Flexxbotics Appoints Marc Lind as Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Marketing Officer  

Flexxbotics announced the appointment of accomplished manufacturing software executive, Marc Lind, as Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). The addition strengthens Flexxbotics’ leadership in the emerging field of robot-driven manufacturing for the smart factory.

During his more than two decades at Aras, Lind led global marketing, strategy and corporate development building the business into the disruptor of the enterprise product lifecycle management (PLM) market. He has a proven track record in the development and execution of high growth strategies for industrial SaaS solutions that scale recurring revenue and operations worldwide.

Lind’s accomplishments at Aras range from driving the ‘large deal size’ inbound go-to-market to leading successful strategic partnerships and multiple international acquisitions. He helped design and implement a capital strategy that spanned angel funding, venture capital, corporate strategic and private equity investments resulting in the most valuable pure-play company in the history of the PLM software category.

His start-up experience and deep industry knowledge of manufacturing software will help Flexxbotics expand operations while continuing to extend its technology leadership in SaaS/Hybrid solutions that transform the way companies use robotics in Industry 4.0 production.

“Flexxbotics breakthrough innovation is truly exciting and will redefine smart factory operations by enabling the robot-driven manufacturing era,” said Lind. “Joining Flexxbotics I see the opportunity to build a founder-led, global powerhouse in intelligent software solutions that enable autonomous robotic manufacturing.”

Flexxbotics robotic workcell digitalization is the backbone of the Smart Factory delivering autonomous process control for next generation machining environments. Flexxbotics unique FlexxCORE™ technology seamlessly connects and coordinates robots with existing automation equipment, IT systems and people. More powerful, flexible and open, Flexxbotics revolutionizes the use of robotics in complex production.

“We’re proud to have Marc Lind join Flexxbotics’ management team, and believe he will be instrumental to our efforts as we scale the business and expand internationally,” said Tyler Bouchard, Co-founder & CEO of Flexxbotics. “We are looking for executives that share our vision of ‘lights out’ robotic production with autonomous process control as we build out Flexxbotics leadership.”

The addition of Lind follows the recent oversubscribed funding round which included investment from Scott Harris, co-founder of SOLIDWORKS and Onshape, Michael Marsh, a former president at Tecnomatix (now part of Siemens Digital Industries Software), and Peter Schroer, founder and former CEO of Aras. Together these milestones further reinforce Flexxbotics’ innovation in robotics and factory automation software solutions.  

For more information, visit www.flexxbotics.com.

Fowler High Precision Appointed Exclusive U.S. Distributor for Aberlink’s Shop Floor, Lab Grade CMM Equipment

Fowler High Precision announced its exclusive distribution partnership with Aberlink, a global leader in coordinate measuring machine (CMM) technology. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Fowler's commitment to providing cutting-edge metrology solutions to its esteemed customer base.

Dave Weinberg, vice president of sales at Fowler High Precision, expressed enthusiasm about the new venture, stating, "We welcome this new opportunity to provide customers with Aberlink’s exceptional Shop Floor and Lab Grade CMM equipment as the exclusive distributor in the U.S. With options for both manual and CNC setups, combined with an incredibly powerful yet user-friendly software platform with no annual licensing fees, this offering creates exceptional options and opportunities for our customer base."

This strategic collaboration not only enhances Fowler's product portfolio but also reinforces the company's dedication to delivering innovative and quality metrology equipment. The addition of Aberlink's CMM solutions further solidifies Fowler's position as a comprehensive one-stop-shop in the U.S. for all CMM, Scanning, Vision, Horizontal, Calibration, Hand Tools, and Service needs.

Marcus Eales, owner of Aberlink, said, “Aberlink is the only internationally recognized CMM manufacturer to still offer a Manual CMM.  With CMM software upgrades free-of-cost for the life of the machine, the cost of ownership is minimal.  This continues to be very popular with customers in the U.S. that want an affordable easy-to-use manual CMM.  Fowler’s extensive sales network has reached out to the small engineering companies, and I know our success will continue following their appointment as our exclusive distributor.”

For more information, visit www.fowlerprecision.com.

US Cutting Tool Orders Totaled $187.9 Million in December 2023, Bringing the Year-to-Date Total Up 6.9% From 2022

December 2023 U.S. cutting tool consumption totaled $187.9 million, according to the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. This total, as reported by companies participating in the Cutting Tool Market Report collaboration, was down 7.3% from November’s $202.7 million and down 0.3% when compared with the $188.4 million reported for December 2022. With a year-to-date total of $2.45 billion, 2023 is up 6.9% when compared to the same time period in 2022.

