United Grinding Group, GF Machining Solutions become United Machining Solutions
With the acquisition of the GF Machining Solutions Division of Georg Fischer AG announced in October 2024 now complete, the United Grinding Group expands its portfolio to 15 brands. The new group, United Machining Solutions, has total sales of more than $1.5 billion, about 5,000 employees, and 50+ global locations.
Stephan Nell, CEO of the new group and the United Grinding Group, says, “It’s rare for two companies to complement each other as well as United Grinding and GF Machining Solutions. This applies not only to our product portfolios, our international alignment, and our understanding of quality, but also to the culture and mindset of our employees.”
Ivan Filisetti, CEO of GF Machining Solutions and a member of the new group’s management board, says, “Our products do not overlap; they complement each other. We share the same culture with a strong commitment to innovation and digitalization.”
United Grinding retains the brands Mägerle, Blohm, Jung, Studer, Schaudt, Mikrosa, Walter, EWAG, and IRPD in grinding, tool machining, and additive manufacturing. United Machining brands Agie Charmilles, Charmilles, Mikron Mill, Liechti, Step TEC, and System 3R include machines for EDM, high-speed milling, and laser technology, plus spindle production and automation solutions.
The management team at United Machining Solutions consists of Nell, Filisetti, Michael Horn, and Heinz Poklekowski. Nell has spent 22 years within the group. Filisetti, affiliated with GF Machining Solutions for 23 years, remains CEO of United Machining. Horn is responsible for operations and IT. Poklekowski, a group member for 35 years, most recently as United Grinding Group CFO, will assume responsibility for finance and group services. https://www.gfms.com; https://www.grinding.com
Appointments, promotions, hires
Tomoaki Hirano succeeds Tom Haag as president of KYOCERA SGS Precision Tools (KSPT). Hirano most recently was EVP and chief strategy officer.
Haag has been an integral part of SGS Tool Co. since 1984, when his father, Jack Haag, acquired full ownership of the business. Tom was appointed president in 2000 and guided the company through substantial growth, technical innovation, and improved operational performance. Following the acquisition of SGS by KYOCERA Corp. in 2016, Haag continued his leadership as president of KSPT, guiding the integration of the two organizations and expanding KSPT’s reach into new markets.
Hirano brings more than 25 years of experience within the KYOCERA Group in strategic planning, cross-border leadership, and customer-focused innovation. https://www.kyocera-sgstool.com
Cloud-based platform ProShop ERP appointed Alison Hawkins as CEO. She previously served as ProShop’s COO and CFO and now joins co-founders Paul Van Metre, Kelsey Heikoop, and Matt Carrico to further the company’s product innovation. https://proshoperp.com
Clinton (Clint) Reilmann joined as CFO of Wall Colmonoy USA, where he’ll work with management of all domestic divisions – Alloy Products, Oklahoma City, Aerobraze Cincinnati, and Franklin Precision Castings. https://www.wallcolmonoy.com
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