Global and economically challenging conditions, disrupted supply chains, increasing quality requirements, and growing innovation pressure: For companies with high manufacturing depth, specialized requirements, and significant dependence on functioning cutting processes – such as in market segments for safety-critical products with confidentiality obligations, automotive and vehicle construction, electronics, and aerospace – complete control over the supply chain is becoming increasingly crucial. Strategically sensible is even the reshoring of central manufacturing processes. Control over the production of cutting tools as key components in the value chain is part of this. HAWEMA Werkzeugschleifmaschinen GmbH from Tuningen supports these industries with tailored system solutions for economically and strategically successful vertical integration.
The past years have clearly shown how vulnerable global supply chains are – and how valuable overall control over one's own production can be. Particularly sensitive areas such as aerospace or market segments with safety-critical applications, where documentation, confidentiality, and unrestricted availability have the highest priority, are under pressure.
Alexander Joos, Managing Director of HAWEMA Werkzeugschleifmaschinen GmbH: 'Those who want to succeed in these markets must not only produce efficiently but also independently and resiliently. Among other things, reshoring tool grinding to one's own facility creates exactly that: maximum control, highest precision, and immediate availability – a strategic lever that is worth more than any short-term cost savings in light of global uncertainties.'
With vertical integration back to high manufacturing depth
Vertical integration means the strategic concept behind it: Critical processing steps are brought back from service providers to one's own facility. This gives companies full control over quality, time, and innovation while simultaneously protecting their technologies from external insights. Alexander Joos: 'Self-production is particularly rewarding despite the high investment in hardware, software, and manpower when, for example, manufacturing depth and production volume are high, confidentiality obligations exist, special tools with short life cycles or tight tolerances are required, or rapid responses to changes in component development are often necessary. The ROI quickly becomes apparent, and cost savings per piece through in-house production are quickly noticeable from medium batch sizes.'
Thus, vertical integration has many strategic advantages:
Full control over quality and processes
Own machines, own tools, own standards: This eliminates rework, inquiries to external service providers, or compromises on tolerances.
Reduced dependence on supply chains
Whether geopolitical crises, raw material shortages, or transport difficulties – those who map key processes internally remain capable of action.
Higher economic efficiency
Fewer service providers, less transport effort, shorter distances: The long-term savings from in-house production become noticeable even from medium quantities.
Shorter lead times
From CAD model to finished tool – without external interfaces, delays, or coordination loops.
Innovation advantage through in-house expertise
Those who produce in-house can adapt faster, implement variants, and drive developments forward – a clear advantage in dynamic markets.
Alexander Joos: 'Our technical system solutions and training offerings enable companies of all sizes to substantially expand their manufacturing depth. We make our customers more independent from third parties and empower them to produce customized precision tools in-house. Because those who have processes under their own control are more independent, faster, and economically viable in the long term. Especially for system manufacturers in the high-end segment, in-house production is a strategic advantage – whether for high-performance components, special tools, or small series with confidentiality requirements.'
HAWEMA provides the appropriate technology concepts – from CNC grinding machines to automation to digital production data management and customized service and support packages. These are modular complete systems that can be individually adapted to the requirements of a manufacturing operation.
• CNC tool grinding centers (e.g., HAWEMAT 2001/3000 Granite): High precision through thermally stable granite bed and patented HAWEMA kinematics system.
• Automation units: Robot cells and loading systems for unmanned shift operation and maximum machine utilization.
• MES/production data management: Control and optimization of the entire production with full transparency.
• Measuring systems and quality assurance: Optical or tactile solutions for documented inspection of all geometries – internally, flexibly, efficiently.
• Optional coating technology (PVD/CVD): For short reaction times, protected developments, and independent prototype manufacturing.
• Leasing or rent-to-own reduces capital commitment
• Funding programs for automation and digitalization offer attractive opportunities and decision-making aids
With these components, according to HAWEMA, both entry-level solutions for medium-sized companies and complex manufacturing cells for highly specialized companies can be realized. CNC grinding machine, software, measuring technology, basic automation, and scalable options such as robotics, data integration, measuring technology, and coating can be customized. Employee training programs and learning and qualification measures ensure professional manpower.
Leasing models and funding programs reduce capital commitment and enable a smooth entry into in-house production.
Alexander Joos: 'Vertical integration is not only an economic issue today but a matter of strategic sovereignty. In safety-critical industries and high-tech fields, the ability to produce cutting tools for processing or manufacturing one's own key components can be a decisive success factor. Vertical integration pays off when technology and strategy go hand in hand: Those who have sufficient utilization potential and structure the investment cleverly – for example, through leasing or rent-to-own – not only gain economically but also technologically. Especially in industries where high-performance materials and complex geometries dominate, customized tools from in-house grinding expertise ensure speed, quality, and independence. HAWEMA provides the technologies and turn-key concepts to implement this step economically viable and technically capable.'
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