2026 has begun, and transformation across all industries is accelerating. Sustainability, digitalization, and talent development are now firmly at the top of the manufacturing agenda, redefining the way companies operate and compete. Against this backdrop, Helen Blomqvist, President of Sandvik Coromant, reflects on more than 80 years of market leadership in the cutting tools industry and the forces that will shape the years to come.
We build the future on the foundations of our heritage
Sandvik Coromant's position as a global leader in cutting tools and manufacturing solutions is rooted in its history, but it is also firmly oriented towards the future. At a time when transformation is at the top of the global agenda, we actively support customers around the world, helping them navigate change and seize new opportunities.
Leadership in a changing world requires clarity of direction without losing sight of our roots. Even with a strong brand and a proud history, we cannot rest on our laurels; we must strive to grow and be effective today, while simultaneously transforming our capabilities to remain the undisputed market leader tomorrow.
A key part of this approach is creating a culture of learning. Psychological safety and curiosity are essential, and it's crucial to create an environment where people feel safe to experiment with new ideas. High-performing and empowered teams, with a strong customer-focused mindset, are at the heart of how we translate strategy into action. Eliminating the fear of failure, combined with curiosity and a strong customer focus, is essential to moving forward.
A sector in full transformation
The manufacturing sector is experiencing a rapid technological leap. But it's important to recognize that this represents an opportunity, rather than a threat. The sector is undergoing significant change, with customers at different stages of the journey. Sustainability, digitalization, severe cost pressures along the entire value chain, and the skills gap are the trends characterizing this shift.
This is particularly evident in sectors like aerospace, where growth is driven by the demand for lightweight structures, next-generation engines, and greater fuel efficiency. These requirements are accelerating the adoption of advanced materials like titanium and heat-resistant superalloys, pushing manufacturers to invest in more sophisticated processing technologies.
Market forecasts, such as those detailed in the Deloitte 2026 Aerospace and Defense Industry Outlook, point to a new era of growth, with global aircraft production accelerating thanks to recovering passenger demand, intensified fleet modernization, and the beginning of OEMs' clearing of long-standing backlogs. At the same time, defense and space programs continue to expand, creating sustained demand for high-performance materials and precision components. Together, these forces are driving one of the strongest production cycles the aerospace industry has seen in over a decade.
AI as a strategic driver for people and production
Artificial intelligence is moving beyond experimentation to become an essential tool. Across industries, leaders are integrating AI into operations, supply chains, purchasing, and quality control.
Sandvik Coromant has recognized this for several years and has a dedicated AI team focused on getting the most out of the technology. The organization isn't alone in this: data from Xometry's Manufacturing Outlook 2026 reveals that 82% of executives consider AI a key growth driver, with nearly half already reporting significant ROI.
Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the hype stage to become a fundamental tool for manufacturing, and its adoption is expanding in critical areas such as supply chain, purchasing, and quality control. Looking to the future, we can expect AI systems to be fully integrated into smart factory operations. Machines will learn and adapt in real time, intelligently optimizing production parameters, reducing waste, and proactively scheduling maintenance.
Looking ahead, the manufacturers that will succeed in 2026 will be those that treat AI not as a standalone technology, but as a strategic capability woven into culture, processes, and leadership, leveraging data and automation to unlock new levels of efficiency, resilience, and customer value. Used responsibly and transparently, AI will be a critical driver of productivity, sustainability, and long-term competitiveness across the entire manufacturing ecosystem.
Sustainability translated into action
It's difficult to look at the future of manufacturing, both short and long-term, without considering its impact on our planet. "We can choose to lead or be led to ruin," said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the opening of the COP30 climate conference held in Belem, Brazil, in November. "Choose speed, scale, and solidarity. Choose to make this moment a turning point. Stand up for science. Stand up for justice and future generations," he urged.
His words reflect a truth the industry can no longer ignore: sustainability is not optional, but a determining force in the way manufacturers operate. What matters now is the ability to translate ambition into concrete, scalable initiatives that deliver real environmental and commercial value, especially at a time when the prices of critical raw materials like tungsten and other metals are rising sharply, putting further pressure on manufacturers' cost structures.
At Sandvik Coromant, this shift is already underway. One example is our buyback program, which allows customers to sell used carbide tools back to us for recycling and circular production. In a market where raw material prices are rising significantly, circular solutions like this help both customers and suppliers reduce exposure to volatile input costs while strengthening long-term resource security.
