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International Metalworking News for Asia Magazine - December 2025

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International Metalworking News for Asia Description:

Publisher: Ringier-Trade-Media-Ltd

Category: Business

Language: English

Frequency: Bi-Monthly

International Metalworking News for Asia is published 6x a year in English with highlights in Chinese. The magazine facilitates technology transfer by providing readers in South East Asia's metalworking industry with the latest information on metal cutting and metal forming processes, and the latest technology in machinery and use of materials. It also offers practical solutions to improve productivity, reduce cost, and turn innovations into real competitive advantages as well as the latest market information, trade show reviews and videos, and people and company profiles, written by industry experts and correspondents across the region. Also included are exclusive content and articles from Ringier's family of metalworking industry magazines covering Greater China and other parts of the world, such as International Metalworking News for China, International Mold & Die Making News for China, Modern Machine Tools, American Machinist, and International Metalworking News – Middle East & Africa. The interactive content allows readers to make direct and immediate contact with advertisers/suppliers and featured companies in the editorial by clicking on the web site and email addresses in each issue, access online content in Ringier’s metalworking website (metalworking.industrysourcing.com), and avail of video content through iTunes and Google Play.

In this issue

As 2025 draws to a close, the metalworking industry finds itself at the intersection of transformation and resilience. This issue celebrates the small wins that collectively drive big change—from smarter automation and retrofitting to advanced metrology and digital manufacturing intelligence. In Enterprise Close-up, Mitsubishi Electric’s Jacek Smoluch discusses how automation is evolving beyond efficiency to become a cornerstone of strategic innovation. Meanwhile, in Machine Tools, Ralf Glatzeder of Liebherr-Verzahntechnik shows how retrofitting breathes new life into legacy equipment—proving that modernisation isn’t always about replacing, but reimagining. Long-term visionaries like Norbert Jungreithmayr of WFL Millturn, featured in Dialogue, remind us how decades of innovation shape sustainable growth. On the frontier of Lasers & Welding, DMG MOR I’s new LAS ERTEC 30 SLM 3rd Gen platform sets a benchmark in metal 3D printing precision and speed. Closer to home, Tooling & Workholding highlights Sandvik Coromant’s Bangkok training hub—an investment in South East Asia’s skilled workforce. As Sunya Ratsamee explains, empowering machinists through hands-on learning is key to raising the region’s manufacturing competitiveness. Digitalisation remains a defining theme. In Software & Control, Spanflug Technologies introduces AI-driven automation to streamline CNC decision-making, while Metrology spotlights Blum-Novotest’s LC54-DIGILOG , a leap forward in microtool measurement. Finally, our Outlook Report 2026 gathers voices across continents, offering a glimpse into how metalworking leaders envision the next chapter of industrial progress. As we enter a new year, the stories in this issue remind us that innovation thrives where tradition meets technology—where every precise cut, coded algorithm, and upskilled hand moves the industry forward.

Robotic bending cell in Thailand

DERATECH has successfully completed the acceptance and deployment of two robotic bending cells for a customer in Rayong Province, Thailand. The installation marks a significant milestone in advancing the customer's manufacturing automation and efficiency.

1 mins

ABB broadens building solutions, names new distributor in Vietnam

ABB, a global leader in electrification and automation, has strengthened its presence in Vietnam's smart building sector by expanding its product portfolio and appointing Vien Dong Electrical Equipment Co., Ltd. as its official retail distributor in Southern Vietnam. The announcement was made during ABB's Distribution Day 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, underscoring the company’s commitment to enabling smarter, more efficient, and sustainable living through advanced building technologies.

1 mins

First Mold to integrate AI agents in CNC machining management

First Mold's AI integration targets five key areas that directly enhance efficiency and customer satisfaction.

1 mins

Heidelberg celebrates 20 years of production in Shanghai

Two decades ago, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) made a strategic move by establishing its own production site in China a milestone that has since become central to the company's global success.

1 mins

Rolls-Royce strengthens fan blades production partnership with Bharat Forge

Rolls-Royce has signed an agreement with Bharat Forge Ltd. to manufacture and supply fan blades for its Pearl 700 and Pearl 10X engines.

1 mins

SKF India completes demerger of its industrial business

SKF India Ltd., a provider of bearings, condition monitoring, and engineering services, has completed the demerger of its Automotive and Industrial businesses into two independent entities, effective October 1, 2025. The listing of the new Industrial company is expected by November 2025, pending final approvals.

1 mins

Drilling machine market is projected US$31.72B by 2031

According to a new report by The Insight Partners, the global drilling machine market is experiencing strong growth, driven by rapid industrial expansion-particularly across the Asia Pacific region.

1 mins

Global laser machine tools market to reach US$ 6.9B by 2028

The global laser machine tools market, valued at US$2,799.51 million in 2019, is projected to reach US$6,901.18 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 12.09% during the forecast period, according to Absolute Markets Insights.

