Sandvik Coromant Drives Manufacturing Wellness for a Sustainable Future

According to 2023 data from Deloitte, 84 percent of global C-level business leaders believe that economic growth can be achieved while also reaching sustainability goals. However, this is only possible with a mindset that ensures every process is aligned with the overarching objectives. Here, Glenn Nordh, Production Unit Director, Sandvik Coromant, a metal cutting tools and manufacturing solutions expert, explores the idea that to build a successful and resilient industry, manufacturers must first build positive habits.

It’s easy to overlook the effort that goes into building habits. Since these routine behaviors subconsciously;rmed subconsciously, we forget the foresight and discipline needed to create them. Building positive manufacturing habits requires a proactive approach that considers the whole value chain, and how each process will affect outcomes for the business and its people, customers, and the environment. It also means equipping ourselves with the right tools, technology, and partnerships to have a positive impact.

For example, at the Sandvik Coromant Center in Mebane, North Carolina, US, we make a habit of coming together every quarter in cross-functional teams to analyze the data provided by our equipment. Tapping into this data allows us to focus on areas where we could improve our processes. We use technology to make these improvements, such as implementing CGTech’s VERICUT Force module for simulating CNC machining, which resulted in a 23 percent cycle time reduction and improved tool life consistency. This not only helps drive productivity, but also benefits the environment by reducing waste and saving energy.

The focus on developing positive habits is not unique to Mebane, but central to Sandvik Coromant’s vision for a manufacturing industry that does the right thing today while also preparing for the future. Sandvik Coromant outlines eight positive habits in its Manufacturing Wellness mindset, which provides a framework for manufacturers to grow sustainably and thrive. These include embracing new technology, utilizing data, developing your people, and benefiting from strong partnerships.

Manufacturing Wellness is effective because it acknowledges that sustainable manufacturing isn’t a destination—it’s a journey that changes and pivots along with the industry. Wellness is a state of health that you actively try to achieve, in other words, continuously striving to be better.

This isn’t a new concept for Sandvik Coromant. While Manufacturing Wellness was launched as part of our updated brand identity in 2023, it reflects the commitment to innovation and sustainable progress that Sandvik Coromant has held since its foundation in 1942.

Developing Tomorrow’s Manufacturers

This focus on preparing for the future has stood out to me throughout my experience with Sandvik Coromant. Three generations of my family have been employed by the company, including my father, who moved from Sweden to work at the Mebane Center when I was three years old. These kinds of family ties can be found across the business and are testament to Sandvik Coromant’s habit of developing its people.

Since beginning my own journey as a special tools designer 18 years ago, I’ve had numerous learning and development opportunities, such as being mentored by my first manager, who had over 40 years of industry experience. Sandvik Coromant has a top-down approach to people development, meaning that every employee can take the time to build learning habits. This not only supports staff with upskilling themselves, but also ensures that Sandvik Coromant has knowledgeable, qualified candidates for future job openings.

In my current role as Production Unit Director at the Mebane Center, I am involved with outreach programs that help to develop the next generation of talent. For example, the Mebane team recently welcomed 65 young women from Alamance Community College’s Women in Industrial Science, Design, Engineering and Manufacturing (WISDEM) club for a Girls Take Over Tech event. During the open house, students had the opportunity to speak with successful women in manufacturing, such as Meaghan Ziemba, Founder, Mavens of Manufacturing podcast and video series and Veronica Messersmith, President - Americas Region, Sandvik Coromant.

Productive Partnerships
Developing these kinds of partnerships is a key Manufacturing Wellness habit. Not only do strong partnerships allow for mutual learning opportunities, but they can also be beneficial to manufacturers that are early in their sustainability journey.

At Sandvik Coromant, we prioritize working closely with customers and partners to develop the positive manufacturing habits needed to help the industry thrive. We encourage with their current progress before using this to create a roadmap to a more digital, resilient, and sustainable future manufacturers to study the Manufacturing Wellness habits and compare them.

Since we operate within the industry we serve, we are well placed to support manufacturers with putting these habits into practice. Whether that’s with custom tooling solutions, technologies such as our Sustainability Analyser that helps customers reduce energy usage and carbon emissions, or technical training from the Sandvik Coromant Academy to help upskill staff.

While economic growth may seem at odds with improving sustainability credentials, it is possible to achieve both. Adopting a habit-based mindset that considers the impact of the whole value chain allows manufacturers to create a productive industry that is not only successful now, but also has the resilience to thrive in the future.

Image Source: Sandvik Coromant