The Connected Machine Shop

Robert Auer has spent over 20 years in the technology industry focusing on factory automation, communication and lifecycle management software. As a graduate engineer (communications engineering) from the University of Applied Sciences (HTWG) in Constance (Germany), Robert holds a master’s degree in international Business from the ESB Business School of the University in Reutlingen. In his current position as Director Global Business Development, Robert is responsible for the expansion of strategic partnerships within the Industry 4.0 philosophy of TDM Systems, mainly focusing on Tool Lifecycle Management, Machine Connections, CAM-Integrations and Cloud-Solutions.

Mr. Johansson provides leadership for the continued development of an innovative, robust and secure information technology environment. His primary responsibilities for his office encompass a wide variety of strategic technology issues such as Governance and policy, Project portfolio, Information technology protocols and Information Technology organization at Sandvik Coromant. The responsibility for Sandvik Coromant IT includes driving the development of a truly Digital company. Maximizing the value of our technology investments and being a world class IT organization in leveraging new technologies. Prior to joining Sandvik Coromant, Mr. Johansson spent 20 years in information technology roles in Telecom, Manufacturing and Government services. Most recently, he served as the Chief Information Officer for the Swedish Land registry and Cadastral information.

As the Director, Microsoft Manufacturing Industry Solutions, Mark works across Microsoft’s global manufacturing clients to help them innovate, improve their performance, develop new services, and grow their business. His work with leading manufacturers in discrete and process industries focuses on innovation and PLM, manufacturing execution and operations intelligence, supply chain, sales and dealer management systems. He also shares Microsoft’s perspectives in manufacturing around IoT, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, big data and supply chain optimization.

Annika Langéen brings her business acumen, strong familiarity of the metal cutting industry and solid understanding of sales and business processes to the Americas marketing team. After a productive five-year career delivering outstanding results as the VP of Sales for Nordic countries within the Northern European market, she was well known for her energy, business mindset and customer focus. Experienced in various roles within sales and operations, Annika drives improvements, delivers results and develops people. Through her proven track record and dynamic management style, Annika will continue to elevate the brand and improve the customer experience.

Bijal brings a diverse background to his role as a Digital Machining Specialist. Drawing from his mechanical engineering and marketing experience, he is responsible for strategic business plan development for Sandvik Coromant’s digital machining product portfolio. Starting at Sandvik Coromant’s Supply division as an engineer at a manufacturing plant, Bijal worked with production concepts from quality and productivity improvement to machine investments and capacity planning. He then transitioned to Sandvik Coromant’s Sales division, and in his role as a Marketing Planning Manager, Bijal focused on marketing development projects and new product launches. He holds an MBA with a specialization in marketing and B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University.

With 40 years of industry experience, Jeff Rizzie’s technical expertise centers around manufacturing processes with a concentration on metal cutting and machine tool integration. Following the latest trends in data and analytics, Jeff combines his manufacturing background with his knowledge of advanced technologies to positively impact customer success. In his current role, Jeff leads a team of digital machining solution specialists and is responsible for strategic business decisions designed to enhance and strengthen Sandvik Coromant’s digital machining portfolio. His leadership abilities, combined with his extensive background in international strategic planning, enables him to drive and support key initiatives that enhance the customer experience.

Starting as a machine operator in Brazil for Sandvik, Inc. in 1997, Julio has worked in many different functions within production and manufacturing. Moving to the Mebane, NC Production Unit in 2007 as an application engineer, Julio has broadened his career at Sandvik Coromant through roles such as CAM programmer, special tools engineer and methods and process engineer. Now the Engineering Manager, Julio, a Six Sigma Blackbelt, incorporates lean principles and a sustainable mindset to all facets of this highly automated facility, including energy conservation, production data analysis and tool manufacturing efficiencies. Julio holds a Manufacturing Engineering degree and a master’s degree in Industrial Engineering.

Mr. Wright has been with CGTech as a Technical Support Engineer for VERICUT software since 2015. He has more than 25 years of manufacturing experience. His professional career began at Halliburton working as a CNC Machinist and then CNC Programmer. Later, he became a Machine Tool Design Engineer for Bell Helicopter and in 2004 moved to Sandvik. In his 11 years at Sandvik his work involved automation and standardization in programming resulting in a quadrupling of programming output. He also implemented the simulation standards and protocols used today. In Mr. Wright’s role as Technical Support Engineer for CGTech, he designs many general-purpose and customized training courses, supplies technical support to end-user customers, and provides manufacturing consulting services to numerous companies in virtually every industry.

Mr. Anand is globally responsible for the portfolio of digital offers. He has held several strategic business and technology roles in his rich professional career. Vijay has a recognized in-depth experience of building organizations for driving digital transformation, not only in the manufacturing industry but also across industries like energy, healthcare, utilities and retail. Cross-pollinating learnings and experiences across different industries and cultivation of innovations has been a key passion for Vijay throughout this professional career. He is recognized as a digital thought leader and regularly features in international conferences and has been part of policy/standards committees.

Mr. Dino Tomasetti began his career at ATI Forged Products in 2011 as an intern in Lean Manufacturing. He then transitioned to a full-time role as a Manufacturing Engineer. Now working as a Machining Engineer ATI Forged Products, he develops and introduces new machining technology. Mr. Tomasetti holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

Alan has held that position since June 2017 and prior that, he was senior editor of the publication, having joined SME in August 2016. He also spent nine years as editorial director of Cutting Tool Engineering magazine. Alan has been a business magazine editor for the past 40 years, and has covered topics such as metalworking, paper manufacturing and the food industry. He graduated Cum Laude from Allegheny College with a B.A. in History and English, where he was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Brett started Smart Manufacturing magazine for SME four years ago. A former magazine critic and staff editor at The New York Times, Brett has been chronicling the avant-garde in the digital economy for two decades. He also previously reported and edited at the Los Angeles Times and the Washington Post. He has reported from all corners of the U.S., as well as from Argentina, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia and Spain. He is now based in Southern California.