Sandvik Coromant officially unveiled its new California productivity center at a VIP event and ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, April 2 followed by an Open House event on Tuesday, April 3, located at 6400 Gateway Drive, Cypress, California. Over 100 guests attended the VIP event, which included facility tours, guest speakers, and a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Sandvik Coromant Global President, Klas Forsström; Sandvik Coromant President of Market Area Americas, John Israelsson; Sandvik Coromant U.S. President, Jamie Price; and Sandvik, Inc. U.S. President, Rick Askin; joined Productivity Center Manager, Robert Page, in cutting the ceremonial ribbon that marked the official opening of the facility.

"With several large machine builders and industry partners located close by, the new productivity center will make it easier for our southwest customers to develop their workforce, see cutting tool solutions in action and determine which machines to invest in," Page said. "We will be able to show customers how to equip their machines to achieve the best productivity and quickest payback."

The event also included a presentation on the importance of innovation, technology and partnership by Jon Finn, director of operations at Hartwell Corporation. Greg Jones, director of education and training at the Association of Manufacturing Technology/American Machine Tool Distributors' Association (AMT/AMTDA) was the guest speaker for the evening and presented on the value of education and training in the metalworking industry. Also in attendance was the City of Cypress Mayor, Douglas A. Bailey, and several local dignitaries including: John B. Bahorski, city manager; Steve Clarke, redevelopment project manager; Ted J. Commerdinger, director of community development; and Todd Seymore, Cypress City Council member.

"Sandvik is going to make a great partner for our corporate community here," said Mayor Bailey. "We're trying to do the best we can to attract more high quality, technologically oriented businesses like Sandvik, so we're proud to have them."

The full-day Open House event on Tuesday, April 3 was attended by 150 local manufacturing representatives that were shown live demonstrations on productivity, quality and tool wear techniques. Several breakout sessions took place throughout the day with topics ranging from education to aerospace and CAM solutions. Attendees were also given the opportunity to take a photo with the Sandvik Coromant technical sponsored Joe Gibbs Racing #18 NASCAR racing car that was on display in the Solutions Lab.

The facility will serve as an added resource to local customers and distributors, focusing on maximizing productivity and profitability for customers. The 17,051 square foot productivity center houses a well-equipped demo lab featuring the latest in machine tool technology, comfortable classrooms and a number of training and meeting spaces. A full schedule of technical training classes as well as industry association meetings and seminars geared toward manufacturing educators and students will be offered.