“Large, repeat orders like this are earned over time,” said Ipsen Global CEO Geoffrey Somary. “They reflect consistent equipment quality, responsive service, and deep process expertise, which are especially critical for customers operating in highly regulated, high-stakes manufacturing environments.”

The historic order follows a strong year for Ipsen, driven by sustained demand across commercial aviation, space launch, defense, medical technology, advanced manufacturing, and energy markets.

In 2025, Ipsen recorded a 45% year-over-year increase in new equipment units sold and achieved the second highest level of new equipment proposals in company history, reflecting strong demand heading into 2026.

Most new equipment buyers were repeat customers expanding their furnace fleets, citing consistent quality, reliable service, parts availability, and familiarity with Ipsen systems. New customers increasingly sought to bring heat-treatment processes in-house to improve quality control, reduce costs, and shorten delivery timelines, selecting Ipsen for its process knowledge, proven reliability, and long-term support capabilities.

Ipsen’s Quality at Speed initiative guided investments across manufacturing, service, and customer support throughout 2025. Production capacity increased at the Souderton, Pennsylvania, facility through investments in CNC machine tools while maintaining high quality standards. Aftermarket demand also grew significantly, with hot zone and retrofit orders increasing 26% and calibration services rising 48% year over year.

In parallel, Ipsen continued expanding its Service HUB program while investing in advanced training and certification for field service engineers to strengthen technical expertise, response times, and customer support across North America.

Momentum from 2025 has already carried into the new year. In addition to the record-setting order awarded in January, Ipsen continues testing its next-generation furnace operating system, with a targeted launch planned for later in 2026.

About Ipsen

Ipsen is the global leader in heat-treatment solutions with more than 10,000 operating systems in 70 countries. Through its Global Excellence Centers in Vacuum and Atmosphere Technology, Ipsen delivers innovations that advance thermal processing and help customers achieve their goals. Focused on performance and quality, Ipsen supports commercial heat treaters and customers in many industries including aerospace, automotive, energy and medical. With locations in North America, Europe and Asia, and the largest service team in the industry, Ipsen is committed to providing 360° support for customers worldwide.

The LCRB Series features stamping press-formed inner and outer rings made of heat-treated chromium molybdenum steel sheets. Like other IKO CRBs, the LCRB’s rollers make greater roller contact with the raceways than other bearing types. With this construction and roller arrangement, LCRB Series bearings can have as much as 60% less mass than equivalently sized alternatives, helping designers downsize equipment, maximize operating efficiency and reduce cost. Additional highlights of the LCRB Series include:

• Easy mounting. Built-in flanges allow bolt-on mounting, which eases maintenance and minimizes the risk of mounting errors.
• Fast response. The LCRB’s light weight means less energy is needed to accelerate and decelerate rotation.
• Compact size. Bolt mounting gives the LCRB a lower sectional height when mounted. Additionally, the lack of external flanges provides even more space and weight savings.

Application examples for the LCRB Series include rotary positioning systems, custom seating and warehouse equipment as well as distinct aerospace applications where light weight is a critical requirement. Two versions are available: LCRB 50, weighing 50 grams (1.3 ounces), and the LCRB 70, weighing 62 grams (2.2 ounces).

About IKO

IKO International designs and manufactures quality needle bearings, linear motion rolling guides, precision positioning tables and machine components for many unique manufacturing situations including: cleanrooms, vacuum environments, high-temperature areas and more. IKO products are highly regarded in the worldwide marketplace and the company strives to live up to the inspiration for the name IKO: Innovation, 1/2Know-how and Originality.

Heimatec speed increasers are now available in a complete range designed for popular live tool lathes and Swiss-style machines, offering gear ratios of 1:2, 1:3 and 1:4 with maximum speeds of 48,000 rpm. Design configurations include straight, offset, 90 degree and universal adjustable, while tools can be produced with external or internal coolant. Mounting options include BMT, Swiss-style machine and VDI interfaces to suit a wide range of machine tool setups.

