A difficult year is coming to an end for the sheet metal working industry. At the end of 2008, shortly after the EuroBLECH show and after years of being able to report positive figures, the industry saw a strong economic downturn. As a result of the global financial crisis and a struggling automotive industry, many companies had to accept substantial drops in sales figures for 2009.

This however, is not the first time that this industry sector has had to deal with a downturn in the economy and a large majority of companies seem to be well prepared and able to operate in less favourable economic circumstances. Participation at the leading show of the industry appears to be beyond question for both large and small companies. With just under one year to go, more than 1000 companies have already reserved their stand space...

From 27 – 29 October 2009, Kielce became the focal point for Poland’s sheet metal working industry. 1,200 predominantly Polish trade visitors gained valuable insight into the industry over the three days of BLECH Polska 2009, visiting the stands of the 60 exhibitors from 12 countries. A large majority of exhibitors were manufacturers and suppliers from outside Poland, mainly from Germany and Italy who used the exhibition to make and develop business contacts...

The days when sheet metal was only available from the steel trade in coils or cut-to-length blanks, at most chamfered, are long since gone. The trade has now discovered the sales potential offered through further processing of their materials and for suppliers of machine tools, this opens up a very promising market.

Depending on the target group and customer structure, SSCs are expanding into the market occupied by traditional metal working factories and fabricators. SSCs are able to benefit from the proximity of the warehouse to production. Existing plant facilities can also be more fully utilised and customers have one central contact...

In August 2009 Mercedes-Benz Cars reported highly positive sales results for the Asia-Pacific region (+17%), China (+52%) and Canada (+20%). Sales figures for the USA were, however, 10% lower than in August 2008...

The Böckler Institut IMK forecasts only very moderate improvements in international trade and a German economy that will stabilise at an overall lower level...

Schuler Automation has now extended its range of modular coil feeding lines with the addition of the new compact C series. These lines are particularly suitable for smaller coil strip widths of 300 to 800 millimetres and lower capacities of three to eight metric tons. As a result, small and medium-sized businesses can now also benefit from the advantages of this low-cost modular system. The new C series was developed to round off Schuler’s existing range of standardised modular coil feeding lines in long space design for the lower range of coil strip widths from 300 to 800 millimetres and capacities of three to eight metric tons...

The FSV vehicle concept, jointly developed by materials experts from the WorldAutoSteel Association and their partners EDAG, Quantum Technologies and SFCV/Tongji, has reached its second phase, now that the engineering study has been finalised...

Prime Advantage, a buying consortium for mid-sized industrial manufacturers, announced the findings of its fourth Prime Advantage Group Outlook (GO) Survey in early September 2009. The study results reflect a growing sense of optimism...

To ensure straightforward implementation of this directive in the engineering field, EPLAN Software & Service (part of the Friedhelm Loh Group) has developed a special training and consultancy package. From 29th December 2009 the directive will apply to the whole of Europe. It will then also cover mechanical engineering manufacturers producing only part systems or components, as well as plant operators who themselves implement modifications...

Aluminium is a popular material in automotive design as Norsk Hyrdo pointed out at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). The company is supplying lightweight aluminium components and systems for many of the new, fuel-efficient cars. Ten of the models made by Audi, BMW, Opel, Peugeot and Renault have been built using Hydro aluminium components and systems...

After the substantial fall in sales of robots in 2009, these are expected to pick up again by an average of 15% per year between 2010 and 2012, to reach a level of over 100,000 units. The strong decline in 2009 and slow recovery will mean the operating stock more or less stagnates...

'Stainless steel in contact with other metallic materials' is the title of a new brochure which can be donwloaded free from the website of the European Stainless Steel Development Organisation Euro Inox...

In co-operation with the Technical University of Vienna, Trumpf have developed an innovative process which enables brittle materials to be formed on a press brake. Thanks to this LUGB process, the range of applications for these materials can be considerably extended and the process could even influence the design of future press brakes, said Trumpf in a recent press release...