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Grinding North America solution to a problem , we mean it .” This model of partnering with customers from pre-sales technical clearances and process development across the entire lifecycle of the machine is critically important and is how United Grinding North America has built partnerships with top global manufacturers over decades . Markus continues : “ We have almost 40 factory-trained field service technicians strategically placed across the US , Canada , and Mexico , and we maintain a healthy inventory of spare parts right here in Ohio . This helps ensure when a customer needs our help , we have the personnel and equipment to get their machine back to peak condition as fast as possible .”
To provide high-level solutions quickly and effectively , United Grinding North America relies heavily on its team of engineering specialists . As Markus discusses : “ There ’ s a lot of expertise here in Miamisburg . We have engineers and managers who have been with us for over 20 years - I ’ ve been here for 24 – we just had an applications manager retire after more than 50 years with the company . There are experts in every stage of the design , testing , and manufacturing process , so there ’ s always someone you can go to with even the most specific requests . Expertise and experience in the field is invaluable in this industry , which is why we ’ ve recently made major investments into our apprenticeship program .
“ Like everyone in the manufacturing world , we often struggle to find the right people in-house . I come from Germany originally , and it was an apprenticeship that helped launch my career and bring me into the manufacturing industry . I learned all the basic skills you need to get started , and it was one of the most formative experiences of my career , so it was important to me that we prioritize these programs going forward .
“ We ’ ve just signed on for our second year of apprenticeships . We had four join us in 2023 , and we ’ ve added four more this year . If the program proves successful , we may even start taking on additional apprentices in the future . We have a lot of experienced engineers coming up for retirement , so now is definitely the time to invest in the future of our workforce , while we still have amazing people on our team who can help them learn .”
Prioritizing its people is just one way in which United Grinding remains proactive . The company has big plans for the coming years , as Markus reveals : “ In the future , I would love to see United Grinding start building machines in the US again . It ’ s a dream of mine , to bring manufacturing back to North America in a meaningful way . With the support and investment of our partners in Europe , working business to business , I see a path forward in that regard . I believe that the closer we are to the manufacturing process , the
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closer we are to the customer . They can see us building something with their own eyes . There ’ s a good case for expanding our manufacturing footprint here , increasing volume , and driving customer requirements to the market . There will always be challenges , new software , new materials , but these are hurdles that United Grinding is in a strong position to clear ,” he concludes . ■
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