PEOPLE WATCH
UCIMU elects new President
Barbara Colombo has been elected as the new President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE , the Italian machine tool , robot and automation system manufacturers ’ association , for the two-year period 2020-2021 .
Managing director of FICEP Spa ( Gazzada Schianno , Varese ), a three-generation , familyowned machine tool manufacturer for steel construction , sheet metal working and hot forging , Barbara Colombo has been actively engaged in the association for a long time . In 2008 , she was appointed as a member of
New strategy for Ursviken Group
“ The Board of Directors has initiated several actions to boost the development of the Ursviken Group . The strategy aims to make the best possible use of the strengths and potential of the two industrial entities of the Group , Ursviken Technology and Pivatic , and to strengthen our competitive position in the markets ,” commented sheet metal machine tool specialist , Ursviken .
As part of this strategy , Jan Tapanainen ( pictured above ) has been nominated as CEO of Pivatic Oy . He will report directly to the Board of the Ursviken Group . Mr . Tapanainen has over 17 years of international experience in the sheet metal machine tool industry . Mika Virtanen and the management team of Pivatic , as well as Jamie Sims of Ursviken Inc ., will report to Jan Tapanainen . Tomas Johansson will focus on his role as CEO of Ursviken Technology AB .
In Autumn 2020 , the strategies of Ursviken and Pivatic were updated and both companies are now looking for significant growth after the COVID-19 epidemic . In concert with the new strategy , Pivatic is developing new innovative solutions for selected business segments to offer customers ‘ rapid return on investments , with strong project management and product lifetime aftersales services ’. n the Executive Board of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE . She became vice president of the association in 2015 . Between 2007-2009 , she was a member of the General Committee of UNIVA , Union of Industrialists of the province of Varese , and , from 2017-2018 , a member of the National Executive Committee of FEDERMECCANICA . Since 2019 , she has also been a member of the Italian delegation of CECIMO , European Association of Machine Tool Industries , and , since June 2020 , she has been treasurer of the association .
Holding a Master ’ s Degree in Business Economics , with a specialisation in Corporate Finance , from the Luigi Bocconi University of Milan , Barbara Colombo also has a postgraduate Master ’ s Certificate in Corporate Finance from SDA Bocconi . n
New appointments for European Welding Association ( EWA )
Harald Scherleitner , Global Director , Sales & Marketing , Fronius Business Unit Perfect Welding has been voted in as an EWA vice president by members of the European Welding Association ( EWA ). His appointment , which runs to 2022 , will see Scherleitner take a key role in shaping the umbrella organisation for the European welding technology industry .
Sustainability is one area of concern that lies particularly close to his heart : “ Energysaving , durable , repairable and adaptable welding systems and equipment that effectively protect not only the environment but also the health of welders – these are all part of the welding technology of the future . Digitisation is continually opening up new potential to enable more sustainable working practices . It is up to us to identify this potential and ensure that it can find
Harald Scherleitner
Protolabs announces CEO succession plan
Proto Labs , Inc ., a technology-enabled , ondemand manufacturer , has appointed Robert Bodor to succeed Vicki Holt as the company ’ s President and Chief Executive Officer ( effective 1 March 2021 ). Vicki Holt is retiring after leading the company for the past seven years . Holt will remain CEO during this transition time and continue to serve on the Board up to May 2021 .
Bodor , with more than 20 years of leadership
Barbara Colombo
its way to the factory floor and other welding environments ,” he said .
The European Welding Association was founded in 1987 and brings together manufacturers of welding equipment and welding consumables from across Europe and associations from the welding industry . The technical committees of the EWA are involved in the development of relevant standards and European Directives .
The EWA Management Team for the 2020 / 2021 financial year has also been confirmed : Robert Stöckl ( EWM , Germany ) will take over as President , followed by Vice Presidents Harald Scherleitner ( Fronius , Austria ); Deger Elove ( MAGMA , Turkey ) and Luca Manzini ( ANASTA , Italy ) and General Manager Guy Missiaen ( France ). EWA 2020 also instituted a new group of European manufacturers that will focus on protecting health and safety for welders . n
experience , has served as Protolabs ’ Vice President and General Manager of the Americas for the past six years . During his tenure at Protolabs , he has also served as Chief Technology Officer and leader of the company ’ s business development and product development functions . Before joining Protolabs in 2012 , Bodor held progressive leadership roles at Honeywell and McKinsey . n
ISMR February 2021 | sheetmetalplus . com | 9