With the growth of medical and other high-precision, high-volume manufacturing and the use of Swiss-style machines, speed increasers have become vital to the machine tool industry. As components get smaller, the cutting tools required also get smaller, necessitating higher rpm to provide maximum performance. Heimatec speeders for Citizen, Tsugami and Star machines are in stock at Platinum Tooling.

Speed increasers for BMT turrets including Nakamura, Miyano, DN Solutions and Haas are also in stock. Additional models are available from factory inventory with short lead times. Engineered for efficiency and precision with the highest quality components, these tools deliver increased productivity, long service life and cost savings for the busy machine shop or OEM production department.

About Platinum Tooling

Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. in Prospect Heights, IL, near Chicago, serves its growing North American customer base with an extensive inventory of machine tool accessories. Its experienced staff provides the most innovative tooling and technology. Platinum Tooling Technologies, Inc. serves the auto, aero, medical, woodworking, composites and other industries, as well as an ever-increasing number of machine tool OEMs, through its network of manufacturers’ representatives. Platinum Tooling is the importer of Heimatec live tools and angle heads, Henninger speeders for milling, Tecnicrafts Swiss-type collets and guide bushings, Hommel + Keller QUICK knurling and marking tools and REV broaching tools in North America.

“We continue to establish new facilities to further ensure customers receive the local service and support they need,” said Dan Janka, president of Mazak Corporation. “For the Phoenix area, our new Technical Center will play a key role in that strategy and will center on the manufacturing needs of the area’s key industrial sectors that include semiconductor, aerospace and defense, electronics and several others.”

“The Phoenix Technical Center will additionally provide local manufacturers access to process and application engineering expertise, training and collaboration opportunities for new manufacturing solution development,” adds Tony Harrod, Sales Manager of Mazak Arizona, New Mexico and Southern California.

The technical center houses a call center, applications engineers and sales and service support personnel. It also provides for customer programming classes, machine demonstrations, test cuts and machining system run-offs, as well as regularly scheduled Mazak DISCOVER technology and education events.

With the addition of the Phoenix Technical Center, Mazak’s service and support network grows to six Technical Centers along with eight Technology Centers across North America that work closely with local manufacturers and focus on their specific areas’ major industries.

About Mazak Corporation

Mazak Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of productive machine tool solutions. Committed to being a partner to customers with innovative technology, its world-class facility in Florence, Kentucky produces over 70 models of turning centers, Multi-Tasking machines and vertical machining centers, including 5-axis models, Hybrid Additive processing machines and Swiss Turning Machines. Continuously investing in manufacturing technology allows the Mazak iSMART Factory to be the most advanced and efficient in the industry, providing high-quality and reliable products. Mazak maintains eight Technology Centers across North America to provide local hands-on applications, service and sales support to customers.

“Especially in future-oriented industries such as the aerospace, energy or rail sector, producers must be able to efficiently process large and, above all, particularly long components. We have recently received many more requests with these exact requirements,” reports Daniel Demlang, technical leader at Zimmermann. To meet the needs of the market, the machine manufacturer developed this new machine series, the FZG, in line with customer specifications. For this line of machines, the engineers relied on the innovative concept of the thermo-symmetrical design, which has already proven its worth with the Zimmermann machine lines FZP and FZU. However, the engineers redesigned its base structure. “We lowered the machine onto ground level, enabling the portal to be moved horizontally in almost any desired length,” explains Mr. Demlang. Zimmerman can adjust this design for any custom application. Therefore, the line is suited for processing complete components, such as wing structures for the aviation industry, entire railway wagon side sections for the rail sector, tanks in the energy sector, exterior components for the aerospace industry as well as components for the defense industry.

The proven modular system from Zimmermann acts as the base structure of the new FZG line. It offers many different length and height variants as well as extensive equipment options, such as process cooling with minimum quantity, lubrication or an onboard movable vacuum dust extraction system for abrasive materials and plastics. An onboard movable tool changer is standard. The energy supply and covers are recessed into the floor.

