Facing the future

ISMR sat down with Bystronic’s new CEO, Domenico Iacovelli, at EuroBLECH in Hanover recently to discuss the company’s latest innovations, as well as his market views and strategy for the Bystronic Group going forward.

====

Bystronic is a global sheet metal specialist, headquartered in Switzerland with over 3,500 employees worldwide at 40 locations. Additional development and production sites are in Sulgen (Switzerland); Gotha (Germany); Cazzago San Martino and San Giuliano Milanese (Italy); Tianjin, Shanghai and Shenzhen (China); and Hoffman Estates (USA). The Bystronic Group generated a net revenue of CHF 930 million in 2023.

Bystronic’s focus is on the automation of the complete material and data flow of the cutting and bending process chain. The intelligent connectivity of its laser cutting systems and press brakes with automation, software and service solutions is the key to comprehensive digitalisation in the sheet metal industry, it told ISMR.

Bending automation; laser automation; a new laser-cutter configuration system; electric bending; software, services and sustainability were just some of Bystronic’s highlights on its booth at the EuroBLECH sheet metal exhibition this October in Hanover, Germany. ISMR therefore sat down with Bystronic’s new CEO, Domenico Iacovelli, at EuroBLECH to discuss the company’s latest innovations, as well as his market views and strategy for the Bystronic Group going forward.

 

ISMR: What are your key technology highlights here at EuroBLECH?

DI: The world is moving away from single manually operated machines towards automation. Our new fully automated ByCell Bend Star M bending cell is one of this year’s highlights. The smaller ByBend Star 80 was a great success - we sold over 300 systems and now we want to scale-up.

We have completely changed the way that we configure laser cutting machines, by introducing our new ByCut Packages. Now, customers can choose from various configurations to better serve their production requirements.

As an innovation leader, we collaborate with customers, experts and partners to build a sustainable future. In our “Solution Forum” at EuroBLECH, visitors can learn about the world of green steel and discover how artificial intelligence and the industrial metaverse are revolutionising the industry.

ISMR: What are your views on the current global business climate for sheet metal professionals? What about in 2025?

DI: We are all in a very difficult market environment. You can read about this in the newspapers every day and many businesses are experiencing tremendous pressure. While we are adapting to changed market dynamics, we also expect a recovery in some markets relevant for Bystronic such as, for example, agriculture, job shops, white goods etc.

But, more profoundly, we must admit that mechanical engineering in the “Western world” has a structural problem. The largest sales market for years, China, is breaking away and it remains to be seen when, and if, the market will come back. China is increasingly able to cover its own production with machines and, thus, seeks to export into the world market. We must position ourselves accordingly so that we can defend against these attacks... I believe in local business by local suppliers and Bystronic is well positioned in this respect.

I have been on board at Bystronic for three months now. We are facing a very challenging global market. Bystronic has a great deal of knowledge as well as fantastic people with lots of expertise, so we have all the ingredients for success when the economy comes back.

In terms of profitability, I expect a much better year for us next year. In terms of volume, I do not expect a huge rebound, but I do see a recovery.

ISMR: Now that you have joined Bystronic, what will be your strategic direction for the company?

To read the rest of this interview in the November issue of ISMR, please see https://joom.ag/kz7d/p76