1 mins

Small wins and big transformations: What's reshaping the industry

The industrial sector is at a crossroads. As the world demands greener manufacturing processes, businesses are integrating innovative technologies to remain competitive. Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and sustainable innovations are no longer just buzzwords — they have become the backbone of modern industry.

5 mins

New life for old machinery – A topic with strategic relevance

When we speak of retrofitting, we are talking about giving machine tools a second chance — one that will last just as long as the first,” explains Ralf Glatzeder, Head of Reman at Liebherr-Verzahntechnik in Kempten, Germany. At Liebherr, “reman” stands for remanufacturing — the complete reprocessing of a machine to the standard of a new one. This is also the goal of retrofitting, which involves upgrading a machine with new technology and components.

4 mins

A machining robot that bridges the gap between industrial robots and machine tools

Newly developed milling kinematics from Fraunhofer IFAM enable highly versatile, efficient, and ultra-precise machining-from fibre composites and aluminium to tempered steel-with manufacturing tolerances of up to 0.1 millimetres.

3 mins

Norbert Jungreithmayr of WFL Millturn reflects on decades of innovation

In an era defined by rapid technological progress and shifting market dynamics, few leaders can claim the kind of enduring impact that Norbert Jungreithmayr has had on the machining industry. Over the course of 27 years at WFL Millturn Technologies, Jungreithmayr not only guided the company’s growth but also helped shape the evolution of complete machining solutions on a global scale.

5 mins

Shaping the future of metal 3D printing with advanced laser precision

At a time when manufacturers are searching for greater efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability, DMG MORI continues to strengthen its position as one of the industry's most forward-thinking innovators.

4 mins

Empowering South East Asia's Manufacturers: Inside Sandvik Coromant's Bangkok training hub

Sandvik Coromant, a global leader in metal cutting and manufacturing solutions, has officially launched its new training centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened in February 2025, the facility is now fully operational and offers a comprehensive training calendar designed to help local manufacturers solve real-world machining challenges.

3 mins

Standard creates PCF transparency for precision tools

In the precision tool industry, demand for verified Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data has never been higher. Customers increasingly expect manufacturers to provide transparent climate metrics for every tool they supply. Yet, until recently, comparing the carbon footprint of similar products from different manufacturers remained problematic. Varying system boundaries, inconsistent functional units and data sources, and the absence of clearly defined product categories often turned the PCF into a confusing and unreliable figure.

3 mins

Next step toward smarter CNC manufacturing

In modern CNC manufacturing, time and precision are critical especially when producing small and medium batch quantities.

3 mins

Precision redefined for microtool measurement

Blum-Novotest introduces its most compact and advanced laser measuring system yet

3 mins

Driving the next generation of metal forming through digital intelligence

Altair and Cimatron Join Forces to Accelerate Simulation-Driven Tool and Die Design

4 mins

Forging Ahead: Global Voices on the metalworking industry outlook 2026

After years of turbulence driven by pandemic disruptions, supply chain volatility, and energy price shocks, the metalworking industry stands at a critical turning point.

3 mins

Digitalisation and AI integration lift Singapore's digital economy to 18.6% of GDP

Digitalisation is essential to the growth of Singapore's overall economy. In 2024, Singapore's digital economy grew by S$12 billion, expanding to a total of S$128.1 billion.

4 mins

From spark to sentience in the new industrial age

Chris Hazlewood of Mitsubishi Electric explores the dynamic evolution of automotive manufacturing.

4 mins

EMO Hannover 2025 makes the future of metalworking tangible

Automated machines, collaborative robots, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence in data-driven process chains — the world of metalworking is transforming faster than ever. Recognising development trends and maintaining a clear overview is becoming an increasing challenge for manufacturers and users alike. The crucial question remains: how can companies assess new technologies and apply them profitably in their operations?

2 mins

How technology innovations are driving rare earth magnet market growth

IDTechEx finds global rare earth magnet production will exceed 330 ktpa by 2036 as USA and Europe emerge as key growth regions

4 mins

Your economical solution for fine boring

Are you tasked with producing a workpiece requiring fine boring for diameters like 08, 032, 035, 040, and 047 mm, all with H7 tolerance and fine surface finishing? If so, what tools would you choose?

1 mins

Cutting-edge grinding technology in a small space

The S23 universal cylindrical grinding machine from Fritz Studer AG combines precision, flexibility, and modern grinding technology in a compact, cost-efficient design.

1 mins

Product Highlight: TS2 - A Smarter Approach to Tube Cutting

HSG Laser has officially unveiled its latest innovation in laser cutting technology - the TS2, a next-generation tube cutting system designed to combine precision, speed, and simplicity in one compact solution.

1 mins

Introducing GC1220: engineered for cast iron mastery

Sandvik Coromant has launched GC1220 the latest indexable milling grade for nodular cast iron, designed to deliver unmatched performance, reliability and efficiency.