“The thermo-symmetrical design makes the machine less vulnerable in adverse environmental conditions,” continues Cornelius Kiesel, president of Zimmermann in America. The idea behind this is that incurring thermal influences can be substantially absorbed by the machine structure itself. “To achieve this, we appropriately designed and intelligently arranged all structural and drive unit components, guides and other components responsible for accuracy, for all the machines in our extended portfolio. This way, the structure can expand in non-critical directions,” says Kiesel. The centrally guided Z-slide of the portal in double-bridge construction makes the machine particularly stable. By using this design, Zimmermann achieves very high rigidity. Since there isn’t any possibility of one-sided temperature rise, accuracy is greatly increased, thus making the machine line suitable for very high-precision applications.

“For us, this combination of thermo-symmetrical machine design and the modified base structure was a logical next step,” says Mr. Demlang. Because the core machine relies on proven technology, this development was possible in a relatively short timeframe. Additionally, the synergetic benefits of the FZG, due to the existing portfolio, also have a positive impact on the profitability of the machine.

“Dennis comes to us with the ambition and drive our growing organization values, along with a strong technical background and a process-driven mindset that aligns well with our customers’ demands,” said Dale Bowden, National Sales Manager at Ransohoff.

Byrne has spent his entire career in manufacturing, bringing a deep understanding of industrial processes and customer-driven solutions. He offers a strong technical foundation and a proven record of sales success.

“I’ve spent my entire career in manufacturing, working closely with customers to support process-driven solutions,” said Byrne. “I’m excited to apply that experience to help Ransohoff continue delivering effective, technically driven cleaning solutions.”

In his new role, Byrne will focus on expanding Ransohoff’s industrial and geographic market presence while supporting customers with technically driven cleaning solutions.

About Ransohoff

Ransohoff, a division of Cleaning Technologies Group, is a leading manufacturer of industrial parts cleaning systems and solutions. With over 110 years of experience, Ransohoff provides innovative cleaning technologies to companies across a wide range of industries.

Cleaning Technologies Group, LLC is a world leader in providing innovative cleaning and waste minimization technologies to precision and industrial manufacturing markets. CTG is comprised of Ransohoff and Blackstone~NEY Ultrasonics located in Cincinnati, Ohio; and CTG Asia located in Suzhou, China. The Group is the premier provider of high technology, environmentally friendly parts-cleaning and waste-minimization equipment and services to the global marketplace. CTG LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of NM Group Global, LLC.

NM Group Global LLC is a holding company for a growing group of manufacturing firms with a global reach for sourcing and marketing. Founded in 2002 with the purchase of National Machinery LLC, a world leader in the development and manufacture of cold forming machines, process technology, and aftermarket services. National Machinery, founded in 1874, is headquartered in Tiffin, Ohio with service centers and sales offices throughout the world.

The Innovation and Technology Center is being built as a fully integrated environment to foster advanced manufacturing processes, engineering collaboration and real-world application development. It is designed to be a place where customers can work side-by-side with Mitsui Seiki engineers, technology experts, and solutions partners to support low-volume product development, production implementation, part reprocessing and optimization, to solve manufacturing challenges, and chart the path ahead. The Tech Center will provide hands-on access to Mitsui Seiki’s latest precision machining platforms, advanced processes, automation strategies, and supporting technologies. It will operate as a working hub for application development, process optimization, and collaborative problem solving, bringing together machine tools, automation, software, metrology, and engineering expertise under one roof.

This initiative represents more than the addition of a new facility. It reflects Mitsui Seiki’s continued focus on creating tangible customer value through cutting edge technology, strong partnerships, and manufacturing excellence. The Tech Center will play a key role in supporting emerging applications, strengthening customer relationships, and demonstrating the many ways high precision manufacturing continues to evolve.

Construction will be completed this Spring 2026. Additional milestones will be shared as the project progresses with an Open House planned following completion. Mitsui Seiki USA looks forward to welcoming customers, partners and industry stakeholders to the Tech Center. As manufacturing demands continue to advance, this investment positions the company to support customers not only today but well into the future, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in advanced and precision manufacturing.

“The Innovation and Technology Center reflects how we believe advanced manufacturing should work. It is collaborative, application-driven, and grounded in real production needs,” said Daniel Cleary, President & CEO, Mitsui Seiki USA. “This investment ensures our customers are not just buying high performance machines, but gaining a long-term partner in process, performance, and precision.”

