STUDER looks back on a solid 2024 financial year

By Staff Report March 28, 2025 12:30 pm IST

The Swiss manufacturer of precision cylindrical grinding machines improved its market position worldwide, driving forward technological innovations and further increasing operational efficiency.

This year’s press conference was held live from the Fritz Studer AG studio in Steffisburg in front of numerous international media representatives. “Thanks to the high diversification of our portfolio, we can look back on a solid financial year 2024 with growth in several markets and industries,” said Jens Bleher, who has been CEO of STUDER since 2018 and will join the management of the UNITED GRINDING Group as COO on April 1, 2025. Bleher is handing over the CEO position to long-standing CSO Sandro Bottazzo. “In addition to quality, the focus of activities at STUDER is therefore on increasing productivity, intensive cost management, and the introduction of new, innovative technologies. STUDER remains a reliable partner for our customers and sees itself in an excellent position to face global competition,” says Bleher.

STUDER maintained its market share worldwide and even expanded it in individual countries and regions, explained Sandro Bottazzo, new CEO and Chairman of the Management Board since March 1, 2025. He added: “We are continuing to expand our leading position in the universal cylindrical grinding machine market step by step.” The development of new customers was very positive, with a year-on-year increase to around 43%. Strong segments were the Asian automotive and supplier industry, tool and die, and the machine tool industry. STUDER continued to expand its presence in the aerospace sector and strengthen its market position, similar to the previous year. Overall, order intake was only slightly below last year’s figures.

Another record turnover in customer care

The quality manufacturer of cylindrical grinding machines recorded a very good development in incoming orders, particularly in North America. Asia, which remains the largest sales region, and the Latin, Northern, and Eastern European countries also posted strong results. By contrast, Central Europe, and Germany in particular, fell short of expectations.

The Customer Care division performed very well, again posting record sales in 2024. The expansion of international and multilingual service coverage with decentralized service specialists proved to be a success, Bottazzo emphasised. The spare parts business, maintenance, machine overhauls and conversions achieved record sales, and the service business remained at the previous year’s very high level of capacity utilisation.

New favoritCNC and Innovative Grinding Technology

Innovation and the development of modern and reliable grinding technologies remained the focus for STUDER in 2024, said CTO Daniel Huber. One of the main development projects was the new generation of the favoritCNC universal cylindrical grinding machine. Among other things, it now features the latest FANUC controls and a “Conventional Mode,” allowing customers to work as they would on a conventional grinding machine, making the transition to CNC particularly easy. Other new features include automation options and more powerful grinding spindles.

Another development focus is the new universal W-axis for the S33 and S31. This is integrated onto the Z-slide and enables different workpiece lengths to be ground automatically without operator intervention. The tailstock with fixed center, the tailstock spindle with driven center, and measuring heads offer innovative grinding technology advantages. The direct force measurement allows a force-controlled clamping process with maximum precision, repeatability, and enables small clamping forces for fragile parts.

New Applications for SmartJet® and WireDress®

Huber was delighted with the success of the SmartJet® coolant concept. Last year, its application was further expanded, including optimisations for thread grinding and plug-in coolant nozzles for different grinding wheel profiles. New developments for the WireDress® dressing process allow dressing internal grinding wheels, meaning the system can now be used for both external and internal grinding wheels in the same setup.

The CTO emphasised that the conversion of all relevant CNC platforms to C.O.R.E. has been completed. The UNITED GRINDING Group’s uniform hardware and software architecture is revolutionsing grinding and machine tool capabilities.

Enhanced Spindle Expertise

COO Stephan Stoll provided an overview of Operations. Despite market challenges, manufacturing and assembly resources were largely utilised with STUDER’s machine business, inter-company activities, and prototype system developments.

Key optimization projects included the expansion of internal spindle expertise. A highly efficient, automated spindle shaft production facility was commissioned, and all assembly processes were consolidated with state-of-the-art inspection and testing equipment. Highly specialised personnel, along with advanced assembly, data analysis, and diagnostic tools, allow STUDER to develop spindles to the highest standards.

The internal electrical pre-assembly has also been completely renewed. “We are now able to produce everything from individual cable sets to fully wired, complex electrical control cabinets in a highly efficient, order-specific, and just-in-time manner,” said Stoll.

Planning for the redesign and automation of internal logistics infrastructure was completed last year, with implementation in progress and commissioning scheduled for December 2025.

Lighting Converted to LED

STUDER remained committed to sustainability and efficiency. LED lighting was largely implemented, and various operational supply systems were replaced with energy-efficient devices. The new logistics facility will also reduce energy consumption.

A wide range of digitalisation projects are being driven forward to enhance efficiency across operations, Stoll emphasised.

Jens Bleher concluded by emphasising the great importance of excellently trained and motivated employees for STUDER’s long-term success. “We are fully committed to vocational training. More than 11 percent of our workforce are apprentices,” said Bleher.