started work at Tempe,
Ariz.-based First Solar Oct. 1.
Scott Carson Retiring as Head of Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Scott Carson, who has presided over
Boeing Puget Sound-based Commercial Airplanes Group since Alan Mullay
left to head up Ford Motor Co., will retire at year’s end.
The 63-year-old
WestJet Orders 14 Boeing 737s
Canadian airline WestJet has ordered 14
Boeing 737-700 airplanes
valued at between $819 million and $973 million at list prices.
The airline flies the Boeing 737
exclusively, and including the latest offer, it has 54 737s scheduled
for delivery.
WestJet also said it plans to reschedule
16 leased and direct-purchase airplanes.
Applied Technology Associates Wins $6M Contract
Honeywell Aerospace Division Signs Two Engine Deals
A pair of engine deals will bring in up
to $485 million for the aerospace division of Honeywell International
Inc., company officials said. The Phoenix-based aerospace division of Honeywell has been awarded an addition option year on its deal with the U.S. Army to improve performance and extend the life of the turbine engine used in the M1 Abrams tank.
Cavco Buys Manufactured Housing Assets From Fleetwood
Cavco Industries Inc. has been named the
highest and best bidder for certain manufactured housing assets of
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc.
which is going through Chapter 11 reorganization.
The winning bid was determined through
an auction held by the Riverside, Calif.-based producer of manufactured
homes, in consultation with its committee of creditors. A court hearing
to approve the sale is scheduled for Wednesday.
Phoenix-based Cavco’s final offer was
$21.8 million. In addition, Cavco agreed to buy Fleetwood’s idled
Artex Aircraft to Consolidate
An
Artex Aircraft Supply Inc., which does
business as Cobham Avionics Aurora, announced that it will close its
Portland-area facility sometime between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2010.
Artex is a subsidiary of Cobham Plc., a
United Kingdom-based aerospace and defense systems company with $2.1
billion in annual revenue.
The facility, along with one in
Trompeter Electronics Closing
Trompeter Electronics Inc., a
manufacturer of connectors, adapters, components and jacks for the
telecommunications, cable television and aerospace sectors, is closing
its
Trompeter is a subsidiary of Emerson
Network Power, an arm of St. Louis-based Emerson Electric Inc.
The company reported the 135 layoffs,
which will occur through the end of the year, to the Arizona Department
of Economic Security. Taser International Scores Contract with U.S. Customs
Taser International Inc. has received a
contract from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that could stretch into
a five-year deal.
The contract, which calls for an
indefinite number of the company’s X26 stun guns to be shipped over a
period of time, will be coordinated through Aardvark Tactical Inc. of Scottsdale-based Taser said the shipments will start this quarter.
Solyndra Opens Manufacturing Facility in Fremont, Ca.
