FOCUS ON BENDING to managing multiple machines, including those integrated with robotics. The technology enables rather than replaces them.
“ They love the machines,” added Willems.“ They don’ t see automation as a threat, but as a tool that makes their job easier, more interesting and more rewarding.”
This cultural shift has helped Penn Elcom to build a high-performance team from a diverse pool of talent; proof that smart automation can elevate people, as much as production.
Designing for automation
A key success factor has been the company’ s willingness to adapt product design for better manufacturability.
Bent products at Penn Elcom.
“ We don’ t see [ the Salvagnini technology ] as a constraint,” said Parda.“ We see it as an opportunity to simplify. We’ ve reengineered dozens of products to suit panel bending, and we’ re saving material, reducing welds and improving rigidity.”
One standout example is the PBX delivery box. Originally a heavy, multi-part, welded product, it has now been reimagined as a flat-packable, bent-only design made entirely on the P4 panel bender. With demand surging, Penn Elcom is evaluating new automation to meet future volumes.
“ What makes the Penn Elcom case notable isn’ t just the technology, it’ s the mindset. The company has proved that automation isn’ t the enemy of flexibility, but its enabler. It’ s not a replacement for people, but a tool to make them more effective. It doesn’ t require perfect conditions, just the willingness to rethink how things are done,” Salvagnini told ISMR.
“ Salvagnini helped us to become skilled,” says Willems.“ We’ re not the fanciest workshop, but we’ re one of the smartest. And now, when we ask‘ Can we make this?’, the answer is almost always yes …..”
What of the future? More of the same, said Penn Elcom, but smarter. With plans to expand automation further in Hastings and replicate the model in China, the manufacturer is committed to scaling without compromise.
As Willems concluded:“ For anyone still bending the old way, there’ s a whole world of opportunity out there. You just need to look at the machines and believe in what they can do....” n
Panel bending at Penn Elcom.
A Penn Elcom PBX sheet metal delivery box.
The B3. ATA press brake is equipped with automatic tool adjusters for upper and lower tools.
www. penn-elcom. com
www. salvagninigroup. com
ISMR December 2025 / January 2026 | ismr. net | 39