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February 2010 - GROB a charter member of the Machining Innovations Network

Machining Innovations Network e.V. was founded in early February by twenty-eight charter members from the scientific and political communities. The purpose of the association is to foster cooperation in the development of innovative products, promote the systematic exchange of expertise and information, and develop new business relationships in the international marketplace. GROB-WERKE actively participated in the preparatory arrangements leading to the foundation, and is now a full member of the network.

The list of charter members of this integration and partnership platform for machining technology reads like a who’s who of the machining industry. Many of Europe’s leading machine tool builders have undertaken to support the association’s ambitious objectives. Accordingly, more than 100 industry and technology experts from Germany and abroad attended the inaugural ceremony. Every one of them is committed to improving the interaction between manufacturers, users, and developers for the purpose of introducing innovations in the products and processes.

The most important item on the agenda is the joint development and initial trial of new technologies in metal machining processes, with special emphasis on a wide range of materials, particularly titanium, aluminum, and new alloys. Titanium in particular is a material that is becoming more and more important in the aircraft industry. The objectives of the platform are thus not limited to the traditional building of machinery and plant: they also extend to new, emerging disciplines such as medical equipment, aircraft construction, wind turbine construction, as well as shipbuilding, car manufacturing, and drive system applications.

Access to new markets in international competition is generated automatically as new sectors of industry are tapped. “In today’s business climate, agility and unprecedented speed are essential especially with regard to research and technology”, says Christian Grob, Chief Representative of GROB-WERKE. “This requires comprehensive technical expertise in an enormously broad range of applications. GROB-WERKE has a long tradition of outstanding accomplishments in plant and systems business. The specialist knowledge we have acquired in this sector as well as our experience generally undoubtedly qualifies us to contribute significantly to the work of this newly founded network, in the interests of everyone involved”. 

Besides encouraging technology and development, the network also offers a variety of other activities in marketing and PR. For example, if they wish, partners will be able to cooperate in innovation and research projects, participate in joint stands at trade fairs and industry events as they wish, while still cultivating strategic contacts with networks and partners abroad on their own account through the Machining Innovations Network.