“With 2024 comes change and challenge,” stated Steve Boyer, president of USCTI. “The U.S. cutting tool industry will continue to see growth opportunities in aerospace, automotive, medical, and computer-related segments but slowing and declines in other markets. While forecasts initially anticipated interest rate declines as we moved into 2024, recent inflation indicators appear to temper those expectations.”

Mark Killion, director of U.S. industries at Oxford Economics, added: “After a strong start to 2023, shipments of cutting tools weakened in the last quarter of the year, falling 7.3% in December. As a result, shipments ended the year near their 2022 levels.”

The Cutting Tool Market Report is jointly compiled by AMT and USCTI, two trade associations representing the development, production, and distribution of cutting tool technology and products. It provides a monthly statement on U.S. manufacturers’ consumption of the primary consumable in the manufacturing process – the cutting tool. Analysis of cutting tool consumption is a leading indicator of both upturns and downturns in U.S. manufacturing activity, as it is a true measure of actual production levels.

Historical data for the Cutting Tool Market Report is available dating back to January 2012. This collaboration of AMT and USCTI is the first step in the two associations working together to promote and support U.S.-based manufacturers of cutting tool technology.

For more information, visit https://www.amtonline.org/.

SME Partners with Alliance for Working Together Foundation to Boost Manufacturing Workforce Development Efforts

SME, the nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America's talent and capabilities, announced a strategic partnership with the Alliance for Working Together Foundation (AWT), an organization based in Ohio dedicated to promoting manufacturing careers and bridging the gap in the industry’s skilled workforce.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in SME’s efforts to further the professional interests of manufacturing professionals and related industries, motivate interest in manufacturing in community groups, schools, and institutions, as well as to encourage the exchange and dissemination of technical, product, and market information. By joining forces with AWT, SME strengthens its presence and impact in Northeast Ohio and beyond, both in-person and virtually.

Under the partnership, SME and AWT will facilitate greater networking and collaboration opportunities. SME Chapters in Ohio and its surrounding areas will have access to and tour AWT’s Transformation Training Center which provides training and pathways for Northeast Ohio’s collective skilled manufacturing labor force and serves as a hub for workforce development for Northeast Ohio. This arrangement will initially span one year, during which both organizations will focus on developing joint programming aimed at promoting workforce training and careers in manufacturing.

“This partnership between SME and AWT underscores the importance of organizations working together to meet common goals in supporting manufacturing,” said Sheronda Carr, vice president, SME Membership. “By leveraging our complementary strengths and resources, we can better address the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry creating a cohesive link from K-16 at inspiring and engaging the next workforce, creating many more opportunities for career development.”

“This collaboration will help accelerate the work both SME and AWT are doing separately in workforce development across the country,” said Teresa Simons, executive director of AWT. “The agreement will help us promote the advancement of rewarding careers in manufacturing for the long-term success and growth of our manufacturing community.”

The partnership will see SME and AWT collaborating on various initiatives, including organizing joint webinars, in-person events, and programs addressing topics of mutual interest such as attracting skilled talent, manufacturing education, and awareness of important industry issues. Additionally, joint projects such as career forums, workshops, and educational offerings will be explored to maximize mutual benefits.

For more information, visit SME.org.

Onto Innovation 4Di InSpec Automated Metrology System Receives 2024 Innovative System of the Year Award from FANUC America

Onto Innovation Inc. and its Tucson subsidiary 4D Technology announced they’ve been named winner of FANUC America’s prestigious 2024 Innovative System of the Year award for the 4Di InSpec automated metrology system (AMS). The system enables automated surface defect and feature metrology for aviation, aerospace and other applications in the industrial manufacturing market. The patented, vibration-immune technology enables the unique capability of using non-contact, three-dimensional optical metrology on the production floor, providing new levels of defect inspection with micrometer-level resolution. In partnership with OptiPro Systems, the 4Di InSpec AMS systems were delivered in the second half of 2023 to several leading aerospace engine manufacturers.   