Solyndra, maker of cylindrical solar
panels, got a visit from Energy Secretary Steven Chu in September
for ground breaking on the factory that the federal government is
supporting with a $545 million loan guarantee. Vice President Joe Biden
announced that the guarantee was final in a satellite address broadcast
at the facility. The Industry NewsHeimatec Inc. Opens U.S. Office Jack M. Rider of Manufacturing
Engineering Magazine Retires
Industry’s Largest OEMs Cooperate to
Create imX, An Immersive, Interactive, Experiential Event
Nikon Metrology and Verisurf Team up EDM Wire-Cut Northwest, a local
manufacturing company at the forefront of Electrical Discharge
Machining (EDM) technology for over 30 years was recently purchased
by Tolt Machine Works and will celebrate its re-opening at the new
production facility 20 miles east of Seattle. Previously based in
Kent, EDM Wire-Cut Northwest moves into Tolt Machine Works
30,000-square-foot industrial complex in Carnation, WA and
represents the first of several new machining operations planned to
open at the complex over the next two years. Methods Machine Tools Appoints Paul
Hurtig as Feeler Product Manager BIG
Kaiser Introduces New Facility and Resources at Grand Opening
Advanced Measurement Labs. Inc. Acheives
AS 9100 Rev. B Certification Hardinge Announces Acquisition of Jones &
Shipman Partners In THINC Welcomes Mastercam as a
New Partner Doosan Celebrates 30 Years In North
America
Carl Zeiss Holds Successful Tech Center
Grand Opening Event Smarter Manager and KXLY TV Join Forces
Trio Tool & Die Company Receives Supplier
Excellence Award from Raytheon Space And Airborne Systems GF AgieCharmilles Continues Sponsorship of
NTMA/NIMS National Apprentice Competition
Combines Nikon Industrial Instruments with
Former Metris to Create Nikon Metrology, Inc. Partners In THINC Welcomes Kuka Robotics As a
New Partner New CompanyDMG And Mori Seiki Doosan Sees New Solar Module Maker to Set up Headquarters at
McClellan Park N Solar is expected to ultimately bring 150 new jobs to the Sacramento region. N Solar is set to begin operations in September. It was not immediately clear how big the staff will be to start, and when N Solar would ramp up to 150 employees. Toyota's Passin to Lead Tesla Manufacturing California based Tesla said Passin has 23 years of international automotive experience and has led some of the most high-profile divisions at Toyota, Volvo, Mack and projects at Renault across North America and Europe. Opus West Suit Says Parent Company ‘Siphoned’ $150M Phoenix-based Opus West, which was one of five regional operating Opus companies, claims Opus Corp. used “systematic manipulation and abuse” for the purpose of evading legitimate contracts and debts. It seeks an unspecified amount of money for damages. During the three years leading up to the filing of Opus West’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the suit claims, Opus’ parent company “siphoned” almost $150 million of Opus West’s earnings. That action left the subsidiary undercapitalized, inadequately financed and unable to meet its ordinary obligations as a separate business unit, according to the suit. Since last year, when three of Opus’ regional units filed for bankruptcy, the parent company has tried to distance itself from what it described as independent operating companies. Opus West disputes that, however, saying the parent “exercised dominant control” over the years and operated Opus West as “an insufficiently capitalized facade for Opus Parent’s individual dealings.” For example, the suit claims, the parent company had centralized accounting functions and required regular financial reporting of all its dealings. It also supervised Opus West through its common board members. Tesla Files to go Public for $100M in financing The company, based in Northern Calif., did not disclose in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission specifically how much it plans to raise though it listed $100 million as a placeholder figure. The actual amount it raises could be higher. Tesla also did not give a date for when it plans to launch the IPO, nor did it say how many shares it would sell or at what price. Amonix Inc. Has Announced it Will Build Two Solar The Arizona facility will bring 167 jobs to the state. Exact locations have not yet been chosen for the California-based company’s projects, but they were part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s tax credit program announced. Amonix is slated to receive $9.5 million for the two projects through the federal tax credit, which pays up to 30 percent of a facility’s construction. The DOE release shows Amonix’s Phoenix facility listed to receive about $3.6 million. Amonix’s technology is concentrated photovoltaic power systems that increase the efficiency of PV cells by concentrating sunlight on them. Suntech Plant Heads to GoodYear, AZ With 75 Jobs The company made the announcement at the Arizona Solar Manufacturing Symposium, ending several months of