MMT Takes in the Beauty of Milan and the Magic of Machining

Earlier this month MMT headed to Italy to attend the EMO machine tool show, and not only did I take in some beautiful sights, attend a few amazing events and see some innovative technology, I bumped into two North American mold builders doing the same!

Brian Bendig, president of 2015 Leadtime Leader Award Winner Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing and Tim Peterson, VP of Industrial Molds Group both see tremendous value in heading overseas to attend technology events. 

The big thing for Brian is partnerships and relationships. So, you have to get out and go see your customers and suppliers, whereever they may be. And trade shows are a convenient place to see many at one time. "Anyone can buy a machine from anyone, but if there is not a relationship, it doesn’t mean much. You have to find out how many dollars they reinvest into R&D and new product development, training and customer service."

Tim was  invited by the Italian Trade Agency to attend EMO. His my main purpose was to check out five-axis equipment and new technology. Additive manufacturing, both standalone and add-on systems, grabbed his attention too. He's also a big believer in seeing what is new and different in other markets besides North America.

"Sometimes the technology I see overseas applies to my markets in ways that aren’t visible at first. I believe people tend to keep doing what works today and then miss the 'next thing,' or perhaps fall for the next thing because they don’t have true picture of how fast the technology is changing." 

Both Brian and Tim agree that networking at these international events is priceless.

Click on the image below for a taste of what EMO had to offer: