Since 1990 (26 years ago) Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall has operated its own production facility in Germany. In Swabian Lauchheim approximately 170 employees currently manufacture high quality special and standard tools for demanding machining tasks, which are supplied not only in the European market, but worldwide for the entire group. An associated production facility is located at Jihlava, Czech Republic, supporting local car manufacturers and suppliers with short routes and quick services.

Europe is a key market for Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall and it is expected that especially Germany will be decisive for the technical development of the next few years. Not only because of the great economic importance of automotive industry, but also with regard to the aviation industry, which acts as a driving force in technology. In this technologically advanced market major competitors and the machine tool industry itself are headquartered in Germany. 
For Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall it is self-evident to join this market with its own development and production capacities.



With a significant investment in two new buildings Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall is now strengthening its commitment to the German location. On Monday, 9 May 2016 in Willich near Dusseldorf, the new European headquarters was opened (total investment € 6.5 million). With 1,200 sqm of office space and attached warehouse building with 800 m², there is now room for further expansion. The whole of the ground floor is reserved for customer services. There are 600 m² classic meeting rooms as well as rooms with movable walls that allow even larger seminars or trainings. Finally the close proximity to Düsseldorf airport is very attractive for guests from all over Europe.

In order to improve the service and advice for these customers, there is a video wall and a dedicated line for European development and technology center in Lauchheim. This not only enables discussions with resident engineers, but also live transmission of practical machining demonstrations. The customized advice can be significantly intensified by modern communication channels.

Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall has also invested more than 5 million euros in the production facility in Lauchheim. In addition to the existing factory, a new building with 2,500 m² area was created of which are 1,100 sqm are expansion of production and 700 m² of administration and management. However, the working conditions for the personnel were the focus for this expansion. Therefore a new canteen with 200 m² as well as social rooms with 500 m² were established.

This new building, together with the technology center which was initiated a few years ago, is a clear commitment to the German and European market, as well as the strategic plans of Sumitomo Electric Hartmetall to continue growing in these markets. This was highlighted at the opening ceremony on 11 May 2016 where the top management from Japan took part. The chairman of the section for precision tools in the VDMA, Lothar Horn, even precision tool manufacturer in Tübingen, took the opportunity to give a inaugural address.



Especially for invited customers and representatives Sumitomo offered a tooling day with theoretical and practical machining demonstrations. The guided tour of production and technical presentations informed about latest technology and provided insights into the high-quality production in Lauchheim. Even the Japanese representatives speak with respect and pride about our products "Made in Germany". Incidentally, we are now looking for additional personnel in production, development and customer service in Lauchheim.

During the tooling day in Lauchheim new tools were shown in action that impressed the visitors with very smooth running. New developments in milling were especially impressive with high cutting performance and high-quality surfaces. Additionally new deep hole drills with diameters from 3.0mm to 12.0mm and lengths up to 30 x D drilled holes in sample workpieces with impressive speed. The new carbide grade AC8025P was presented, which was developed as a versatile all-round grade for turning of different steel materials. The development objective of this variety of indexable inserts was not on highest cutting data, but on the versatility at moderate levels. This corresponds with the generally accepted daily workshop and the often slightly older machinery in many factories. The new "Absotech-Platinum" coating technology, tailored specifically to the cemented carbide substrate, promises long life without layer-flaking or built-up edge.

In the future these tooling days will take place regularly. In the meantime the development and test center is available to all customers for individual consultations and machining tests. The close interaction with local engineers and colleagues in Japan has led to the development of several tools, individual special tools or even new series products. For example the world's-smallest boring bar with CBN insert is developed and produced here for the world market. Increasingly customers with workpiece drawings come to Lauchheim and profit from our extensive experience and technical knowledge of local professionals.