We have further developed our precision gearbox series using this technology. The result is the PSNpro, PSFNpro, and PSBNpro series, which set new standards in dynamic applications. In particular, cycle torque has increased significantly, enabling the pro series to rival and even surpass spur gearboxes. For applications involving frequent changes in load and direction, the pro gearboxes are therefore the obvious choice from the Neugart portfolio.

The pro gearboxes utilize the advantages of helical teeth to achieve excellent synchronisation. Transmission fluctuations between the input and output remain extremely low throughout the rotation of the output shaft. This visibly improves process quality and minimizes chatter marks in woodworking machines, for example. At the same time, the gearboxes operate at a particularly low noise level, even under high loads. This improves the system’s acoustic properties and stabilizes the machine’s overall performance.

Another area of development focused on reducing mass inertia, particularly in small frame sizes. Thanks to the consistent implementation of the modular principle, the input stage is now from frame size 064 smaller than the output stage. This reduces the rotating mass, enabling faster acceleration and braking processes, as well as improving control quality in highly dynamic axes.

Our pro gearboxes will be available from January 2026. We offer the usual gear ratios, sizes, and options for the pro series – without compromise. Even a factory-mounted pinion on the output shaft, ideal for pinion-rack drives, is included as standard.

With the PSNpro, PSFNpro and PSBNpro gearboxes, we are opening a new chapter in precision gear technology. Combining our many years of experience in drive technology with innovation-driven development, we provide future-proof support for mechanical and plant engineering, robotics, and linear technology. This enables us to create reliable solutions that meet the requirements of modern drive technology and help our customers achieve higher productivity in the long term.

About Neugart

Neugart GmbH is a leading global manufacturer of high-quality gearboxes and drive systems for automation technology. Since its foundation in 1928, the company has been headquartered in Kippenheim, Germany, and is now represented worldwide by its own subsidiaries and a dense network of distributors. Neugart stands for the highest quality, reliability and innovation and has established itself as a competent partner for customers from a wide range of industries.

Cristiano brings more than 25 years of experience in the manufacturing and machine tool industry. Most recently, he spent 15 years as Sales Manager at Romi’s headquarters in Brazil, where he led commercial strategy, market development initiatives, and sales teams, with direct accountability for business results.

Throughout his career, Cristiano has built a strong professional foundation that combines technical expertise, engineering knowledge, business management, and commercial leadership. His approach has consistently emphasized execution, close customer engagement, and sustainable, long-term growth.

In his new role, Cristiano will play a central role in strengthening Romi’s local presence in the United States and Canada, expanding strategic partnerships, and ensuring strong alignment between North American operations and Romi’s global strategy.

Founded in 1930, Romi is the market leader in machine tool sales in Brazil and maintains a strong international presence, delivering advanced technology, innovation, and industrial solutions to customers worldwide.

About Romi BW Machine Tools Ltd

Romi BW Machine Tools Ltd is based in Erlanger, KY, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brazilian-based ROMI SA, serving the USA and Canada. The company offers customers innovative and robust machine tools, including CNC lathes, turning centers, and vertical machining centers. All the key parts used to build a Romi machine tool, including the base castings, are made at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Santa Barbara d’Oeste, Brazil. This control over all key components allows Romi to build exceptionally rigid, accurate, high-performance solutions.

Romi BW Machine Tools Ltd, also known as Romi USA, maintains a showroom and complete parts and service department at its Erlanger location. Its machine tools are available through a network of direct sales personnel and regional distributors.

About Romi S.A.

Founded in 1930, Romi S.A. is the market leader in the Brazilian machinery and industrial equipment market and a major cast iron and machined parts manufacturer.

Romi manufactures machine tools, including mechanical lathes, CNC lathes, turning centers, vertical milling machines, vertical lathes, heavy-duty and extra heavy-duty lathes, and horizontal milling machines. The company also manufactures plastic injection molding and plastic blow molding machines, as well as nodular and vermicular grey cast iron supplied rough or machined.

The company’s products and services are commercialized globally and are used in diversified industrial segments, including light and heavy automotive, agricultural machinery, aerospace, medical, capital goods, consumer goods, tooling, hydraulic, and wind power.