speculation about where its first U.S. manufacturing facility would be based. The Goodyear location, on Cotton Lane just north of Maricopa County Route 85, offers an existing building and good routes to California, Suntech’s largest sales market, said Steven Chan, the company’s chief strategy officer. Suntech’s relationship with Arizona State University was a factor in the decision, he said. “This site really stood out because it was a good locale for logistics and it would allow us to expand very rapidly,” he said. Suntech still could receive $2.1 million in federal tax credits from the U.S. Department of Education, however the application had listed the manufacturing site in Tempe. Chan and other economic development officials said they didn’t believe the choice of Goodyear would hinder the application. DOE officials could not be reached as of press time, but said previously a move could void the credits. The company plans to invest between $10 million and $15 million in developing the 194,000-square-foot space as a plant for producing 30 megawatts of solar panels annually. That level of production does not qualify for the state’s tax credit, which requires an investment of $25 million and specific job numbers. The company, however, could expand the facility to a capacity of more than 120 megawatts and earn the tax credits at a later date. African Airline Orders 10 More Renton Jets Arizona Solar Industry Lands Parts Supplier The project will bring about 200 jobs to the Valley. The Livonia, Mich.-based manufacturer is still looking at potential sites. Tower would be doing work for Stirling Energy Systems. That Scottsdale-based company uses a concentrated solar dish technology called SunCatcher, which leans heavily on the auto industry for its technology — including within the engine that produces the electricity. “Tower Automotive is excited to bring our technology and expertise to the Southwestern United States through the establishment of manufacturing operations in the metro Phoenix area,” Bill Pumphrey, Tower’s president of the Americas, said in a prepared statement. “Through the support of our customer, Stirling Energy Systems, and the state of Arizona, both of which made this possible, we are confident that this is the start of exciting growth opportunities for our company, our colleagues and the communities we support.” India Interested in Buying 10 Boeing C-17s If India carries through with its interest in the planes, it would join a growing parade of foreign customers for the four-engine, high-wing transport. The United Arab Emirates just this week ordered six of the California-built airlifters. Britain, Australia, Qatar and a consortium of European nations have C-17s in their inventories. Aerojet to Supply Warheads for Raytheon Aerojet is a subsidiary of Rancho Cordova, CA. -based GenCorp. The missile system provides long-range safety for Navy ships from airborne enemies. The manufacturing of this component will be at Aerojet’s assembly plant in Camden, Ark. The MK 125 warhead is the attack component of the SM-2 and SM-6 missile systems. “The competitive selection of Aerojet to provide this critical warhead is a clear indication that our efforts to cut costs have been effective, while continuing to provide high-quality and on-schedule deliveries. The MK 125 consolidates our position as Raytheon and the U. S. Navy’s major energetic systems provider for the SM-2 and SM-6 missiles, complementing our MK 104 and MK 72 propulsion programs,” said John Myers, vice president of tactical programs, in a prepared statement. Amkor Technology Raises Outlook Chandler-based Amkor expects its sales to go up about 6 percent in the quarter over 2008 levels, increasing in its guidance predicting flat revenue, said Ken Joyce, the company’s president and CEO. Semiconductor companies experienced better news in the second half of 2009 after a dismal start to the year. Some consumer demand has returned, and manufacturers are seeing revenues starting to increase after tailing off at the end of 2008. All Nippon Airways to Order 10 Boeing jets All Nippon uses aircraft from both Chicago-based Boeing and its European rival, Airbus. Boeing Sells Two More Next-Gen 737s Copa has 29 next-generation 737s remaining to be delivered (including the new order). ON Semiconductor Buying California Micro Devices ON Semiconductor said the deal has an equity value $108 million based on common shares outstanding and issued. Based on California Micro's 22.8 million outstanding shares as of Oct. 30, the deal is worth $107.3 million. Both boards of directors have approved the deal. ON said the acquisition will strengthen its product offerings in markets such as wireless, computing and consumer electronics. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter. Kamsco West Selected by Boeing on Tanker Project. Lamsco West, Inc. has been supplying engineered details, standards, laminated sheet and aerospace parts categorized as shims, stampings and flat pattern parts to Boeing for over 40 years. By joining with Boeing to become part of the United States Tanker team, Lamsco West, Inc. will become eligible to increase orders if Boeing is awarded the U.S. Air Force tanker contract in mid-2010. Lamsco West, Inc. currently makes engineered details, standards, and laminated sheet for Boeing's 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787 programs. Over 1,400
