November 2007 Edition
Industry News
Hot Shot Entry Form Now Online
So you think you're shop is hot stuff?
Now you can prove it. MAN is looking for shops that do it faster, better, or more high-tech than its competitors. If you think your shop fits the bill, go to MAN's website,
www.ModernApplicationsNews.com, and hit the logo to fill out an entry form telling us, in 250 words, why your company would qualify as a Hot Shot Job Shop.
We'll pick a shop each month for a full-page profile in the magazine, on our website, and in our e-newsletter.
Readers will vote for their favorite shop and the winner will receive an award at IMTS and be featured on MAN's cover in our IMTS issue.
MAG IAS Enters the Control System Business
MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Sterling Heights, MI, formed Infimatic, a new controls system business unit.
According to MAG IAS, the system is a modular, scaleable control system with ruggedized hardware architecture running high-productivity software that handles faster data rates and meets a targeted price point for the industry.
"The controls platform was derived from a knowledge base that includes machine tool design, machining process development, and a deep understanding of CNC from the user's point of view," Pete Tecos, VP sales and marketing, Infimatic, said.
"The twelve companies that comprise Infimatic's parent company, MAG IAS, have combined their machine tool and control design experience to create a powerful, modular and scalable control platform."
The first product line offered by Infimatic is the Freedom NC200TM CNC control system, designed for equipment applications ranging from automation to 5-axis contour metalcutting. The new unit is headquartered in Hebron, KY.
Saint-Gobain Corp. Appoints New President and CEO
Jacques Aschenbroich was named president and CEO of Saint-Gobain Corp. The firm, based in Valley Forge, PA, is an $8.5 billion manufacturer of packaging, construction products, and high-performance materials. Saint-Gobain Corp. is the holding company for Compagnie de Saint-Gobain's U.S. and Canada operations.
Aschenbroich succeeds Jean-François Phelizon, who is returning to Compagnie de Saint-Gobain's Paris headquarters as senior vice president and advisor to company CEO Pierre-André de Chalendar.
Aschenbroich will combine his new responsibilities with his existing roles as president of the company's high-performance materials sector and head of the group's innovation and research and development activities.
Second Quarter 2007 Industrial Laser Orders Up 14.7 Percent
Second quarter 2007 orders of industrial laser equipment and systems are reported at $141.5 million according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology. This represents an increase of 14.7 percent from first quarter 2007. Orders within North America taken by the 24 companies reporting in the second quarter totaled $107 million, while exports amounted to approximately $34.5 million.
The report from AMT shows that orders of CO2 laser systems increased 19.3 percent, while Nd:YAG lasers increased 20.6 percent, compared with first quarter 2007.
The report also shows 2D cutting applications as the largest source of industrial laser activity in second quarter 2007, accounting for 70.5 percent of all orders. In addition, 81.4 percent of industrial laser orders placed during the second quarter 2007 were of the CO2 variety and 82.3 percent of total orders were configured as a laser system – laser source and workstation.
Second quarter 2007 dollar figures are based on actual data reported by companies participating in the Laser Market Data Survey. The quarter-on-quarter percent change in CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers reflects the contributions of only those companies that participated in the statistical program in both the first and second quarters of 2007.
The report does not include orders attributed to the addition of new program participants during the second quarter 2007.
FARO Earns 15-Laser Tracker Order from Boeing
FARO Technologies Inc., Lake Mary, FL, a manufacturer of portable computer-aided measurement arms and laser tracker sales, received an order for 15 FARO Laser Tracker Xi units from the Boeing Company for commercial airplane tooling in the Puget Sound area.
The FARO Laser Tracker is a portable, 3D measurement system that uses laser technology to measure large parts, tooling, and machinery within the tracker's 230' range.
Set on a tripod, it operates by bouncing a beam off a movable, reflective target that is guided along the surface to be measured. By simultaneously measuring two angles and the distance, the Tracker can pinpoint the position of the target to an accuracy of up to 0.001'.
As a user moves the target from one location to another, the device tracks its location and records position points, compiling a 3D image of the object as a digital file in the software of its laptop computer. If, at any point, the beam between the Tracker and target is interrupted, its XtremeADM feature reacquires the laser and continues measuring.
