STUDER, the Swiss manufacturer of precision cylindrical grinding machines, has concluded a strong 2024 financial year, marked by a solid market performance and significant technological advancements. The company’s growth was driven by innovations and the continued improvement of operational efficiency.
The annual press conference was streamed live from the Fritz Studer AG studio in Steffisburg, where CEO Jens Bleher shared the company’s progress with international media. He noted that despite challenging economic and geopolitical conditions, STUDER’s diverse product portfolio allowed the company to achieve growth across multiple markets, including automotive, tool and die, aerospace, and machine tool industries.
CEO Jens Bleher, who has led the company since 2018 and will transition to COO of the UNITED GRINDING Group in April 2025, handed over the CEO role to Sandro Bottazzo, the company’s long-serving Chief Strategy Officer. Bleher emphasized that the focus during the past year had been on increasing productivity, cost management, and introducing innovative technologies to ensure STUDER’s continued competitiveness on the global stage. Sandro Bottazzo echoed these sentiments, highlighting that STUDER had expanded its market share in several regions and remained committed to reinforcing its leadership in the universal cylindrical grinding machine sector.
In 2024, STUDER’s Customer Care division saw remarkable success, achieving record sales and further strengthening the company’s reputation for excellent service. This success was driven by the expansion of international and multilingual service teams, which helped boost the performance of the spare parts business, maintenance, machine overhauls, and conversions.
While North America, Asia, and several European regions experienced strong sales, Central Europe, particularly Germany, did not meet expectations. Despite this, the company’s customer service and after-sales support reached new heights, ensuring high capacity utilization and customer satisfaction.
STUDER’s broad product portfolio continued to contribute to its success, particularly within the CNC universal cylindrical grinding machine segment. The S33 emerged as the best-selling machine, followed by the S31 and favoritCNC models. The premium S41 also performed solidly. While sales in production and conventional machines did not meet expectations, the company remains optimistic about future growth driven by its flagship products and innovative solutions in grinding technology.
Innovation continued to be at the core of STUDER’s strategy in 2024. The company introduced several new developments, including the latest version of the favoritCNC universal cylindrical grinding machine. This new iteration features advanced FANUC controls and a “Conventional Mode,” making it easier for customers to transition from traditional machines to CNC systems. The machine also offers automation options and more powerful grinding spindles to enhance its functionality.
Another significant innovation was the new universal W-axis for the S33 and S31 machines, which automates the grinding of various workpiece lengths without the need for operator intervention. This development, along with direct force measurement capabilities, enables maximum precision and repeatability, ensuring small clamping forces for delicate parts. STUDER also made strides in expanding the applications of its SmartJet® coolant system and WireDress® dressing process, both of which have seen increasing success within the industry due to their efficiency and sustainability benefits.
In 2024, STUDER’s operations division focused on optimizing internal processes and expanding its spindle expertise. The company invested in an automated spindle shaft production facility and consolidated its assembly processes, incorporating state-of-the-art inspection and testing equipment. These upgrades allow STUDER to produce spindles of the highest quality and continue advancing its leadership in spindle technology across the UNITED GRINDING Group.
STUDER also made significant strides in enhancing its electrical pre-assembly capabilities, enabling the company to produce custom cable sets and fully wired control cabinets more efficiently. Additionally, the company completed intensive planning for the redesign and automation of its internal logistics infrastructure, with implementation already underway and commissioning planned for December 2025.
STUDER’s commitment to sustainability was evident in its efforts to reduce energy consumption, including the transition to LED lighting throughout its operations. The company also replaced outdated operational systems with energy-efficient devices, which are expected to significantly reduce energy usage. Furthermore, several digitalization projects were launched across various operational areas, helping STUDER unlock additional efficiency potential.
CEO Jens Bleher concluded the conference by acknowledging the critical role that well-trained and motivated employees play in the company’s success. With over 11% of the workforce engaged in vocational training, STUDER remains committed to fostering a culture of innovation and skill development, ensuring the long-term growth and success of the company in the technology sector.