Manufacturers Attend Mazak’s R3 EventMazak recently announced that over 1,400 manufacturers from North and Central America attended its “Your Manufacturing Future: Refocus, Rediscover and Reinvent” event, which took place at its headquarters campus in Florence, Kentucky. Also known as ‘R3,’ the three-day event introduced new technology and provided innovative strategies to help American manufacturers achieve success. “We really believed that the manufacturing community would respond strongly to an event focused on positioning themselves for future growth,” said Brian Papke, president, Mazak Corporation. “Our expectations for R3 were already high and we’re absolutely thrilled to have them exceeded. A lot of manufacturers are recognizing that the market has changed and evolution toward a new level of manufacturing productivity is required for continued success.” Attendees to R3 sat in on a wide variety of seminars, covering topics including automation, MT Connect, multi-tasking, probing and advanced tooling technologies. Manufacturers of tooling, workholding and automation products partnered with Mazak to provide attendees with a comprehensive perspective on optimizing their operations. In addition to informational seminars, attendees of the R3 event had the opportunity to witness productivity demonstrations on newly introduced machine technologies. Among the 24 featured machines were the Quick Turn Smart 200 and 350, the first machines in an affordable new series ideal for high production runs, and the VT-20. Designed in the U.S. at the Kentucky Headquarters the patent pending Mazak VT-20 represented one of the most unique machines introduced at the event. THINC Partners Welcome Edmunds Gages Okuma America Corporation has announced that Edmunds Gages, a manufacturer of precision measurement tools, has joined Partners in THINC. Edmunds Gages conceives, designs and builds a wide range of gages for dimensional measurement and more. A vertically-integrated manufacturer, providing complete gaging solutions— including tooling, fixtures, heads, readouts and masters—Edmunds Gages also offers calibration services. With a fully accredited sub-millionth gage laboratory, Edmunds Gages products are provided with traceable certifications of size to National Standards, assuring that manufactured products meet part print dimensions and design constraints. “Partnering with Okuma and the other Partners provides us with an exciting opportunity to help manufacturers realize the full potential of modern day manufacturing,” stated Jack Gaughan, Sales Manager for Edmunds Gages. “Innovating ideas with experts from other companies, allows us to provide manufacturers with the solutions they need to remain competitive and profitable for future growth.” National Tooling & Machining Association Will Relocate to Ohio The National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) has announced 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 their “One Voice” for American Manufacturing. The NTMA has agreed to relocate to the building presently owned by the Precision Metal Forming Association (PMA) in Independence OH. 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 duties such as meeting planning, customer service, accounting, clerical and others so both organizations will save on overhead. The move was made possible when the two organizations joined forces earlier this year on their political advocacy work by creating the new “One Voice” political advocacy coalition. The NTMA executive team believes the success of the One Voice effort has shown us that the two organizations can work together on common issues. They feel that doing more work together will make each organization stronger. Emuge Named Exclusive North American Agent for Hohenstein Special Purpose Clamping Fixtures Emuge Corp. announced they are the exclusive North American agent for The Hohenstein Company, one of Germany’s leading designers and producers of work-piece clamping fixtures. This arrangement will combine reliable high-quality, special purpose work piece clamping fixtures from Hohenstein with Emuge’s application expertise in demanding workholding and tooling solutions. “By adding the specialized clamping fixtures from Hohenstein to our lines, we further demonstrate our commitment to our customers to fulfill their unique application requirements,” commented Peter Matysiak, president of Emuge Corp. “The fixtures are a natural addition, as our precision workholding department specializes in customized solutions where accuracy and repeatability play a major role.” Waterjet Manufacturer Jet Edge Acquires