www.pesmedia.com Production Engineering Solutions July 2024 3 Our cover story this month is all about sawing, storage and automation specialist Kasto. I’ve been to their headquarters in Achern, Germany a number of times over the years, but this visit, apart from providing an opportunity to take in all the new technology, also marked a rather important anniversary – 180 years since the company’s formation. It got me thinking about how companies like Kasto are able to survive, and indeed thrive, over such a long period of time and I think there’s definitely something to be said for family run businesses. It’s certainly not the only factor in the longevity equation, but it does carry some weight. I’ve visited many family-run subcontract businesses here in the UK and the desire to pass knowledge, skills and family values down through generations is pretty common – and proven. In terms of staff, running a business is all about getting the blend between experience and youthful exuberance right – and it’s a fine line. As an 18-year-old apprentice way back in the murky depths of time, I remember benefitting incredibly from the older guys I worked with. I also remember marvelling at their knowledge and expertise but of course that can only be obtained through years and often decades of experience. Going back to that blend between youth and experience – manufacturing has changed beyond recognition in recent years and the challenge today is attracting new blood into a career in manufacturing and engineering as more seasoned employees retire. I visited tooling company Ceratizit in Austria and Germany earlier this year and they emphasised just how important it is to try and attract young people into the company. It’s the same story with Kasto. Kasto is one of the oldest family run businesses in Europe. Karl Stolzer launched the company back in 1844 and today family values are as strong as ever with fifth and sixth generation family members steering the ship. Karl’s greatgreat-grandson Armin is at the helm after more than 30 years with the business and Armin’s wife Ruth and all four members of the sixth family generation all hold central positions in the company’s executive management structure. For companies like Kasto, family is clearly an important ingredient in the company’s success over an incredible 18 decades – but all that means nothing without relentless product development, continuous innovation and working hard to establish long fruitful partnerships with customers and suppliers. Under Armin Stolzer’s watch, Kasto has excelled on all fronts with more than 140,000 sawing machines sold and over 2,400 storage systems installed. Take a look at my article on pages 20-21. Dave Tudor Editorial Director It’s always inspiring to hear about manufacturing companies celebrating anniversary milestones. The key to longevity of course is a relentless drive to innovate, adapting to ever changing market conditions and continuous investment in staff and infrastructure. 2024 represents a huge landmark for German sawing, storage and automation specialist Kasto as it celebrates 180 years in business. Dave Tudor reports. See pages 20-23 Cover story COMMENT/CONTENTS Production Engineering Solutions is published 12 times per year and is distributed free of charge to applicants in the UK meeting the publisher’s criteria. Subscriptions are also available at £80 per annum to UK readers or £148 overseas. Whilst every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publishers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions, no matter how they may arise. Authors’ opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. All rights reserved. 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Circulation Statement Published by: MIT Publishing Limited, Featherstone House, 375 High Street, Rochester, Kent ME1 1DA Tel: 01634 830566 Volume 28 Issue 339 ISSN 1460-3926 EVENTS September 2024 UK Metals Expo NEC, Birmingham, UK 11-12 September 2024 October 2024 Advanced Engineering NEC, Birmingham, UK 30-31 October 2024 October 2024 Machine Building Live National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham, UK 2 October 2024 July 2024 Farnborough International Airshow Farnborough, UK 22-26 July 2024 5 Leicester laser cutting firm secures triple ISO accreditation Laser focus from ETG NEWS MACHINING CENTRES 18 Travelling column machine from DMG Mori is big news Latest Victor HMC offers performance improvements MACHINING 16 New machine tool company hits the ground running SAWING TECHNOLOGY 20 180 years of industrial innovation New circular sawing line for steel distribution EDM 25 Neptune breaks the mould with Sodick TOOLING & WORKHOLDING 27 Fast and stable back working tool holders from Arno New tool for milling drive shaft splines 29 New robotic systems for automating machine tools The fine road ahead for Amada Automation SOFTWARE IN MANUFACTURING 32 Lantek Expert and iQuoting: indispensable at A13 Engineering Precision benefits from insightful MRP Circulation Adept Data Services Ltd T: +44 (0) 800 634 3118 [email protected] Publisher David Rose Editorial Director Dave Tudor T: 01634 825702 [email protected] Deputy Editor Ed Hill T: 01634 825705 [email protected] Production Coordinator Ewa Hodden T: 01634 825703 ehodden@mitpublishing. co.uk Digital Content Coordinator Michael Tyrrell mtyrrell@mitpublishing. co.uk Financial Controller Valerie Prentice [email protected] Sales Manager Tammy Jukes T: 01634 825706 [email protected] Sales Director Andy Morley T: 01634 825701 [email protected] Contacts AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
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