FACE TO FACE
investment levels , we are still seeing large investments and big orders in training this year . There are still some government subsidies available . We have seen a lot more investment in training over the last two to three years , and in certain industry sectors like defence . More companies are also looking for partnerships to bring more expertise to the table ,” both men confirmed .
EWM is also expanding its worldwide presence with new subsidiaries in countries such as France , with others to follow . It has invested in efficiency and process improvements at its Mündersbach site in Germany , as well as in sustainable production .
“ In the UK , we are expanding with additional technical sales staff . We have also expanded the floor space in our premises . More generally , across the EWM group intranet , I always see welcome messages to new staff in departments such as sales ; R & D , software , automation , digitalisation etc . These departments are growing rapidly so that we can stay on course to support our increasing presence in various parts of the world ,” confirmed Cauchi .
“ We believe that most of EWM ’ s growth will come from automation , torches , manual welding and digitalisation . However , although the industry is moving more towards automation , manual welding is still very important and one of our core competencies ,” added Frank Bartels .
Looking to the future
EWM ’ s motto is , ‘ Just weld . Leave the rest to us .’ “ We aim to make it as easy as possible for our customers to weld . We will take care of the technology and we have the expertise to increase their productivity . We are effectively providing a onestop shop of solutions to their welding challenges ,” Frank Bartels explained to ISMR . “ We invest around 10 % of our turnover every year into R & D at
With the XQbot cobot welding cell , EWM offers a solution which can be used for automated processes and manual welding .
EWM XQbot Cobot welding cell .
our headquarters . We don ’ t just invest in our core competencies , but also in people with digital expertise . We are increasingly focusing on welding automation ( such as cobots ) and digitalisation in our R & D investments ,” he added .
EWM ’ s R & D initiatives also include new welding machines ; new torches for automation ; new process variants , software updates and improvements to existing machines ( increasing their power , efficiency etc .). It is a continuous process and sometimes involves working with partners , such as integrators and robot specialists , on various projects .
“ Automation , digitalisation and software are key . We write our own software but we also work with partners ( such as robot suppliers ) on projects like cobots . We are proud that we can deliver a plug-and-play , ready-to-weld solution for users ,” continued Frank Bartels .
The global skills gap in welding markets has led to increased demands for automation and mechanisation . The average age of welders is around fifty years old and many are close to retirement . This , says Alan Cauchi , is both a challenge and an opportunity .
“ We need to make our industry more attractive to the young and promote the benefits of welding to a new audience . I challenged a welding audience recently to spend at least an hour per year to promote welding to school or college students . You can ’ t be what you can ’ t see ….. We also need to change how people perceive the industry to emphasise , for example , skills and opportunities in programming ; IT ; cobots / robots ; digitalisaton ; virtual and augmented reality systems in welding . These topics appeal to a younger audience ; it ’ s about engaging the Play Station generation ,” he told ISMR .
EWM runs a variety of apprenticeship schemes and regularly donates welding equipment to institutes , universities and educational centres .
“ We want young people to experience and engage with our technology and become enthused by it . Although smart solutions will go some way towards taking the strain , it is imperative to fill the skills gap ,” added Cauchi .
New technologies , such as artificial intelligence and virtual / augmented reality , will also attract younger workers to the world of welding .
“ We are working with a partner in the UK on a virtual reality training tool for those who are new to welding . We have also introduced
With the new 19-pole , foot-operated RTF-X TIG remote control by EWM , users can regulate the current during TIG welding .
36 | ismr . net | ISMR October 2023