The ISTMA 16th World Conference secures global key opinion leaders to share knowledge and insights on the tooling industry

This November, the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA) – the world’s largest representative body for global tooling manufacturing – will host its next triennial world conference and general assembly in Cape Town.

The conference is bringing a line-up of key global opinion leaders and captains of industry in the tooling and machining industries.

Termed as the backbone of the manufacturing industry, the tooling industry was valued at over $200 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to over $400 billion by 2030.

Tooling is made up of moulds, dies, jigs, fixtures, assembly systems, and gauges used to manufacture all manufactured goods, and is often referred to as providing the means of manufacturing all goods.

According to Allied Market Research, the designing and manufacturing of these tools directly affects the production quality of the manufacturing industry.

Tooling occupies a key position in the industrial supply chain, linking product development and the manufacturing process.

The proper implementation of the design, manufacture, and use of tooling determines the reliable and cost-effective manufacturing of products, which is a key growth factor for a manufacturing economy.

All manufacturing operations require tooling, with more than 60% of the effective cost of any manufactured product being directly related to the correct selection of the tooling used for the manufacturing process.

The ongoing maintenance and development of the tooling sector in a country has a positive and exponential impact on the manufacturing economy of that country.

This year, the conference themes for the ISTMA 16th World Conference are Sustainable development, Technical advances in tooling manufacturing and Skills development. These will be delivered by a line-up of highly respected thought leaders from across the world and include:

Bob Williamson – President, ISTMA World
Bob Williamson is an acknowledged international expert on the relationship of the tooling industry with the creation and sustainability of a manufacturing economy. He is the President of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA World) which comprises 23 countries with more than 8000 member companies and an estimated turnover of US$120 billion. He is also the Executive Chair of the South African INTSIMBI Future Production Technologies Initiative, a government and Industry partnership established to rehabilitate the Tooling Sector for the benefit of the manufacturing economy, and serves as an Executive Director at the Production Technologies Association of South Africa (PtSA).

He has had a career spanning 40 years in the tooling industry locally and internationally at an executive level and has played a pivotal role in the development of key core competencies.

Professor Dr-Ing Thomas Seul – President, VDWF e.V.
Professor Dr-Ing Thomas Seul has been a professor of manufacturing technology and tool design at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences since 2007. He has held the office of Vice President for Research and Transfer at the university since January 2008 and, has been the president of the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers in an honorary capacity since 2010.

In the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Professor Seul represents, in particular, the teaching and research activities in the Applied Plastics Technology course. The focus of his research activities is on product development of plastic components and tool design, especially for the medical technology industry.

Montez King – Executive Director, NIMS
Montez King is the Executive Director of National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS), the nationally recognized organization in the USA, responsible for developing national standards, competency-based credentials, and training frameworks in manufacturing industries. King is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the NIMS operation including administration, programs, and strategic planning.

Michael Kirbach – Director: DMG MORI Aerospace / Die & Mold Excellence Center, DECKEL Maho Pfronten
Michael Kirbach is a graduate engineer specialising in precision engineering with a focus on production and automation. Kirbach has worked in the aviation industry for more than 30 years, holding various senior positions in engineering, sales, marketing and material management. He has been Head of the DMG MORI Aerospace Excellence Center since 2012 and in 2020, took on the additional responsibility of Die & Mold.

The ISTMA 16th World Conference will give delegates access to ISTMA World’s hub of expertise, key cooperation and knowledge sharing as well as invaluable exposure and networking opportunities.

“I encourage everyone who is in the sector to attend the ISTMA 16th World Conference and be part of the rich conversations that will take place at the conference,” noted Williamson.

Don’t miss out on this expertly organised global conference, registration is now open.