“We are honored to be recognized as an innovator by a robotic industry leader like FANUC America,” said Erik Novak, vice president and general manager of Onto Innovation subsidiary 4D Technology. “The combination of FANUC robotics with 4Di non-contact sensor technologies provides a unique platform for improving throughput, quality and delivery times in industrial manufacturing. We look forward to the continued expansion of our automation metrology portfolio to help our customers solve some of the more complex industrial manufacturing challenges in the industry.”

The aviation industry is focused on safety amid the ongoing labor shortage post-pandemic, driving a renewed emphasis for an increase in quality control and improved labor utilization. Currently, visual inspection of engines is the standard quality control practice, including repro-rubber and shadowgraph off-line techniques, which are time-consuming and subjective. The industry can utilize the 4Di InSpec automated metrology solution to achieve significantly higher sampling rates and improved quality control while providing fast, accurate and reproducible results. The automated system is capable of measuring 400 typical engine call-out measurements in under 30 minutes, which can take weeks using traditional methods, enabling manufacturers to reallocate labor for other critical tasks. The technology has demonstrated the ability to reduce scrap and rework by up to 40% on engine components.

The 4Di InSpec AMS can be configured for multiple applications, including large, rotary applications, small freeform components such as turbine blades and multi-sensor applications. Bob Wasilesky, senior director of sales and marketing for Onto Innovation subsidiary 4D Technology, said, “Multi-sensor, automated systems are the next step to delivering increased value to our customers, where one robot, with dual sensors, can measure surface roughness, surface features and defect inspection all in one system, greatly increasing efficiencies.”

For more information, visit www.ontoinnovation.com.

X-Rite Appoints Jeff McKee as President

X-Rite Incorporated announced the appointment of Jeff McKee from Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to the role of President.

The strategic promotion reflects McKee’s 20 years of unwavering dedication to X-Rite and his commitment to customer excellence. In his new role, McKee will lead the company into the future of digital color management, automation, and 3D visualization.

X-Rite is an operating company in Veralto’s (NYSE: VLTO) Product Quality and Innovation segment, which helps customers safeguard everyday essentials by protecting the food supply chain, enabling the delivery of verified pharmaceuticals, and ensuring product quality, freshness, and consistency.

Throughout his tenure at X-Rite, McKee has demonstrated leadership across various roles, and his insights have been instrumental in shaping X-Rite’s long-term success. He has overseen the finance, information technologies, and global services businesses, including inside sales, order entry, product management, and service centers. In addition, he played a pivotal role in facilitating the company’s M&A strategy through several strategic acquisitions.

“It couldn't be a more exciting and important time to be leading X-Rite, as customers face new business challenges and make moves to create more sustainable manufacturing processes," said McKee. "Our company is fueled by an incredible team of talented associates, and I look forward to working with them as we expand and innovate our portfolio of solutions and continue to deliver world-class service.”

“As we look ahead, Jeff’s vision for the color science and technology market aligns seamlessly with Veralto’s mission to create a safer, cleaner, more vibrant future,” said Mattias Byström, Senior Vice President, Product Quality and Innovation, Veralto. “Under his leadership, X-Rite will continue to innovate across hardware, software, and services, delivering digital workflow solutions that help customers meet their sustainability goals.”

For more information, visit www.xrite.com.

GlobalData: EV manufacturers looking for innovative electrode active material suppliers

General Motors (GM) recently finalized a significant battery material supply contract worth $19 billion with South Korea's LG Chem, marking a major milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Under the agreement, LG Chem will supply cathode active materials until 2035, sufficient to power up to five million cars produced by GM. This collaboration exemplifies the substantial commercial value that high-value innovators in electrode active materials have been achieving in recent times, as highlighted by Technology Foresights, a proprietary framework developed by GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

The significance of cathode active materials, and more broadly, electrode active materials, cannot be overstated in the realm of high-performance EV batteries. Nickel, magnesium, and other metals constitute the active materials, playing a pivotal role in the electrochemical reactions throughout the charging and discharging processes. The increasing adoption of EVs over the past decade has fuelled a heightened need for electrode materials that exhibit superior efficiency and extended lifespan.

Sourabh Nyalkalkar, Practice Head of Innovation Products at GlobalData, comments: “Within the landscape of EV technologies, there has been a steady growth in innovation pertaining to electrode active materials. Notably, the landscape of innovation in this domain is primarily shaped by prominent corporations in Southeast Asia, dominated by companies with heavy R&D investments in advanced materials and specialty chemicals manufacturing.

