Mining’s old guard needs strong medicine
A new report details subpar investor returns in the mining industry over the last decade, particularly big cap diversified companies which have not adapted to new realities.
Coworkers Silvia Dahlund, Jenni Zackrisson and Sakari Ruppi from Seco Tools, which is part of the Sandvik Machining Solutions business area, have been awarded the Wilhelm Haglund Medal for their development of a new generation of oxide-coated inserts. The accolade of Product Developer of the Year within the Group for 2013 was presented at Sandvik’s Annual General Meeting on 25 April in Sandviken.
Cemented-carbide inserts are the most important type of tool used for metal cutting and thus crucial to Sandvik’s customer offering in the area. The new grade of insert, featuring significantly enhanced coating durability, was developed primarily for steel turning applications in the automotive and engineering industries and significantly increases customer productivity. Metal working is being conducted at ever-higher speeds and the demands for durability and heat resistance are rigorous. The new products have yielded major sales successes and they have significant development potential. The product offering has already been expanded to other metal-cutting areas.
“The work is pioneering within the industry and it is impressive that, 30 years after the first market launch of oxide-coated inserts, it has been possible to make such a vast improvement to these products,” says Olle Wijk, Head of Group R&D at Sandvik and member of the Group Executive Management.
“It is encouraging that Seco Tools has been highlighted in this way for its innovative approach and ability to rapidly convert research results into products. It has been a team effort and all those involved can be proud that they have contributed to the development and to the major commercial successes,” says Silvia Dahlund, one of the three prizewinners.
The Wilhelm Haglund Medal for the Product Developer of the Year has been awarded since 1986 and is named after the legendary Managing Director Wilhelm Haglund, who laid the foundations for the Group’s successes in the cemented-carbide area. The award is presented to the employees or group of employees who have made the most significant development of a product that has led to a commercial success. The award consists of an 18-carat gold medal, a diploma and a study trip.
Stockholm 25 April 2013
