Hot Off the Press

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Record-Setting Robot Sales

North American robot companies sold more robots during the second quarter of 2012 than during any previous quarter since the Robotic Industries Association (RIA) has been tracking such statistics. Sales during the quarter jumped 14 percent in units and 28 percent in value compared to the same quarter in 2011. Orders in the first half of 2012 increased 20 percent in units and 29 percent in value over the same period last year. Driving the boost in sales is orders for resistance-welding robots, up 68 percent through the first half of 2012. More at www.robotics.org/.

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Metalforming Industry Movers & Shakers

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., Cleveland, OH, named John M. Stropki, Jr., executive chairman of the board (he had been chairman, president and CEO of the firm), and Christopher L. Mapes president and CEO, effective December 31, 2012. Mapes has served as the welding-equipment manufacturer’s CEO since September 2011.

Magnetic Products, Inc., Highland, MI, named Bob Wolf regional sales manager for the western United States and Canada. The firm manufactures magnetic and nonmagnetic material-handling products.

Trumpf Inc., Farmington, CT, appointed Shane Simpson regional manager of machine tool sales (laser cutting, punching, combination punch-laser and press-brake equipment).for the mid-Atlantic region of the United States; and Tom Bailey product manager in North America for the firm’s press-brake product line, including the TruBend and BendMaster brands.

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Trumpf Launches Disk-Laser Production in Japan

Yokohama, Japan is home to the newest disk-laser production facility of Trumpf Inc., joining existing laser-production facilities in Schramberg, Germany, and Farmington, CT. The new facility will help the firm meet increased global demand, and better respond to the requirement of customers in Japan and nearby countries. More at www.us.trumpf.com.

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