Swiss-based special steel producer and distributor Schmolz+Bickenbach Group has announced that its subsidiary Finkl Steel will invest in a new tool and die production line in Québec, Canada to support automotive suppliers to improve their level of competitiveness and also to offer fine machining of tool and die steel as well as secondary heat treatment to tool and die manufacturers, one of its key customer groups. The investment for the new line will total approximately €1.85 million. The new facility is scheduled to begin operations in spring 2017.
Finkl Steel stated that the automotive industry sets high standards of quality and efficiency for their suppliers and tool and die makers must adapt their manufacturing processes to these requirements. Consequently, one task is to reduce their overall lead-time. As of 2017, the company will offer three different finishing processes from a single source, drilling, milling and heat treatment, a full-service offering that is unique in North America. Accordingly, customers will receive semi-finished products for further direct processing and this will make the time-to-market of their products faster.