FACE TO FACE
Above and left: CIDAN coil line.
Joachim Schäfer agreed and highlighted ongoing work that CIDAN is doing with its machinery partners.
“ We are focused on working now with other suppliers on our MULTIPLE DECOILING LINE( e. g. Salvagnini and Prima Power) and being a partner to them on decoiling. We have had a lot of success with that. We have time to focus on other( perhaps closer) opportunities, prepare our contacts and get ourselves ready for future market prospects. So, we have been‘ doing our homework’ in this area and it is paying off. The target, with our partners and suppliers, is to offer a customer the best machine that he can get. We want to be a reliable partner for the big global players,” he continued.
Another key focus for the Group is project work: it is currently participating in various international projects, where it is positioning itself as a“ one-stop shop and partner” in terms of products, processes and solutions. CIDAN’ s nuEVOLUTION software underpins and supports this‘ one-stop-shop’ principle.
“ In collaborative projects with customers, we are a one-stop-shop partner. We are very reactive and active as a team to solve any issues or challenges for customers. Our NuEVOLUTION integrated software for machinery architecture not only provides web shops, data optimisation, nesting / bending programs and information etc. but can also link machinery( including competitors’ machines). This is because the customer is always the central focus for us. He should be able to use the system software with his individual machines, regardless of the machine brand. The interconnectedness of his system is what is important,” outlined Joachim Schäfer.
“ Service and support is also becoming more important for customers; they want to switch on their machines and not be faced with problems. If there is an issue, they need simple and rapid solutions e. g. swift diagnostic support, rapid spare part delivery etc.,” he added.
Global market trends
In line with CIDAN’ s strategic and technology-driven efforts, both men highlighted current market trends, challenges and opportunities in the industrial segment to ISMR. They pinpointed automation; the need for smarter, more capable, more flexible and more productive machines; the higher variety of parts being processed and the need for more complex and diversified parts. These trends have propelled CIDAN to adapt the development of their machines and software accordingly.
The CIDAN RAPIDO electric guillotine shear.
“ We see that the demand for simple, intuitive controls on machinery is growing. We have therefore increased the capability of our machines to make up for the shortage of skilled operators. Customers also wish to use fewer machines to achieve the same result, so we are‘ upskilling’ our machines to meet
this need, which is where software plays a huge part. Manufacturers also want flexibility to create a range of different parts, so the challenge for machine-tool manufacturers is to increase the ability of a machine tool to make more different parts by using intelligent machine and tooling solutions,” confirmed Joachim Schäfer
“ The user-friendly part is a huge topic right now,” added Haval Othman.“ Every second that you can save in a process or application is a win for the customer. It’ s about making these processes smarter for customers.”
“ Sheet metal fabrication is undergoing a shift where digitalisation, automation and sustainability are no longer separate initiatives— they are the pillars of the business. As a business, we have identified seven trends already influencing investments, skills supply and ways of working— both in the shop and onsite,” outlined CIDAN’ s head of industrial sales, Joachim Schäfer, pinpointing the areas below.
1. Automation from“ helpers” to complete flows: Bending robot cells, smart back gauges, automatic tool changes and integrated tower / stock systems are moving companies from point solutions to fully automated subprocesses. The effect is more consistent quality, higher OEE and better capacity utilisation— especially in multishift operations or when staffing varies.
2. Connected machines with data at the centre: CNC controls and software are evolving from“ programming” to genuine decision support. Real-time data on jobs, materials and operations create traceability and make improvements measurable. Interfaces with 3D step-bystep guidance lower the threshold for
24 | ismr. net | ISMR November 2025