PM News: Tornos Gains New President And Forms Alliance

Tornos Gains New President And Forms Alliance
Tornos Technologies U.S. Corporation (Brookfield, Connecticut) has announced both management and product changes. The company has appointed Scott Kowalski as president, who has 20 years of experience in the metalworking industry. Most recently, Mr. Kowalski comes from the Agie Charmilles EDM Group .

In another development, Tornos has forged an alliance with Hydromat Inc. (St. Louis, Missouri). Hydromat will exclusively represent the Tornos line of multi-spindle lathes in North America, handling all sales and service functions. According to Mr. Kowalski, a tech center will be established in the Chicago area to better serve customers in the Midwest. Operations at the existing facility in Brookfield will also be maintained. For more information, visit Tornos' PM Online Showroom.

Mori Seiki USA has relocated its headquarters to Rolling Meadows, Illinois, in the Chicago area, from its previous location in Irving, Texas. The new headquarters will hold national responsibility for sales, applications engineering, service, technical communications, training, marketing, administration and automated systems. The previous headquarters will continue to support its southern customers as one of the company’s seven technical centers. For more information, visit Mori Seiki's PM Online Showroom.

Valenite LLC (Oak Park, Michigan) has sold its Valenite Gaging Systems division. The new owner and CEO of the business is John Malane, who had been operations manager of the division prior to the agreement being finalized. The new name of the organization is VGAGE LLC, and under this name, the company will focus on resources and service regarding the inspection, measurement and quality control needs of its clients. For more information, visit VGAGE's PM Online Showroom.

The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company (HSB) (Hartford, Connecticut), a global equipment breakdown insurer, has announced a new extended warranty program, the Select Machinery Warranty, which is now automatically provided by the seller. The warranty is applicable to all eligible inventory of participating used machinery dealers and new machinery manufacturers, providing extended coverage against mechanical or electrical breakdown. The warranty applies to machinery operated in North America after the dealer’s 30-day privilege or a standard manufacturer’s warranty expires.

SKF USA Inc. (Kulpsville, Pennsylvania) has acquired Precision Balancing & Analyzing (PB&A), a spindle repair and upgrade company based in Mentor, Ohio. The acquisition broadens SKF’s global presence in spindle repair and related capabilities by expanding its Certified Spindle Service Network to 17 centers worldwide. The acquisition further serves to complement SKF Precision Technologies spindle-repair operations in Grafton, Wisconsin, and Armada, Michigan. For more information, visit SKF's PM Online Showroom.

Boston Centerless (Woburn, Massachusetts) has been named a 2006 Silver Medal recipient of the Northeast Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. The Shingo Prize is recognized as a premier manufacturing award and recognition program in North America. The award is presented to companies that achieve world-class manufacturing status through the implementation and practice of lean manufacturing principles. Boston Centerless is the first metalworking contract manufacturer to win the Prize in North America. For more information, visit Boston Centerless' PM Online Showroom.

Edward Gerber has been appointed as vice president, sales for Walter USA, Inc. (Waukesha, Wisconsin). In his new position, Mr. Gerber will be in charge of Walter sales, reporting directly to Muff Tanriverdi, president of Walter USA. He assumes his new position with more than 20 years in the cutting tool industry with a background in distribution and manufacturing. Most recently, Mr. Gerber was vice president, sales for Titex-Prototype. For more information, visit Walter's PM Online Showroom.