FFG Fair Friend Group celebrated the Grand Opening of its North America Technology Center on October 17th and 18th 2023 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. Eighteen (18) machines were displayed, powered, and performed live cutting demonstrations. CNC equipment of vertical/horizontal milling and turning solutions for high-speed, die/mold, heavy duty, multi-axis, multi-tasking, and high-volume machining solutions across various FFG brands including MAG, SMS, FEELER, LEADWELL and FFG DMC were showcased. The displayed machines included 2, 3, 4, 4+1, & full 5-axis, and two-days-full of technical seminars were presented from a variety of FFG’s Technology Partners.
Knowing the significance of the North America marketplace in FFG’s strategic global expansion plan, MAG, FFG’s flagship machine tool operation in North America, underwent two phases of expansion in its existing state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The 2021 expansion comprised of 20,000 square feet, which expanded FFG’s and MAG’s spare parts warehousing and the spindle/fixture build/repair operations. In 2023, the Phase II expansion was completed which added another 30,000 square feet of manufacturing floor space, and FFG dedicated 10,000 square feet of this Phase II expansion to the establishment of its North America Technology Center. “The Technology Center will be used by our dealers in North America to showcase to their customers as well as to validate the applications of parts machining and processes”, said Mike Jude, the Director of Sales of FFG Americas. “The FFG North America Technology Center will enable distributors, partners, and end users to consult and collaborate with experts, compare different technologies, run test cuts, conduct cycle time analysis, and see FFG’s machines and technologies firsthand.”
FFG now offers a complete product line of machining equipment and solutions from its 200,00 square feet Sterling Heights operation, ranging from the stand-alone machine to the fully integrated and automated machining line. “This Technology Center demonstrates FFG’s continuous commitments and never-stopping efforts in serving the metal cutting equipment needs in the North American market.”, said Brian Prina, the President of FFG Americas. “Our Technology Center brings multiple FFG companies together under one roof to best support and service the North America market including machine demonstrations, training, and service parts.”
FFG’s strategic partners in CNC Controls, Spindles, Robotics, Cutting Tools, Tool Holders, Rotary Tables, Probing, Workholding, Bar Feeding, Mist Collection, High-Pressure Coolant, and Equipment Finance were also displaying and presenting various products and value-add machining solutions. The Grand Opening attendees were able to choose from 12 different topics and to attend presentations of interest by FFG’s strategic partners.
- Blaser Swisslube – “Measurable Added Value with the Right Metal Working Fluid“
- Fanuc – “Robot Machine Tool Integration“
- Fullerton Tool – “Precision Meets Profit: How Fullerton’s Innovative Tools Drive Savings“
- GSA+ & Granch – “Rotary Tables & Economic CTS Units“
- Huntington Bank – “Equipment Finance Solutions for You“
- Jergens – “Workholding Solutions for Today’s Modern Manufacturing“
- Kennemetal – “NOVO Tool Selector“
- LNS – “Barfeed Systems and High-Pressure Coolant Solutions”
- MD Tooling – “Gear Hobbing, Broaching, and Y-Axis Tooling”
- Renishaw – “Probing Essentials for CNC Mills and Lathes”
- SETCO – “SETCO Precision Engineered Spindles“
- Siemens – “Discover a New Shop Language“
FFG is one of the largest machine tool companies in the world, including thirty-seven (37) machine tool brands with the most comprehensive offerings of vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, vertical turning centers, horizontal turning centers, multi-spindle and rotary transfer machines, gear manufacturing, grinding and factory automation solutions. FFG operates from fifty (50) manufacturing facilities worldwide including the United States, Japan, Germany, Italy, India, Switzerland, Korea, China, and Hungary.