Fabio Schoppet is the GRINDER OF THE YEAR 2026. The 28-year-old trainee precision tool mechanic at K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH prevailed in a two-day live competition at the GrindingHub in Stuttgart against Arman Hamidi, Laurin Mink, and Max Bergner. All finalists were awarded educational vouchers for their performances. In addition to the competitive aspect, the GRINDER OF THE YEAR (GOTY) particularly stands for the promotion of young talent and specifically addresses the shortage of skilled workers in grinding technology.
Four finalists, two days, one challenging task: The live final of the young talent competition GRINDER OF THE YEAR combined craftsmanship precision with competitive pressure. Under the watchful eyes of numerous trade fair visitors and a vigilant jury, the participants programmed a step drill with profile step according to drawing using the grinding software HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO and subsequently manufactured it on the tool grinding machine HELITRONIC MINI PLUS at the booth of the main sponsor UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS.
The outcome of the competition was determined by both the trained eyes of the jury – consisting of Thomas Riehle and Jochen Reiff, both team leaders in application technology at WALTER, as well as Lütfi Bozkurt, technical managing director at Diamond Tooling Systems DTS GmbH – and the precise measurement evaluation: The manufactured tools were directly checked on-site for quality and dimensional accuracy using the measuring machine HELICHECK PLUS.
“That was a really challenging grinding task, and the finalists consistently showed strong performance,” explains Thomas Riehle. “Even during the theoretical tasks and training, it became clear that it would be a close race. In the end, it was nuances that decided the placements. It is all the more impressive how confidently and with what quality the participants executed the task under trade fair conditions.”
In a theoretical preliminary round, the four finalists qualified. Subsequently, they completed a two-day training at WALTER in Tübingen, where they could familiarize themselves intensively with the grinding software and the tool grinding machine. This ensured comparable conditions for the final for all.
And the winner is ...
With a small but significant lead, Fabio Schoppet, trainee precision tool mechanic at K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, ultimately won the race for the title and received the educational voucher worth 3,000 euros as the first prize. He was followed by Max Bergner, trainee precision tool mechanic at KOPP Schleiftechnik, in second place (2,000 euros educational voucher), Laurin Mink, precision tool mechanic also at KOPP Schleiftechnik, in third place (1,000 euros educational voucher), and Arman Hamidi, trainee precision tool mechanic at GDS Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, in fourth place (500 euros educational voucher).
“The competition was already a challenge, but it was really fun and a really cool experience. I made many great contacts and had exciting conversations. When I realized that I was the winner, I was quite overwhelmed. That was the crowning conclusion,” said the happy winner, who wants to invest his prize in a technician or master school after his successful graduation.
Dr. Christoph Müller-Mederer, CEO of WALTER, then had a very special surprise: WALTER invites all four finalists for an exclusive visit to the Czech plant in Kuřim.
“All finalists did so well. Programming and grinding here under the conditions of the fair is a really big challenge and requires not only skill but also courage. We are so impressed by the four guys and their performance that we wanted to make them an additional joy with our invitation to our production,” said Dr. Christoph Müller-Mederer.
How much the GOTY has excited the finalists is summed up by the third-place winner: “The GOTY was really fun. We all won. I’m considering whether I should participate again in two years; then I might be able to improve my result,” says Laurin Mink with a confident smile.
Barbara Hannappel, managing director of KSKOMM and organizer of the competition, also draws a positive conclusion: “The GRINDER OF THE YEAR was again a great experience. What always impresses me is the team spirit. Although the finalists are competing against each other, there is no sense of rivalry. Friendships are formed here.
And this feeling of solidarity extends far beyond the participants. It is the entire industry. One has more the feeling that it is a big family. The appreciation for young talent in general and the great performance that the guys have delivered here is omnipresent.”
Cutting-edge technology as the key to competition
At the center of the competition was a seamless technology chain from WALTER – from programming to manufacturing to quality assurance. “What is special about WALTER is the seamless coordination of grinding software, machine, and measurement technology,” explains Dr. Christoph Müller-Mederer, CEO of Walter Maschinenbau GmbH. “This allows us to map the entire manufacturing process – from design to production to quality control – and create high process reliability while ensuring great flexibility.” For programming, the grinding software HELITRONIC TOOL STUDIO was used, which maps the entire process from design through simulation to finished machining.
On the tool grinding machine HELITRONIC MINI PLUS with C.O.R.E. technology, the finalists implemented their programs directly in practice and manufactured the step drills. The machine is particularly designed for the flexible production and re-sharpening of tools with small and medium diameters.
Thanks to its modular concept, it can be specifically adapted to different requirements. Various loading systems and efficiency options enable a future-proof configuration, while the compact design ensures optimal use of production space. The process chain was complemented by the measuring machine HELICHECK PLUS for quality control of the manufactured tools.
Support from renowned technology partners
As the main sponsor, UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS emphasizes the strategic importance of promoting young talent. "Supporting young talents is a central investment in the future of our industry," explains Stephan Nell, CEO of UNITED MACHINING SOLUTIONS. "The GRINDER OF THE YEAR connects young people early on with modern technology and shows how demanding and versatile tool grinding is today."
In addition to the main sponsor, other companies from the entire process chain of tool grinding supported the competition: GDS Präzisionszerspanungs GmbH (clamping devices), Gerhard Ihle Hartmetalle Werkzeuge e.K. (carbide), Saint-Gobain Abrasives GmbH (abrasives), oelheld GmbH (coolants), and Vomat GmbH (KSS fine filtration).
"Modern grinding technology is a combination of many factors. We want to convey this understanding to young professionals," says Martin Storr, Managing Partner of Sales & Marketing at oelheld. "The GRINDER OF THE YEAR impressively demonstrates how important this holistic thinking is in practice."
Everyone involved agreed that initiatives like the GRINDER OF THE YEAR are important to inspire young people for future-oriented and highly interesting high-tech professions. "The GRINDER OF THE YEAR is an ideal platform for us to promote young talents and simultaneously show the impact of precise clamping technology on the quality of the end product," explains Thomas Löhn, Managing Director of GDS Präzisionszerspanungs GmbH. "We are particularly pleased that Arman Hamidi, an apprentice from our own company, made it to the finals."
For Saint-Gobain Abrasives, the focus is primarily on the further development of skilled workers:
"Promoting young talent means passing on knowledge and specifically supporting young grinding talents in developing their skills," adds Ronald Hörmann, Product Manager Resin Bond at Saint-Gobain Abrasives.
To be continued
After the successful competition at GrindingHub 2026, the focus is already on the future: The GRINDER OF THE YEAR is also set to take place again in 2028. KSKOMM plans to continue providing a platform for young talents to prove their skills and gain valuable experience with the youth competition.
Max Bergner, at 18 the youngest participant and a second-year apprentice, encourages everyone to participate in the competition. "The experience was something very special. Working under the conditions here at the fair and seeing how others approach the task was really exciting. I thought with my relatively little experience I wouldn't be able to keep up with the others, but I was mistaken. The support we received from the application technicians at WALTER was great. I can only recommend everyone to participate in the GOTY!"
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