TPT July 2018

I NDUS T RY

EuroBLECH 2018: Step into the digital reality EUROBLECH 2018, the 25 th

companies in the sheet metal working industry is to create an intelligent manufacturing environment which is based on the secure exchange of data and the networking of machines and processes. EuroBLECH 2018 offers its visitors the possibility to find solutions for these challenges and to connect with business partners to help them with the integration of these processes, machines and systems into their production.” The EuroBLECH exhibition profile covers fifteen technology sectors covering the entire sheet metal working technology chain: sheet metal, semi- finished and finished products, handling, separation, forming, flexible sheet metal working, tube/section processing, joining, welding, additive manufacturing, surface treatment, processing of hybrid structures, tools, quality control, CAD/CAM/CIM systems, factory and warehouse equipment, and R&D. Mack Brooks Exhibitions Ltd – UK Fax: +44 1727 814 401

solutions and innovative machinery for modern production in sheet metal working, which will be presented in the form of numerous live demonstrations at the exhibition stands. Digital transformation is playing a major role in the industry, enabling increased efficiency and a higher level of automation and predictive maintenance. These developments are reflected in this year’s motto for EuroBLECH – “Step into the digital reality” – since Industry 4.0 and the related ‘smart factory’ have become major topics in sheet metal working. This has now become an important area for small and medium- sized companies planning to invest in these technologies in the near future in order to gain a competitive advantage in their market. “The digital transformation is momentarily an important topic in the industry. This requires a close collaboration along the entire value chain, from production control to maintenance,” said Evelyn Warwick, exhibition director of EuroBLECH, on behalf of the organiser Mack Brooks Exhibitions. “The biggest challenge for States, this facility will further enhance our product delivery capabilities, making our US operations even more competitive.” Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf commented, “Whenever a manufacturer expands here in Pennsylvania, it’s more evidence that our manufacturing sector is growing stronger. The establishment of Victaulic’s new facility doesn’t simply continue the company’s 40-year tradition of commitment to growth here in the Commonwealth – it will also create jobs and help develop the Lehigh Valley’s manufacturing workforce.” In addition to housing the company’s current light assembly operation, which has been conducted in partnership with Cast-Pac Inc for 20 years, the new facility will include several million dollars’ worth of new equipment to modernise its manufacturing operations.

International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, takes place from 23 to 26 October at the Hanover Exhibition Grounds in Germany. Six months ahead of the show, around 1,400 exhibitors from 38 countries had already secured their stand space at the trade exhibition for the sheet metal working industry. Major exhibitor countries are Germany, Italy, Turkey, China, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Austria and the USA. The exhibiting companies have already secured almost the entire exhibition space from the previous event. EuroBLECH 2016 concluded with a record net exhibition space of 87,800m 2 . Held every two years, EuroBLECH is an opportunity for design engineers, production managers, quality managers, buyers, manufacturers, technical directors and experts from associations and R&D to discover the latest trends and machinery in sheet metal working. Visitors to this year’s show can expect the complete spectrum of intelligent VICTAULIC, a manufacturer of mechan- ical pipe joining solutions, has unveiled plans to build an additional manu- facturing centre in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, USA. The facility is the result of increased domestic demand for the company’s products. It is expected to break ground later this year and be fully operational in 2019. “This new facility will play an important role in meeting increased customer demand, while also producing the highest quality products in the industry – something our customers have come to expect from us since our first innovation nearly 100 years ago,” said John F Malloy, CEO of Victaulic. “A major aspect of our business strategy has always been to manufacture products in close proximity to our customers. While we already manufacture 80 per cent of domestically sold products in the United

Email: info@euroblech.com Website: www.euroblech.com Victaulic to build additional manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania

Robotic and optical technology in the facility will advance the limits of quality control for the company’s castings and finished products through automated assembly operations. Computerised visual inspection systems will be used to identify non-conformities, preventing them from being shipped to customers. Along with the expansion, Victaulic anticipates adding 40 to 50 new jobs by the end of this year. From machining and lab technicians to assemblers and production staff, it is expected that many of the new positions will be filled by local talent from the area’s skilled workforce. New hires will join the current Victaulic team of 3,600 employees globally, of which 49 per cent are located in the USA.

Victaulic – USA Website: www.victaulic.com

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JULY 2018