Horn secures Industry 4.0 award

Cutting tool manufacturer Paul Horn GmbH has received a second Allianz Industrie 4.0 Award Baden-Württemberg, underlining the company’s continuous pursuit of innovation and its pioneering role in digitalisation. Horn’s innovation has been to map the lifecycle of tools digitally, principally to enable the recording of quality-critical data using a web-based solution customised for specific groups of tooling products. The Horn Service Platform (HSP) prevents errors and reduces lead times by digitally automating and accelerating administrative tasks.

More information www.horn-group.com

Machine tool damping breakthrough

The Fraunhofer Institutes for Machine Tools and Forming Technology IWU and Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials Research IFAM have made a breakthrough in materials research. HoverLIGHT composite material is said to set new standards for the construction of machine tools: by combining aluminium foam and particle-filled hollow spheres, HoverLIGHT achieves a combination of lightness, stiffness, and vibration damping. Tests show that HoverLIGHT can dampen vibrations by a factor of three. All this comes with a weight saving of 20% compared with the original assembly.

More information www.iwu.fraunhofer.de

Bigger voice for manufacturers

A trade body that represents 200 manufacturers has placed a Minister for Manufacturing, greater SME involvement in the Industrial Strategy and ongoing lobbying around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the top of its action list for 2025. The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) wants to give members an even greater voice on key issues impacting their ability to compete over the next 12 months.

Despite recent challenges, the CBM believes there are still plenty of opportunities for manufacturers if there is more stability in the automotive sector and if the ongoing resurgence in aerospace continues. It also believes that serious government backing and funding towards ‘Made in Britain’ could dispel some of the economic gloom and generate numerous possibilities.

More information www.thecbm.co.uk

New era for Floyd Automatic Tooling

UK cutting tool distributor Helix Tool has acquired Floyd Automatic Tooling following the decision of Richard and Chantal Floyd to retire from the business after 35 years. “Over the decades, our offering has expanded exponentially in line with both the technology and the requirements of the marketplace,” says Richard Floyd. “We’ve built partnerships with suppliers and clients that have spanned decades. The staff and management team at Floyd Automatic will undoubtedly take the Floyd brand, relationships, service and product portfolio forward with new vigour – and I wish our new owners every success in the future.”

More information www.floydautomatic.co.uk

Exactaform Acquires Precision Tooling Specialist

Exactaform Cutting Tools has acquired the trade and assets of PJ Tooling, an established
name in the precision tooling industry. The move not only strengthens Exactaform’s
commitment to growth and expansion but also carries a sentimental value that dates back
to the company’s roots.

Exactaform founder John Inglis started his career at PJ Tooling. This experience laid the
foundation for his future in the tooling industry and was instrumental in the formation of
Exactaform. With this acquisition, his journey has come full circle, bringing PJ Tooling under
the Exactaform umbrella and creating new opportunities.
“PJ Tooling gave me my start in the industry, so it’s a great privilege to be able to bring the
business back into the fold and ensure its legacy continues,” says Inglis. “We’re excited to
bring our expertise and resources to PJ’s operations and support its customers with the
same high standards of service that we provide at Exactaform.”
PJ Tooling’s location in Warwick is just a short drive from Exactaform’s headquarters in
Coventry, making the transition smooth with operations now united under one roof at the
latter facility. By centralising operations, Exactaform can leverage its state-of-the-art
facilities and expert team to enhance further the company’s ability to deliver on complex
projects.
The acquisition of PJ Tooling presents exciting opportunities for Exactaform to strengthen its
position in the hydraulic component industry, among others. While the company already
has some experience in this sector, there is a considerable amount of crossover between
existing capabilities and the specific requirements of manufacturing bespoke cutting tools
for machining hydraulic components.
With PJ Tooling’s established reputation and Exactaform’s manufacturing processes, the
company is excited to expand its reach and deliver even greater value to customers who
require high-precision tools for hydraulic applications.
More information www.exactaform.com