According to Deloitte’s 2023 report, 84% of global business leaders believe that economic growth can coexist with sustainability goals. However, achieving this balance requires a mindset that ensures every process aligns with the broader objectives. Glenn Nordh, Production Unit Director at Sandvik Coromant, a specialist in metal-cutting tools and manufacturing solutions, explores how building positive habits is essential for creating a successful and resilient industry.
Habits are often overlooked because they become second nature once established. However, developing effective manufacturing habits demands a proactive approach that takes into account the entire value chain. This approach requires not only a commitment to improving business, customer, and environmental outcomes but also equipping teams with the right tools, technologies, and partnerships to make a positive impact.
For instance, the Sandvik Coromant Center in Mebane, North Carolina, holds regular quarterly meetings with cross-functional teams to review equipment data and identify areas for process improvement. By leveraging this data and employing advanced technologies like CGTech’s VERICUT Force module for CNC machining simulations, they achieved a 23% reduction in cycle times and enhanced tool life. This initiative not only boosts productivity but also minimizes waste and conserves energy, benefiting both the company and the environment.
This focus on fostering positive habits is integral to Sandvik Coromant’s overall vision of a manufacturing industry that performs efficiently today while preparing for future challenges. The company’s “Manufacturing Wellness” mindset outlines eight key habits designed to help manufacturers grow sustainably. These habits include embracing new technology, utilizing data effectively, investing in workforce development, and forming strategic partnerships.
Manufacturing Wellness is built on the principle that sustainable manufacturing is an ongoing journey, not a fixed destination. Much like achieving a state of health, it involves a continuous commitment to improvement and adaptability to changing conditions.
This concept is not new to Sandvik Coromant. Though the Manufacturing Wellness initiative was formally introduced in 2023 as part of the company’s refreshed brand identity, it aligns with Sandvik Coromant’s long-standing dedication to innovation and sustainability since its inception in 1942.
Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce
Sandvik Coromant’s commitment to future-readiness has been evident throughout its history. Glenn Nordh, who grew up in a family closely tied to the company, shares that this legacy has inspired generations. Starting his own career as a special tools designer 18 years ago, he benefited from extensive learning and mentorship opportunities within the organization, including guidance from seasoned industry professionals. This top-down approach to employee development ensures that all staff are encouraged to build learning habits, supporting their growth and filling future job openings with skilled, knowledgeable candidates.
Now serving as the Production Unit Director at the Mebane Center, Nordh participates in outreach programs aimed at cultivating the next generation of talent. One such initiative is the recent “Girls Take Over Tech” event, where 65 female students from Alamance Community College’s WISDEM club interacted with successful women in manufacturing, including industry figures like Meaghan Ziemba of the “Mavens of Manufacturing” podcast and Veronica Messersmith, Sandvik Coromant’s Americas President.
The Value of Strategic Partnerships
Strong partnerships play a crucial role in promoting Manufacturing Wellness. These relationships create mutual learning opportunities and support manufacturers early in their sustainability journey.
Sandvik Coromant actively collaborates with customers and partners to foster positive manufacturing habits, encouraging manufacturers to assess their current practices against the Manufacturing Wellness framework and use this comparison to map a path towards a more digital, resilient, and eco-friendly future. With its extensive experience in the industry, Sandvik Coromant provides practical support through custom tooling solutions, technologies like the Sustainability Analyser (which helps reduce energy use and carbon emissions), and technical training at the Sandvik Coromant Academy.
While it might seem challenging to pursue both economic growth and improved sustainability, adopting a habit-focused mindset that considers the entire value chain can lead to a thriving, resilient, and forward-looking industry.
In collaboration with its customers and partners, Sandvik Coromant leads efforts towards a more sustainable future by offering advanced tooling solutions for the world’s engineering industries. With over 80 years of expertise in metal-cutting and machining, the company turns each challenge into an opportunity for innovation and progressive solutions. Committed to promoting sustainability, efficiency, and growth, Sandvik Coromant is a part of the global industrial engineering group Sandvik, shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.
