An employee at the GF Machining Solutions site in Schorndorf (Germany)
GF Machining Solutions at a glance
GF Machining Solutions is one of the world’s leading providers of complete solutions to the tool and mold making industry and to manufacturers of precision components. The portfolio includes Milling, wire-cutting, and die-sinking EDM machines. Moreover, the division offers Spindles, Laser texturing, Laser micromachining, Additive Manufacturing, Tooling and Automation, as well as digitalization solutions.
Global presence
GF Machining Solutions is present in more than 50 countries with its own sales companies. The key customer segments are the aerospace, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), electronic, medical, and automotive industries.
Key figures
|
CHF million |
|
2019 |
|
2018 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Order intake |
|
954 |
|
1’042 |
|
Orders on hand at year-end |
|
177 |
|
200 |
|
Sales |
|
972 |
|
1’066 |
|
Sales growth % |
|
–8.8 |
|
7.5 |
|
Organic growth % |
|
–7.5 |
|
5.4 |
|
EBITDA |
|
71 |
|
102 |
|
EBIT |
|
57 |
|
88 |
|
Return on sales (EBIT margin) % |
|
5.9 |
|
8.3 |
|
Invested capital (IC) |
|
256 |
|
262 |
|
Return on invested capital (ROIC) % |
|
18.4 |
|
27.5 |
|
Number of employees |
|
3’358 |
|
3’394 |
Employees
3’358
Sales per region
in CHF
Sales per segment
in CHF
Pascal Boillat, President of GF Machining Solutions, with a Fir Tree Disk.
Focus on digitalization
GF Machining Solutions develops new digital solutions and highly precise machines. The EDM, Milling, Laser and advanced manufacturing technologies strengthen the division’s role as innovation partner.
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The showcase product
One of the innovative solutions shown by GF Machining Solutions at the world-leading machine tool fair “EMO” 2019 was the new AgieCharmilles CUT P 550 Pro. This new wire Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM), to be officially launched in 2020, offers a new human-machine interface, which ensures a higher flexibility and simplifies tasks such as programming or changing the machining strategy. Moreover, it also features GF Machining Solutions’ revolutionary Spark Track technology. Thanks to that, the Fir Tree Disk, a part of an aero engine, can be manufactured more precisely.
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Innovation Strategy
GF Machining Solutions continued to be strongly focused on technologies and services that are currently gaining momentum: Additive Manufacturing (AM) and Intelligent Manufacturing. Together with its partner 3D Systems, GF Machining Solutions offers an optimized and integrated metal AM workflow, easier factory Automation, as well as dedicated post-processing solutions such as Milling and EDM. In terms of Intelligent Manufacturing – which adds great value to customers – the division is already deploying the infrastructure for the future using edge computing and digital hubs while building up its service platform at the same time. Software solutions like rConnect offer customers a fast, digital overview of their production and provide them with access to expert service, wherever they are.
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Strategy 2020 recap
By 2020, GF Machining Solutions will be the trusted partner of the global precision machining industry during all phases of the lifecycle. Key pillars of GF Machining Solutions’ strategy are ensuring professional and efficient organization, providing complete solutions, and keeping its innovation leadership characterized by Swiss quality.
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