In a landmark event during the Fritz Studer AG annual press conference, Dr Emil Sauter of IWF-ETH Zurich was honoured with the esteemed FRITZ STUDER Award for 2023, recognizing his exceptional contribution to metal grinding processes. The award, established in commemoration of the founder of Fritz Studer AG, a vital member of the United Grinding Group, underscores the organization’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in manufacturing.
Fritz Studer AG, a member of the United Grinding Group established in 1912, is renowned for its expertise in producing high-precision cylindrical grinding machines. Catering to small and medium-sized workpieces, their clientele spans various industries, including Machine Tools, Tool-and-Die, Automotive, Aerospace, Pneumatics/Hydraulics, Electronics, Medical, and Watchmaking. Their annual press conference, “The Sound of STUDER,” showcased Studer’s latest advancements and strategic achievements over the past year.
In his keynote, Jens Bleher, CEO of Studer, reflected on the company’s 111-year legacy of reliability and innovation. He emphasized significant investments in machinery, research, development, and the expansion into software platforms, marking 2023 as one of the most triumphant years in Studer’s history. The commitment to skill development was also highlighted, with Studer’s active participation in WorldSkills Lyon 2024 for the third time.
Sandro B, Chief Sales Officer, shared insights into Studer’s stellar performance in 2023, with Asia leading in sales. Despite global inflation challenges, Studer expanded its market presence and continued to innovate, with the S36 innovation bridging product portfolio gaps and the S100 marking a new entry-level in internal grinding, introduced at EMO Milan 2022.
Daniel Huber, Chief Technology Officer, detailed the technological strides made by Studer, including the launch of CORE, a digital feature that redefines the company’s product lineup. With a new digital platform, four technology groups, and 30 machine lines updated, Studer delivered over 500 machines, emphasizing its dedication to sustainability and energy efficiency. Stephen Stoll, Chief Operating Officer, discussed operational achievements and challenges, including a complex machine mix and supply chain restrictions in early 2023. However, with new investments in the Biel Plant and enhancements to the UCG-Competence Center Spindles, Studer is poised for stable production levels and the introduction of new products in 2024.
A conference highlight was the FRITZ STUDER Award presented to Dr. Sauter for his innovative work using hybrid machine learning models to enhance metal grinding processes. A distinguished panel, including Prof. Dr.-Ing, judged the award. K. Wegener of IWF ETH Zurich, Dr.-Ing. H.-W. Hoffmeister of TU Braunschweig, and Dr.-Ing. F. Fiebelkorn of Fritz Studer AG reflects Studer’s commitment to advancing manufacturing technologies and practices.
The annual press conference celebrated Studer’s past achievements and set the stage for future innovations, with a strong focus on sustainability, technology, and market expansion. Studer remains at the forefront of the industry as the manufacturing world looks forward, driving progress and excellence. Hiya Chakrabarti, Associate Editor of Machine Maker, attended the global press conference held today at Studer Head Quarters in Steffisburg, Switzerland.