Calypso Waterjet Systems Waterjet manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. of St. Michael, Minn., recently announced that it has acquired Calypso Waterjet Systems of Dallas, Texas. Founded in 1992, Calypso Waterjet Systems had been a major manufacturer of waterjet cutting systems prior to its departure from the water jet industry in early 2009. Calypso products include waterjet cutting machines, abrasive removal, closed loop water, and automatic height sensing systems; nesting software; plastic water jet cutting bricks; bulk abrasive feeder tanks; and replacement parts for waterjet intensifier pumps, cutting heads, and waterjet tables. Jet Edge president Jude Lague said he plans to reintroduce many of Calypso’s products under Calypso’s brand names. “Calypso waterjets provide an excellent entry-level waterjet solution for price-conscious buyers,” Lague noted. “Through our acquisition of Calypso, we will be able to make precision waterjet cutting capabilities available to a much broader range of customers in the growing entry-level market.” Verisurf Donates $528,000 Worth of Software to Cerritos Machine Tool Technology Program Cerritos College Economic Development in partnership with California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC) attended the WESTEC trade show, in March 2009. Their attendance at this event resulted in a highly lucrative collaboration between Cerritos College Economic Development, their Machine Tool Technology Program, and Verisurf Software, Inc. Verisurf Software, Inc. is a California based software development company that specializes in computer-aided inspection and manufacturing software for a variety of industries. Verisurf offered a donation of 24 seats of software (valuing a total $528,000) in exchange for Cerritos College paying to have one faculty member trained in the Verisurf software as well as produce a series of hands on training videos featuring the capabilities of the software that students can use as well as other Verisurf customers. Cerritos College instructor, Yannick Real, was selected to attend the training, create videos showing the basics of the program and some hands-on applications as well as assist with the installation process. Cerritos College Economic Development and the Machine Tool Technology department is very excited that this collaboration will benefit their departments for years to come because their campus has been designated as the beta test site for future trainings through Verisurf. Their students will have the most up to date software and equipment because of the donations they received. Okuma America Corporation & Hartwig, Inc. to Provide Machines to Davis Applied Technology College in Utah Okuma America Corporation and Utah distributor Hartwig, Inc. will provide machine tool equipment to Davis Applied Technology College (DATC) for use in their 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. Okuma and Hartwig are collaborating to provide DATC with a working showroom of CNC lathes, vertical machining centers, multi-tasking machines and a horizontal machining center with a Fastems flexible manufacturing system. The equipment will be used to provide students with hands-on training on state-of-the-art equipment for development of CNC machinists, programmers and quality control and inspection specialists. Additionally, local manufacturing companies will have opportunities to visit the facility and see the machines in operation. Although machines have already been installed and training has begun, the Okuma Institute of Technology at Davis Applied Technology College will formally open on January 12. Grand Opening activities will take place January 12-14, 2010. Jonathan
Saada & Associates Announces Expansion –Adds Complete WIDIA Product LineJonathan Saada & Associates, the manufacturer’s representative for WIDIA-Hanita cutting tools in Southern California, recently announcee the company is adding all WIDIA-related brands of cutting tools and related products to its product line, effective immediately. They: WIDIA-Hanita™, world-class end mills, WIDIA-Rübig™, solid-carbide drilling and reaming, WIDIA-Manchester™, grooving and cutoff expertise and value Other products include WIDIA-Clapp/DiCo™, PCD/CBN custom metalcutting solutions, WIDIA-GTD™ (Greenfield Tap & Die), line of premium-quality taps, WIDIA-Circle™, the proven name for optimum small-bore boring, grooving, and profiling and, of course, WIDIA™, carbide tooling and a world leader in indexable milling, turning, and holemaking applications. “We’ve been providing technical knowledge and expertise to metalworking end users and distributors for 20 years,” explains Jonathan Saada, president. “With these additions to our products and services, we now represent everything from the spindle to the job to improve a company’s bottom line.” Along with partner David Buchberger, Saada says he plans to hire more people in the near future for additional service capacity to Southern California manufacturers.
