Good morning! When PMM launched a decade ago, our very first "In Other Words" Q&A was with the colorful Robert Schad about his plans for Athena Automation. In today's newsletter, Editor Ron Shinn remembers Schad, who died July 11 at age 95. (Is there someone we should profile? Let us know.)
Illig announced last week that it will be acquired by a German investor, Orlando Capital. It will continue to produce thermoforming and packaging equipment, but 200 jobs will be cut.
We also have new equipment from Frigel and Intravis, a milestone for Flexicon and a feature from our fellow Endeavor publication IndustryWeek about the German apprenticeship model.
Lynne Sherwin, managing editor