News, appointments, promotions for May 2025

Founded in 1950 by Charles T. Jorgensen, Jorgensen Conveyor and Filtration Solutions is celebrating its 75th year of manufacturing innovation as a single source for integrated conveyor, filtration, and chip processing systems.

Originally a manufacturer of overhead conveyors, Jorgensen pivoted to metal belt conveyors following requests from local machine tool builders and has been continuously serving the machine tool industry since. Among its innovations are the EcoFilter filtration conveyor, MunchMan hinged-steel dual-belt conveyor, and FlexFiltration featuring PermaClean coolant tank systems. All provide chip and coolant handling solutions contributing to sustainable manufacturing operations.

“From its beginnings, Jorgensen has maintained a commitment to the continuous improvement of its products, services, and manufacturing techniques,” says former owner and grandson of the founder, Chuck D’Amico.

“With continued investments in production operations and a solid ongoing business plan in place along with steadfast employee dedication, the next 75 years and beyond look bright for Jorgensen,” says Karl Kleppek, current company president.

In 2024 Jorgensen transitioned to 100% employee ownership within Innovance, the holding company for a portfolio of five employee-owned manufacturing brands in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The purchase joined Jorgensen, ALMCO, Lou-Rich, Mass Finishing Inc., and Panels Plus. https://www.jorgensenconveyors.com

Mazak expands sales and service support in Florida

Premier Engineering LLC will operate from the Mazak Florida Technical Center in Orlando to better respond to the needs of manufacturers in the region. Since 1992, Premier Engineering has provided sales and service of Mazak CNC machines in Georgia, and now its territory will expand to include Florida. https://www.mazak.com; https://premierengineering.com

Appointments

SMW Autoblok, a global provider of chucks, stationary workholding, automation, electronics, tooling, and custom engineered solutions for manufacturing, promoted John Andrick to sales lead for the company’s automation and electronics division, SMW Electronics, responsible for covering all states in North America. He’ll lead the U.S. market launch of SMW Electronics’ advanced technology solutions. https://www.smwautoblok.com

Markus Stolmar, president and CEO of United Grinding North America Inc., a subsidiary of the United Grinding Group, was elected to the AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology board of directors. AMT represents U.S.-based providers of manufacturing technology. Stolmar joins newly elected AMT chairman of the board Michael Cicco, president and CEO of FANUC America Corp. https://www.amtonline.org; https://www.fanucamerica.com; https://www.grinding.com

Reader Precision Solutions, a machining and contract manufacturing company based in southeast Wisconsin, promoted Steve Dues to vice president of engineering. Dues, with Reader for more than a decade, previously served as the senior manufacturing engineer.

Dues was instrumental in the company’s execution of crucial engineering support during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 when Reader’s clients were chosen to aid in the production of ventilator components for the Ford Motor Co. and GE Healthcare Ventilator Project. https://readerprecision.com