Delcam Establishes Delcam has established
an office in Vizion was founded in
1998 by Jerry Sanders to sell and support
Delcam products in the western Commenting on the decision to move to a direct office, Delcam Managing Director Clive Martell said, “Vizion’s staff have enjoyed considerable success in building up and supporting a large and diverse customer base for Delcam’s products. To expand the organization and achieve even more business in the state, we felt that considerable investment was needed.”
Mazak Announces ISO 9001:2008
Certification Mazak Corporation has
announced receipt of ISO 9001:2008 certification for its manufacturing
plant in The ISO 9001:2008
certification is very similar to ISO 9001:2000 certification. Several
restrictions have been tightened and language has been added or changed
to provide additional clarification. Mazak’s ISO 9001:2008 certification
applies to its production operations, including the design and
manufacture of CNC machines, spindle rebuilds and remanufacturing at its The Mazak Florence plant produces the Nexus lines of vertical machining centers and turning centers with multi-tasking capabilities. Mazak will introduce 10 new models from this plant in the fall of 2009.
Siemens And Fryer Machine Team Up Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., announced that Fryer Machine Systems, Inc. has selected the Sinumerik 840D numerical control, together with Siemens’ ShopMill and ShopTurn software packages, for its job shop milling and turning machines. By using Siemens CNC solutions, machine tool end-users benefit from decreased machine setup time, a unified control for both milling and turning machines combined with superior performance. Flexibility and ease-of-use were key factors in the decision to select Siemens. The Siemens solution allows end-users to achieve higher productivity through easy and intuitive features and step-by-step, on-screen programming that enable job shops to quickly respond to customer demands by reducing programming times.
Makino Broadcasts 100th Online Seminar Makino’s highly acclaimed online seminar series reached a new milestone on June 4, with the 100th seminar broadcast. All 100 seminars are available in Makino’s online seminar library (www.makino.com/library). These online events cover a wide variety of machining solutions, including production machining, micromachining, EDM, die mold, aerospace, and automation. “It’s really exciting to have shared so much machining knowledge in the last three years,” said Mark Rentschler, Makino’s marketing manager. “When we first started, online video was in its infancy—no one else in manufacturing was doing anything like this, especially without charging people to view the information. We never thought we’d reach the point where we have over 10,000 views of videos that shops use to help their business.” Makino’s online seminar series is a free service and available to all North American manufacturers. New seminars are broadcasted each month on Thursdays at 11am ET, 10am CT.
Carl Zeiss IMT Announces Opening Of New Carl Zeiss IMT has
opened a new tech center in “We are dedicated to supporting the high-tech industry on the west coast, by providing customers easy access to our most modern and advanced technology,” says Andy Sisler, vp sales at Carl Zeiss IMT. “The new technical center will provide more local resources and support for this fast paced market. It’s an exciting time for us because this is a chance to be even closer to our customers, and show our commitment to customer support after the sale,” adds Sisler. The new facility is located in a modern technology park. The new site focuses on application support, contract inspection services, software training, and demonstration of Zeiss equipment. “Providing contract inspection services is an exciting part of what we are building here,” states Drew Shemenski, software and applications manager at Carl Zeiss IMT. “With a full suite of Metrology Systems at this facility, we have the capability to support the inspection needs of everyone from micro-molders, up through traditional CNC job shops, as well as specialists such as gear and turbine manufacturers.”
