Kiefel reorganizes, cuts jobs; twin-screw extruder sales jump; the growth of additive manufacturing: Machinery Minutes, Nov. 18, 2024

In this week's episode of our Machinery Minutes podcast, learn about a reorganization at thermoformer maker Kiefel, which will include 100 job cuts at it German headquarters; the third-quarter report from PLASTICS' Committee on Equipment Statistics, which showed a significant jump in twin-screw extruder shipments; and the latest in our series examining 10 trends from PMM's first decade, a look at the rise of additive manufacturing. 

Transcript

Welcome to Machinery Minutes, where at the beginning of each week I share with you three things you need to know in three minutes. You can read the complete stories on plasticsmachinerymanufacturing.com.

No. 1 – Kiefel, the maker of thermoforming machinery, will reorganize, cutting 100 jobs at its headquarters in Freilassing, Germany.

The company cites a "challenging market situation" and "intensified global competition."

Of the 100 jobs expected to be eliminated, about one-quarter will come via retirements and contract expirations. While the company remains committed to the Freilassing site, service and innovation centers will be expanded in important markets.

For details, read the story “Kiefel will reorganize, cut 100 jobs.”

No. 2 – Not all the economic news this week was negative – Plastics machinery shipments rose in the third quarter, according to the Plastics Industry Association.

Twin-screw extruder shipments in particular experienced a jump.

Shipments of injection molding and extrusion machinery rose 41.9 percent in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter, according to the PLASTICS Committee on Equipment Statistics. The total shipment value was estimated at $319 million, up from $224.8 million in the second quarter. However, shipments were down 8.8 percent year-over-year.

Twin-screw extrusion shipments saw the most significant growth, with a 149.7 percent increase quarter-over-quarter and 43.1 percent year over year.

Interested in how other machinery segments fared and how OEMs think markets will behave in 2025?

Read the story headlined: “Plastics machinery shipments rise in Q3.”

No. 3 – Additive manufacturing has made great strides over the past decade, as 3D printing moves beyond prototyping to producing larger final parts as well as molds and tooling.

Faster technologies, better materials and declining prices are fueling growth of additive manufacturing.

This is just one of the plastics-industry trends the PMM staff has identified as our publication marks its 10th anniversary, and we reflect on the events and issues that shaped our coverage over our first decade.

To learn more, read our story headlined “Additive manufacturing makes great strides.”

Those are my Top 3 items you need to know for this week. We will have a new list every Monday.