Orders received by the German machine tool industry in the second quarter of 2021 were 103% up on the previous year’s figure. While orders from Germany rose by 81%, foreign orders were 114% higher than in the previous 12 months. This significant increase in orders has led Oxford Economics, the VDW’s forecasting partner, to put production growth at 8%, two points higher than in the spring. This figure would bring the volume for the current year to €13.2bn. Nevertheless, there is still some way to go before reaching the peak of 2018-19. At that time, the industry achieved a result of €17bn.

For further information www.vdw.de

Trumpf has completed a change in leadership at its Machine Tool Business Division. Stephan Mayer is now the new CEO Machine Tools (CEO MT) after succeeding Heinz-Jürgen Prokop, who left Trumpf at the end of the fiscal year on 30 June after reaching the age limit for members of the board. Mayer has been with Trumpf since 2012, initially as head of the Organizational Development and Production and Quality Management departments. Since 2019 he has been President China, where he managed the Trumpf locations in Taicang/Jiangsu and Jinfangyuan CNC Machine Co Ltd (JFY) in Yangzhou.

For further information
www.trumpf.com

Hardinge Inc and JG Weisser GmbH & Co KG have entered into a definitive agreement under which the former will acquire the latter, enhancing Hardinge’s turning and milling platform with an attractive portfolio of products and technologies. Weisser, which has sales of approximately $90m, is a German manufacturer of multifunctional turning machines and turning centres, as well as automation solutions. The transaction will bring together two complementary businesses, accelerate the Hardinge growth strategy and increase core capabilities in highly attractive segments.

For further information
www.weisser-web.com

A much faster turnaround in quotations and an increase in orders for Bedford CNC has reinforced the fact that production control software is a worthwhile investment for subcontract engineering companies of any size, not just larger organisations. Less than two years after initially investing in PSL Datatrack’s Quotations package, the company has now invested in three more modules: Works Orders, Deliveries and Invoicing. Director Andy Soos says that acquiring the software has been as essential as ongoing investment in the company’s machinery portfolio, which includes the latest DMG Mori CMX 800V vertical mill.

For further information
www.psldatatrack.com

Industrial automation specialist Comau is among the winners in General Motors’ 29th annual Supplier of the Year awards. GM recognised 122 of its best suppliers from 16 countries for performance in the 2020 calendar year. The annual awards highlight global suppliers that distinguish themselves by exceeding GM’s requirements, in turn providing GM customers with innovative technologies and among the highest quality in the automotive industry. This is the third year running that Comau has received a Supplier of the Year award, in addition to having received a GM Innovation award at the 2016 event.

For further information www.comau.com