HR Machinery has been
appointed the exclusive representative of Niigata Products Group; a
division of SNK America Inc. Covering the northern portion of Jim Fahey, owner of HR
Machinery states, “ HR is proud to be associated with a company that
produces the quality and reliability that
BTB Transfer of Brescia, Italy has completed their acquisition of Ottobi Machine. Ottobi has been supplying the lock cylinder & key manufacturing industry with high speed production systems for more than 30 years. Their operation will be moved into the recently enlarged BTB facility. Ottobi produces key machines for automotive, residential, padlock, and other security cylinders, including the new tamper-proof security keys with milled slots and conical hole patterns. The lock cylinder lines produce at high speeds up to 5,000 parts per hour. The new Ottobi will benefit greatly from the current BTB infrastructure of advanced technology in electrical controls and a worldwide service organization. Gosiger Import, a division of Gosiger, Inc. is the importer and distributor for BTB and Ottobi and will introduce the Ottobi product line to the North American market. With more than 100 service techs nationally, Gosiger provides necessary support for the life of the equipment. Gosiger is actively contacting customers who can benefit through the application of Ottobi machine technologies. In addition to the BTB product line, Gosiger also
imports Euroturn multi-spindles, iFP vacuum parts washers and Nomura
swiss style lathes. Gosiger
has been in business since 1922 and has offices in southern and northern
Dynamic International, Samsung Machine Tool Division Appoints New
President Steve Lesnewich was
recently appointed as the new president of Samsung Machine Tool, a
division of Dynamic International. The appointment became effective July
6, 2009. Steve is an exceptional leader who will be responsible for
introducing the Samsung Machine Tool line to Lesnewich comes to
Samsung Machine Tool with over 30 years of experience in the machine
tool industry and brings a vast spectrum of knowledge to Dynamic
International. For the past 15 years, Mr. Lesnewich was at Daewoo/Doosan
the Korean builder of CNC lathes and machining centers where he became
president and COO. Before Daewoo, Lesnewich was the eastern regional
manager for SMW Systems where he worked closely with the builders and
importers of CNC machine tools on the east coast. Prior to SMW Systems,
Steve started his machine tool experience holding various positions with
Marubeni Citizen-Cincom the importer of CNC Swiss style lathes.
Valenite Becomes a New Competence Brand For Walter in Walter and Valenite
recently announce the following organizational developments in an effort
to expand their value proposition for their channel partners and their
end user customers. Starting now, until
January 1st 2010, the Valenite brand will be integrated into theWalter
brand structure, and shall form the Walter Valenite competence brand.
MODCO® will become a technology brand under the Walter Valenite
competence per below. Muff Tanriverdi,
President of Walter This integration
will bring the best of both organizations together to further expand
their role as
leaders of innovation and technology.
Verisurf Selected by Spacex as Exclusive Provider of Metrology Software Verisurf Software,
Inc. announced it has
entered into an exclusive agreement with Space Exploration Technologies
(SpaceX). Under the agreement, Verisurf will become SpaceX’s software
standard for real time information regarding surface variance on
composite tooling, to perform crucial final acceptance inspection, and
to create surface deviation reports for the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launch
vehicles, as well as the Dragon spacecraft programs. Based in
“Verisurf’s CAD connectivity,
broad 3D device support and powerful measurement functionality are a
great compliment to our current programs,” said Chris Thompson, SpaceX
vice president of manufacturing.
“ These benefits, coupled with its ease of use and reputation as
a standard in the aerospace industry, make Verisurf a great choice for
SpaceX.” “Verisurf is proud
to be the corporate standard for SpaceX, a company with the highest
level of innovation and quality in commercial spaceflight. We will do
whatever is necessary to support SpaceX as they strive to develop
affordable access to space”, stated Ernie Husted, president and CEO of
Verisurf Software, Inc.
Ellison Technologies Expands its Engineering Support Ellison
Technologies, recently announced a new applications engineer, Mr. Nguyen
Ho, to its “Nguyen is a highly
skilled applications engineer,” says Larry Duford, Ellison Technologies’
Advanced Manufacturing Group president.
“His experience combined with his enthusiasm to develop new
capabilities to support our customers, makes him a great addition to our
engineering team.” As part of Ellison’s engineering support team; Nguyen will provide set-up, programming, and training support to Ellison’s expanding customer base. Nguyen began his career as a 2D & 3D programmer and has since enhanced his skills with a focus in set up and operation of CNC milling machines. |
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