“An interesting observation from the innovation leadership map on the Technology Foresights platform is the strategic efforts made by a few automotive giants, including Toyota, Hyundai, and BYD. These companies are internally enhancing their capabilities for the development of electrode materials and various other components crucial to battery technology.”

LG Chem's leadership in over thirty innovations related to EV and battery technology solidifies its position as a key collaborator for EV manufacturers. However, the Technology Foresights platform highlights numerous other significant players who are also establishing partnerships with automotive companies to supply electrode active materials for their EV product lines. For example, Umicore formed a joint venture with PowerCo, a unit of Volkswagen, in October 2023 to supply sustainable cathode electrode materials in Europe. Toshiba, another major player in this field, secured an agreement with EVage to provide electrode active materials for lithium-ion batteries, powering up to 10,000 EV vans. Also, Sony, having previously sold its battery technology assets to Murata Manufacturing, is now collaborating with Honda Motors to develop EV charging infrastructure.

Sourabh concludes, "In recent years, global automotive companies have formed several significant partnerships with key suppliers of EV components. The increasing pace of innovation indicates a rising level of competition, providing automotive manufacturers with a constant stream of advanced options to consider. This trend also serves as a signal for startups in the industry, such as StoreDot, A123, Honeycomb Energy (a spin-off from Great Wall Motors), and others, to seize the opportunities that arise and meet the challenges presented by the evolving landscape.”

For more information, visit https://www.globaldata.com/.

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2023 Manufacturing Technology Orders Beat Expectations as December Adds $491 Million

Just like the larger U.S. economy fared better than many predicted at the beginning of 2023, orders of manufacturing technology, measured by the U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders Report published by AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, outperformed even the best expectations. In an upside surprise, December 2023 orders totaled $491 million, up nearly 22% from November 2023, and nearly 12% above December 2022. This was the second-highest order level in 2023 and the first month of the year to outperform 2022 order levels. Orders in 2023 totaled $4.94 billion, 11.2% behind the $5.56 billion recorded in 2022. Although a decline, orders in 2023 surpassed many predictions, with some of the most pessimistic forecasters expecting the year to be down nearly 20% from 2022.

Contract machine shops decreased their 2023 orders just over 21% compared to 2022. This customer segment, the largest customer for manufacturing technology, is mostly small-to-medium-sized businesses, so their capital investment tends to be tied to a shorter-term economic outlook. Even with their pullback in orders, 2023 exceeded expectations due to investment from larger OEMs, which tend to operate on much longer production schedules.

Automotive orders in 2023 rose 2% from 2022. This growth came primarily from manufacturers of automotive transmissions, who made their second-largest investment since 2000, falling short of 2015 by only 1.3%. While a lot of attention has been paid to investments in electric vehicle production lines, such as the one recently announced by Toyota, automakers have also been heavily investing in production lines that make traditional internal combustion engines.

Although the aerospace sector’s 2023 orders decreased nearly 9% from 2022, it still recorded its fourth-best year for manufacturing technology orders. Despite issues with the Boeing 737 MAX-9 that have dominated news cycles, the aerospace sector decreased orders in 2023 by less than the overall market and is positioned to continue investing in manufacturing technology in 2024.

Manufacturers of ventilation, heating, air conditioning, and commercial refrigeration equipment made the largest investment in manufacturing technology since 2012, increasing orders by over one-third from 2022. This investment was likely driven by the massive uptick in new construction that was brought about by recent government legislation and investment, such as the Chips and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Orders of manufacturing technology outperformed expectations in 2023, and there are several reasons to believe the momentum will carry over into 2024. For example, shipments of cutting tools increased in 2023 by nearly 7%, as measured by the Cutting Tool Market Report, a collaboration between AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology and the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute. This increase in shipments of consumables used in the metal machining process indicates that machines in the field are increasing output. This is a good sign for machinery orders in 2024, as increased output could signal a coming need for additional capacity.

The January 2024 reading of the Gardner Business Index, a sentiment indicator produced by Gardner Business Media, shows the manufacturing sector is still in a moderate contraction but improving to its highest confidence level in nine months. Further, expectations of business conditions over the next 12 months are quite positive. There are certainly challenges to the manufacturing technology industry that have been highlighted in previous articles but also many opportunities as we head deeper into the new year and toward another IMTS in September 2024.

For more information, visit https://www.amtonline.org/.

