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Great Lakes Tech Tour 2017

Manufacterers from across the Great Lakes area traveled to Grand Rapids, MI to take part in our Great Lakes Tech Tour 2017. 

GLTech-13Thanks to all of the attendees who joined us for the Great Lakes Tech Tour 2017.

Attendees received a behind the scenes tour through some of the most innovative manufacturers in the West Michigan area. We visited first-class local pioneers who have embraced the latest in manufacturing technology to increase production capabilities and reduce handling, while maintaining the flexibility required in adapting to changing market demands.

Stiles Machinery – Grand Rapids, Michigan

GLTech-1Paul DeLosh kicks off the tour with a stop in our Parts & Shipping area here at the Stiles Machinery headquarters.

GLTech-2Tour attendees watch a live demonstration on a HOMAG Vantech CNC Router in our Stiles University Learning Lab. The tour later traveled to HOMAG Machinery North America to tour the facility where Vantech routers are produced here in Michigan.

GLTech-3An attendee takes video of the HOMAG Venture 115 as it produces a small mug as part of our demonstration.

GLTech-4The visit to our Grand Rapids headquarters also included a demonstration of the HOMAG IntelliStore panel management system.

Paladin Industries – Kentwood, Michigan

GLTech-5The first stop on our tour was Paladin Industries, located in Kentwood, Michigan. Paladin provides custom-run production solutions for customers in a wide range of industries with craftsmanship in mind.

GLTech-5Steve Swanson of Paladin provides a detailed tour of their production process and technologies, including their lamination and pressing processes.

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GLTech-11A Paladin employee runs parts on their HOMAG edgebander with AirTec as tour attendees observe.

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Tiara Yachts – Holland, Michigan

GLTech-12The second stop on our tour was Tiara Yachts, located in Holland, MI. Tiara provides boats and yachts for customers worldwide desiring the best in class.

GLTech-14A boat during assembly at Tiara Yachts.

HOMAG Machinery North America

GLTech-13The final visit on our tour was to HOMAG Machinery North America, the production facility for HOMAG Vantech and ABD CNC machines. Product Specialist James Swanson provided a tour of the facility.

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