FACE TO FACE also aims to be increasingly multi-technology focused in terms of the cutting processes that it offers .
“ Since 2019 , waterjet now makes up more than 20 % of our business . We expect to be able to do that in other adjacent technologies and build out that portfolio . We also want to increase our automation portfolio in that space ( digital technologies enable all those cutting processes ). In consulting services , we want to optimise total cutting value streams ( no matter the technologies used ) for our key and strategic accounts . We have been building out and investing in that capability for our customers ,” added Evan A . Smith .
Market outlook
The OptiMAX waterjet cutting system on the OMAX booth at EuroBLECH 2022 .
place of process education , and removes variability where possible , enabling a relatively unskilled labour force to produce a consistent , high-quality outcome . We use technology to radically simplify processes , wherever we can . That means mechanical design and full automation of the process centre for customers as well as machine monitoring . It ’ s all about optimising and simplifying the ‘ idea to part delivery ’ on fabricated metal and nonmetal parts ,” he added .
Digitalisation and automation
“ Our customers face the same challenges that we do i . e . supply chain disruption , rising inflation and prices , skilled labour shortages and an ageing workforce . How do we ensure that information and experience is transferred in a company ? We help customers to automate the true expertise and experience in their companies so that they can become more profitable and look after their own customers ,” highlighted Marco Mostert .
The megatrends of digitalisation and automation are not new ; both technologies have been in the marketplace for years . However , they have been thrown into sharp focus by the combination of challenges that manufacturers are facing right now . More companies , of all sizes , are now embracing these technologies as a result .
“ In terms of the type and size of customers currently embracing digitalisation , we see a mix right now . I do not believe that
Robotic dome cutting by Hypertherm XPR plasma and Robotmaster software .
digitalisation is solely confined now to highend customers but is moving more towards ‘ continuous improvers ’ who wish to be elite performers in their manufacturing operations . Over the past couple of years , while interest rates have been low , owners of all sizes of companies have been investing in new technologies . They tend to be continuous improvers , perhaps new-generation management of family-owned companies that have grown up with digital technologies and are more comfortable bringing them into their operations . It is a definite trend that will continue to accelerate , in our opinion . We tap into this trend with our products and services to help our customers become more productive and profitable ,” explained Mostert . Hypertherm intends to grow its waterjet technology share of EMEIA markets as it sees huge potential for high-end applications . It
“ It is currently the most challenging operating environment for companies in my 30-year career . The combination of cost inflation , supply-chain disruptions , labour shortages and escalating costs plus , of course , the geopolitical environment ( Ukraine / Russia ; COVID-19 lockdowns in China etc ). However , demand has remained healthy . The rapid upturn in 2021 overflowed into 2022 , although we anticipate a recessionary environment in Europe as it is more affected by the Ukraine crisis , supply chain disruption and energy cost spikes / shortages . The U . S . economic environment has proved more resilient ,” Evan A . Smith told ISMR .
Rising global uncertainty and climbing interest rates make Smith cautious about the amount of capital investments in the coming year , although he expects the North American to be more resilient over 2023 and possibly 2024 .
“ In terms of demand levels this year , we expect this year to outperform our record 2021 year but there will probably be diminishing momentum because of recessionary forces in Europe ( the second-largest market for us ) and Asia ( affected by China ’ s COVID lockdowns , real-estate sector challenges etc .). The North American market has held up quite well but we are seeing more monetary tightening that we expect will affect manufacturers in 2023 . We don ’ t expect a deep recession – generally , the industrial sector is healthy and there is still some degree of demand backlog . In North America , there is strong stimulus around the Infrastructure Bill and the Renewable Energy Bill . So these will support industry over 2023 ,” he added .
In terms of trends , he sees a lot of developments accelerating in 3D with robotic cutting , as much on the software as on the mechanical side . He also sees further application spaces within infrastructure as investments rise in structural steel developments and energy infrastructure . He cites examples such as the transportation of LNG ( liquid natural gas ) to replace gas from Russia which requires processing terminals