Physical Test Equipment Legend Paul N. Gardner, Jr Passes at 81

The physical test equipment industry has lost a true legend. Paul N. Gardner Jr., former President and Chairman of the Board of the Paul N. Gardner Company (GARDCO),  passed away on February 8, 2024, at the age of 81. His legacy is one of dedication, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Throughout his more than 40 years of active involvement with GARDCO, starting in 1981, Paul Gardner Jr. played a pivotal role in the company's success. Rising to the position of President and Chairman of the Board in 1995, he led with vision and integrity.

Paul Gardner Jr.'s influence extended beyond his company to the broader industry. As an active member of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) for over 37 years, he contributed significantly to the advancement of standards in the field of paint and related coatings. His family's involvement with ASTM dated back over a century, with a lineage of influence tracing back to his grandfather Henry A. Gardner Sr.'s participation in 1908.

Within ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Paul Gardner Jr. made a lasting impact. He demonstrated his commitment to recognizing the dedication of fellow members by establishing an Awards program. Through monetary contributions, his company established the Gardner Task Group Chairman of the Year Award, honoring sustained leadership in standard development. Additionally, the Euverard Innovation Award, endowed by the Paul Gardner Company, celebrates individuals who develop innovative test devices used in standards development under the jurisdiction of D01.

Paul N. Gardner Jr. served as an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working alongside him. His contributions to his company, industry, and standards development will be remembered and cherished by many.

For more information, visit www.gardco.com.

Mahr Inc. Announces Roberts as General Manager, Sales

Mahr Inc. announced that John Roberts has joined the company as General Manager, Sales, covering the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. In addition to field sales, he will oversee Mahr’s Engineered Solutions business as well as marketing, product management, applications engineering, service, customer resource center, and distribution teams.

John brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record with more than 30 years of experience in the industrial automation sector. He joins Mahr from B&R Industrial Automation, a member of the ABB Group, where he served in a series of progressively senior sales management positions, including managing director of growth markets, senior vice president of sales, and finally, as global product group manager for HMI.

Throughout his career, John has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in product management, sales, and business development. His deep understanding of industrial control technology has been instrumental in enhancing product quality and performance, along with his commitment to driving growth and innovation in global markets. John's leadership skills and strategic vision have consistently resulted in enhanced performance, revenue growth, and market expansion. He is an advocate for digital transformation and is passionate about delivering customer-centric solutions that optimize industrial processes.

For more information, visit  www.mahr.com.

Manufacturing Institute Releases Report on Transitioning Military-Affiliated Talent into Manufacturing

The Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers—in partnership with Colonial Life, released a report on how manufacturers can optimize their recruitment and retention efforts for military-connected talent. The report highlights case studies from the MI’s Heroes MAKE America initiative, using testimonials from leading manufacturers and from military-affiliated manufacturing team members to illustrate the best practices manufacturers are using to meet the unique needs of the military talent pool and leverage their skills and experience.

“The MI is extraordinarily proud of the growth and accomplishments of the Heroes MAKE America initiative, and we’re especially excited about its future. Heroes MAKE America provides real recruitment and retention solutions for manufacturers, while simultaneously fostering the next-generation of skilled manufacturing workers, preparing military-affiliated talent for rewarding careers in the industry and connecting them with eager employers,” said MI President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee. “The military-affiliated talent pool is essential to the growth of the skilled manufacturing workforce as our industry works to overcome the skills gap. This report demonstrates that manufacturers who find new ways to incorporate members of the greater military community into their recruitment pipelines gain a competitive edge.”

Key Findings:

• The military-affiliated talent pool is large. With approximately 200,000 service members leaving the service each year, there were 8.6 million veterans employed in 2022, with 12% in manufacturing.
• The MI’s Heroes MAKE America program has seen great success in issuing more than 6,000 industry-recognized certifications, achieving a 90% placement rate among graduates in more than 350 companies in 48 states and introducing more than 12 million individuals from the greater military community to information about manufacturing careers through social media, VA newsletters and virtual and in-person industry events.
• As military service comprises years of rigorous training, manufacturing leaders overwhelmingly report that military-affiliated talent are disciplined and process-oriented, possessing strong leadership and technical skills and “soft skills,” including a strong work ethic.
• The top military-acquired skill that HMA alumni considered most applicable to their manufacturing career was attention to detail and precision in work (90%).
• The top reasons HMA alumni decided to pursue a career in manufacturing included earnings potential (60%) and job security and stability (58.5%).
• Research suggests that veterans remain with their initial company 8.3% longer than nonveterans and are 39% more likely to be promoted earlier than nonveterans.
• Manufacturing leaders are attracting military-affiliated talent through efforts such as partnering with local military installations and veteran service organizations (35.2%), providing educational benefits (28.6%), staffing their human resources team with military-affiliated recruiters (28.6%), creating veteran employee resource groups/mentorship programs (28.6%) and working with the community on veterans’ initiatives (28.6%).
• Manufacturers would benefit from developing more structured and targeted methods of collecting and analyzing metrics related to attracting and retaining military talent. Developing an internal system that tracks the number of self-identified military talent applicants, hires and tenure can bolster the business case for focusing recruitment efforts on this population.