2007 Manufacturing Technology Consumption Up 5.3 Percent
July U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $271.37 million, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology and the American Machine Tool Distributors' Association.
The total, as reported by companies participating in the United States Manufacturing Technology Consumption program, was down 22.0 percent from June, and down 9.5 percent from the total of $300 million reported for July 2006. With a year-to-date total of $2.25 billion, 2007 was up 5.3 percent compared with 2006.
U.S. manufacturing technology consumption is also reported on a regional basis for five geographic breakdowns of the United States.
Northeast Region
Manufacturing technology consumption in this region in July stood at $35.21 million, down 48.3 percent from June's $68.05 million and 17.9 percent less than the July 2006 total. At $366.72 million, the 2007 year-to-date total was 15.2 percent higher than the comparable figure for 2006.
Southern Region
At $43.70 million, this region's manufacturing technology consumption in July was down 9.2 percent when compared with June's $48.10 million, but 19.7 percent higher than the July 2006 total. The $303 million year-to-date total was 4.2 percent higher than the 2006 total at the same time.
Midwestern Region
Manufacturing technology consumption in this region in July totaled $86.97 million, down 12.5 percent from June's $99.40 million and down 25.6 percent when compared with last July. The year-to-date total of $646 million was 4.3 percent less than the comparable figure in 2006.
Central Region
At $69.96 million, manufacturing technology consumption in this area in July was 9.7 percent less than June's $77.47 million, and down 0.2 percent when compared with July a year ago. Compared with 2006 at the same time, the year-to-date total of $601.66 million was up 11.8 percent.
Western Region
July manufacturing technology consumption in this area totaled $35.53 million, 35.4 percent less than June's $55 million, but up 5.5 percent when compared with July 2006. The year-to-date total of $337.35 million, puts 2007 ahead of 2006 at the same time by 6.1 percent.
Small Business Leads Adoption of eCommerce
Small manufacturing companies are among the leaders in embracing the Internet, according to a Small Business Research Board – SBRB – study.
The study, co-sponsored by Business Today Magazine, showed 67 percent of the small manufacturing firms participating in the study have at least one website. The poll also indicated that manufacturers are optimistic about the future with 32.9 percent saying they expect their eCommerce revenue to grow over the next 12 to 24 months.
Of the industries studied, manufacturers led all business categories in their commitment to the Internet. Transportation companies followed, with 63 percent indicating they have websites. Small retailers were next with 62.5 percent saying they were on the web.
A little more than 97 percent of the manufacturing companies responding to the poll said they expect Internet-driven revenues to remain the same, or increase, during the next 12 to 24 months. Almost 33 percent predicted an increase.
55.7 percent of manufacturing firms said they had at least one website and 11.1 percent said they had two or more sites.
Nationally, 42.7 percent of the respondents said they did not have a website while 47.3 percent said they had one website. Another 9.1 percent said they had between two and ten websites and 0.9 percent said they had more than ten websites. Also, 56.1 percent of the small businesses with websites said they sell products and services on a company-owned site.
More than 55 percent of the manufacturing firms with websites sell products or services on those sites.
Small retailers were the most optimistic about the next 12 to 24 months with 39.8 percent indicating they are projecting revenue increases.
Nationally, 96.7 percent said they expect Internet revenues to increase or stay the same during the next 12 to 24 months, with 29.2 percent predicting increases.
Owners and managers of more than 550 small businesses representing numerous industries responded to the nationwide study.
Further details about the Small Business Research Board can be found at www.biznus.net.
ANCA Appoints New CEO
Australia-based CNC grinder manufacturer ANCA appointed Jeroen Schmits as CEO. He will be responsible for global business operations and will relocate from the United States to ANCA's head office in Melbourne, Australia.
Schmits has a long career in managing capital equipment companies; most recently he was president of Universal Instruments in Binghamton, NY, where he focused on sustainable growth based on technology development and quality performance.
ANCA manufactures CNC precision grinding equipment and CNC control systems.
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