Supported by a digital portal, the program simplifies logistics, pricing, and CO2 reporting, while reducing the need for virgin raw materials. It transforms circularity from a concept to a practical, everyday process in the workshop. We are also developing similar digitalized processes for our remanufacturing offering, enabling customers to maximize their inventory and leverage easy-to-use self-service platforms, improving efficiency, extending tool life, and supporting margin resilience in an increasingly cost-constrained environment.
Another important initiative is the Sustainability Analyzer, which we launched in 2025. Through this tool, our team can clearly demonstrate the CO2 reductions customers can achieve by using more efficient processing solutions, making sustainability measurable and actionable in investment and production decisions.
Looking ahead to 2026, sustainability will be increasingly data-driven and integrated into core manufacturing workflows. Customers will expect transparent carbon metrics along with performance and costs, and suppliers will be judged on their ability to support decarbonization across the entire value chain. Digital tools will play a central role in enabling this shift, transforming environmental impact into a shared and quantifiable responsibility.
Looking to the future
Customers are already starting to expect more than just the products they buy. They're looking for solutions that create value through strategic partnerships, digital innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
Sandvik Coromant is strongly positioned for the future, combining today's performance with tomorrow's transformation, serving as both a natural partner in industrial matters and an employer of choice. Contributing to learning, innovation, and building strong teams is the hallmark of success.
Sandvik Coromant
Together with customers and partners, Sandvik Coromant paves the way to a sustainable future and provides tooling solutions to mechanical engineering industries worldwide. Over eighty years of practical experience have allowed us to build a wealth of knowledge in metal cutting and machining. This expertise transforms every challenge into an opportunity for innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge solutions. Our goal is to pursue positive change by promoting sustainability, efficiency, and growth to shape a future where innovation is at the forefront. Part of the global industrial engineering group Sandvik, Sandvik Coromant is committed to building the future, together with its customers.
Integrated intelligent automation: bonfiglioli presents its mechatronic ecosystem at sps italia
At SPS Italia, the leading event for smart, digital, and sustainable industries, Bonfiglioli presented its mechatronics ecosystem , integrating gearmotors, inverters, condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and advanced automation software tools. Highlights included the Axia drive family , solutions for shuttles, AGVs, and AMRs , the Bonfiglioli Automation Manager suite, and mechatronic systems for conveyors, palletizers, flow pack systems, compact warehouse lifts, and material handling applications. The Axia family: intelligent drives for even smarter automation The new Axia drive family , comprising AxiaVert and AxiaAgile , was officially presented at SPS Italia. The former is designed for complex, high-performance systems and features a modular architecture, numerous functional safety options, and advanced motion control capabilities. The latter represents a compact, cost-effective alternative for general-purpose applications. Developed on a variant concept, AxiaAgile is designed to meet diverse application needs thanks to dedicated configurations that simplify product selection and reduce design time. At SPS Italia, AxiaVert and AxiaAgile were presented in demo form, paired with three different gearmotors. Particular attention was paid to AxiaVert's integrated functional safety variants : Basic, Standard, and Motion Safety, which provide the flexibility needed to adapt to different application scenarios. This advantage allows for the optimization of safety architectures, reduced footprint, and elimination of the need for external safety components, while ensuring safe and controlled operation of various motions. Bonfiglioli offers all the key safety functions required by the market, including STO, SS1, SBC, SLS, SLP, and SOS. AxiaVert's safety functions enable increased uptime with continuous monitoring, in compliance with industry standards. Furthermore, AxiaVert supports FsoE communication integration, which significantly reduces labor and wiring costs by routing all safety communications between the inverter and the PLC via fieldbus. High-precision motion solutions for mobile robotics For mobile robotics applications, Bonfiglioli presented two customized versions of the BlueRoll platform , the solution developed specifically for shuttles, AGVs, and AMRs. BlueRoll is available in three configurations—Basic, Advanced, and Compact—and thanks to its modular structure and full customization options, it reduces complexity while ensuring accurate positioning, maximum power density, and energy efficiency. Each configuration is designed to perfectly adapt to the specific needs of the application and is available with a single component (servo motor or precision planetary gearmotor) or with an integrated gearmotor. At SPS Italia, BlueRoll presented a low-voltage precision planetary servomotor , compatible