For more information, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org.

Flexxbotics, Zaptic Win Hexagon’s Third ‘Sixth Sense’ Cohort of Advanced Manufacturing Startups

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division announced Flexxbotics and Zaptic winners of its third ‘Sixth Sense’ cohort. Both were chosen as winners following an intense program for the eight cohort participants that culminated with a pitching competition at the Sixth Sense Summit, at CodeNode in London. Acerta Analytics was named as the runner-up in Hexagon’s third cohort.

A panel of distinguished judges from Hexagon’s corporate leadership team awarded Flexxbotics as a winner for its technology that provides workcell digitization for ‘robot-driven manufacturing’. Zaptic joined the Flexxbotics team in the winner’s circle for its connected worker platform for manufacturing that digitizes operations and accelerates operational excellence.

The cohort winners will be given access to Hexagon's extensive resources for global expansion, including potential funding, worldwide office space, and the company’s comprehensive suite of products and services. Additionally, they will be showcased on Hexagon's cloud-based digital reality platform for manufacturing, Nexus, providing them visibility with world-class companies and the opportunity to connect to their systems and data to solve bigger challenges and deliver them more value.

“We are thrilled to announce Flexxbotics and Zaptic as the winners of Hexagon's third Sixth Sense cohort because both address critical automation and productivity challenges while pushing forward the digitization of the manufacturing industry,” said Josh Weiss, president of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division. “Sixth Sense was conceived to identify emerging innovations and has succeeded in providing a platform for high-growth startups such as Flexxbotics and Zaptic, granting them access to resources and customers that are typically beyond reach at this stage of their development.”

“Sixth Sense with Hexagon has been a tremendously valuable experience, and we’re thrilled to be selected as the Industry 4.0 manufacturing robotics software winner of the program,” said Tyler Bouchard, Co-founder & CEO at Flexxbotics. “We believe that the fleets of robots in the smart factory will run lights-out production, and that integrated inspection will be the critical ‘eyes & ears’ of autonomous manufacturing.”

“It’s an honor to be selected as a winner for Sixth Sense, and we’re thankful for the invaluable guidance and support we’ve received,” said Sandy Reid, Co-founder and CCO at Zaptic. “As knowledge and skill gaps continue to widen, manufacturers desperately need a more efficient way to secure and build capability in the workforce. Partnering with Hexagon will allow us to meet this need at scale with Zaptic’s AI-guided connected worker solution integrated with Hexagon products and service, delivering guided machine operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance to end users.”

Hexagon, the digital reality leader, which plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing of 90% of aircraft, 75% of smartphones, and 95% of all automobiles worldwide, launched Sixth Sense in January 2022 to nurture startups with cutting-edge innovations that address critical manufacturing industry challenges.

US-based Gelsight, was named the winner of Hexagon’s second cohort in February of last year for its 3D tactile sensing solution through a digital sense of touch. It announced a global partnership to develop and sell solutions globally with Hexagon earlier this week. Hexagon would also like to congratulate the rest of the third cohort for their impressive pitches and dedication to growth during the program. These innovative startups include Dessia, Launchpad, Rafinex, RV Magnetics, and ToffeeX.

“Sixth Sense is honored to be open to innovators worldwide addressing some of the planet's most significant challenges,” said Milan Kocić, Head of Sixth Sense at Hexagon. “Across our three cohorts, we have witnessed how startup innovation empowers manufacturing leaders to confront society's future challenges. We eagerly anticipate welcoming another new cohort with diverse backgrounds and solutions to the latest challenges.”

For more information, visit https://sixthsense.hexagon.com/ or hexagon.com/mi.