Walter USA Opens New North American Technology Center

Business partners, customers and other dignitaries join the Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 40,000 sq ft facility that will provide technical knowledge and education on cutting tool processes and operations to customers, channel partners and employees.

Walter USA, LLC (Waukesha,WI), a leading cutting tool manufacturer, hosted 150 people for the inauguration of its new North American Technology Center on October 5, 2012. In attendance was Wisconsin Lt. Gov.Rebecca Kleefisch in addition to distributors, business partners and end users of Walter product.

Welcome addresses were provided by Muff Tanriverdi, the president of Walter Americas and Mirko Merlo, the president of Walter AG (Tübingen, Germany). Both speeches cited the history of Walter and the investment in the industry that the company is making with the new center.

In her address, Lt. Gov. Kleefisch cited Wisconsin’s efforts to promote manufacturing and to involve young students in learning trades while praising the company for its investment in both the industry and the state. The inauguration also featured a presentation by Peter Eelman, the vice president of the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT; McLean, VA) who spoke to the success of the recent IMTS 2012 trade show and the continued growth in the country’s manufacturing sector.

In addition to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, a ceremonial tree-planting was held. The tree planting, a company tradition, symbolizes a new beginning and growth.

The 40,000 sq ft Technology Center represents a $2.5 million investment designed to help educate customers, channel partners and employees on Walter product offerings while providing the cornerstone to further enhance Walter Multiply, the manufacturer’s new multi-level service that transfers technical knowledge across a range of sectors in order to increase productivity.

According to Tanriverdi, “Walter Multiply is a brand of competence that will provide service support to our customers in the areas of planning, manufacturing, logistics, maintenance and training. And this tech center will provide the means to arrive at tailor-made programs with the customer in mind.”

The new North American Technology Center provides a fully integrated machine shop for demonstrations and process development for components involving real-world applications and incorporates training and auditorium facilities to provide a resource for customers. It will also house strategic management and administration offices for Walter Americas.

According to Mark Hemmerling, the director of marketing for Walter USA, “The Technology Center will bring a wealth of knowledge to the market and to our customers, particularly those that do not have the resources to test and develop on their own.”

Tanriverdi added, “Our commitment to customer service and support has always been high and this expansion only reinforces that mission.”

Walter USA, LLC offers an extensive line up of cutting tools for milling, drilling, turning, boring and specialized tooling for unique applications through its Walter Valenite, Walter Titex and Walter Prototyp brands, as well as multi-level service programs through its Walter Multiple brand. Headquartered in Waukesha, the tool manufacturer has a strong network of distributors and field engineers across North America. The Walter name is synonymous with productivity, thanks to more than 80 years of developing cutting tools and inserts that set new standards in production. www.walter-tools.com/us