with 24- or 48-volt battery-powered electronic drives, making it the ideal solution for simplified installation and retrofitting. Advanced mechatronic systems for intelligent intralogistics At SPS Italia, Bonfiglioli dedicated a specific area to the logistics and intralogistics sector, presenting a series of mechatronic systems. For palletizers, flow pack processes, and compact warehouse lifts, the most suitable product is the BMD series synchronous servomotor . Presented here in three different solutions, it was combined with three different gear units—the TQ series precision planetary gear unit, the A series right-angle gearmotor, and the F series modular shaft-mounted gearmotor—and the AxiaVert inverter. For intralogistics processes, specifically conveyor belts, the solution presented at SPS combines the EVOX CP helical gear unit with a modular, reliable, and energy-efficient MXN motor and the AxiaVert drive. Finally, for smart conveyors, an A series right-angle gearmotor combined with a BSR synchronous reluctance motor and a sensor-equipped DGM decentralized inverter was present at the fair. Selcom: advanced electronic and mechatronic solutions for industrial applications Part of the Bonfiglioli Group, Selcom showcased its customized electronic solutions and a wide range of high-performance mechatronics and integrated systems, demonstrating its commitment to high standards and custom design. Among the featured products were PLCs, sensors, TFT displays with touch functionality, DC-DC converters for battery-powered applications, inverters, and an induction welding power source—all examples of Selcom's versatility and customer-focused approach. The spotlight was on the new industrial PC with seven GBIT Ethernet ports, capable of managing up to six different networks, as well as a dedicated commissioning port. With four USB ports and a display port, the system ensures excellent connectivity and flexibility, demonstrating Selcom's commitment to innovation and advanced integration. An integrated IIoT platform for condition monitoring and predictive maintenance Bonfiglioli addresses the key challenges facing industrial machinery, such as downtime and high maintenance costs, by providing an IIoT platform that includes Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance . The IoT platform uses dedicated sensors to monitor motors and gearboxes, collecting important data on performance and energy consumption. The sensors combine accelerometer, magnetometer, and temperature sensing functions, and transmit external data via wireless technology. Combined with an MXN asynchronous electric motor and a helical gearbox from the EVOX CP platform, these components guarantee high efficiency and flexibility. A complete IT ecosystem for efficient automation One of the key players at SPS was Bonfiglioli's Automation Manager , a software suite that integrates all digital tools into a single ecosystem, ensuring full integration across the product portfolio and throughout all phases of the machine's life cycle. Automation Manager comprises two macro-areas: Electronic Management Tools and Software Tools . The Electronic Management suite supports commissioning, monitoring, and diagnostics. It includes AxiaManager , dedicated to the configuration and management of Axia inverters, allowing users to simplify parameterization, monitor performance, and perform diagnostics during operation. Electronic Management also includes IoT Manager , which oversees the management of the company's IoT architecture and allows for the configuration of connected devices, firmware updates, monitoring field data, and managing system parameters. Completing the offering, the Software Tools are designed to support customers in selecting and optimizing Bonfiglioli components . These tools include the Smart Sizer, which helps companies identify the most suitable components for specific applications, starting from basic parameters such as load, speed, and operating cycle, and the e-shop that simplifies the customer's product configuration journey. Smart Sizer also incorporates the Efficiency Tool , which compares the energy performance of different motor-drive combinations, quantifying consumption, losses, and efficiency. Thanks to the Automation Manager, all Bonfiglioli products and software communicate with each other within a unified ecosystem, ensuring a simplified and optimized user experience, from initial sizing to ongoing monitoring. The Bonfiglioli Group Bonfiglioli designs, manufactures, and distributes a wide range of gearmotors, electric motors, planetary gearboxes, and inverters, capable of meeting the most demanding needs in the industrial automation, mobile machinery, and renewable energy sectors. The Group offers comprehensive solutions serving more industries and applications than any other gearmotor manufacturer and is a market leader in numerous sectors. Its three business areas—Industry & Automation Solutions, Mobility & Wind Industries, and Selcom Group—deliver the full breadth of experience and expertise acquired over the years in their respective fields. Founded in 1956, Bonfiglioli operates in 80 countries with 23 sales sites, 17 production facilities, an extensive distribution network of over 550 partners, and over 5,000 professionals worldwide. Excellence, innovation, and sustainability are the drivers behind Bonfiglioli's growth as a company and as a team, guaranteeing the quality of the products and services offered to its customers.
Industriale.it certification