Dear SABC Members & Friends,
The Swiss-American Business Council presents its summer 2017 newsletter for its members and friends. SABC members can submit contributions for future newsletters to: events@sabcnow.com
In this issue we feature contributions from The Swiss Center of North America, BIG KAISER Precision Tooling Inc., Heule Tool Corporation, Rollomatic Inc., Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc., SIGA Cover Inc., GF Machining Solutions, AFEX, Barnes & Thornburg LLP, UBS, Rödl & Partner, LNS America, Inc., American Lamprecht Transport Inc., Hotels of Switzerland, Wandfluh of America Inc. and EROWA Technology
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Platinum Members
Gold Member
Silver Members
 
 
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Welcome New SABC Individual Member
 We welcome our new individual member Patrick Seitz. He is a native of Switzerland, studied Mechanical Engineering at the Federal Institute of Technology ETH in Zurich where he obtained his Masters degree. His enthusiasm for automobiles resulted in an internship at Audi and the compilation of his thesis at Automobili Lamborghini. After his studies, he joined the Reishauer Group, for which he relocated to the US in 2008. Patrick worked his way up to take over the role as President & CEO of Felsomat USA Inc., a member company of the Group. |
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The Open House at Zurich Insurance’s new North American Headquarters
Our member enjoyed the impressive event at Zurich Insurance. Zurich presented their laudable apprenticeship program. For more pictures of the event, please visit the SABC's photo gallery.
  
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 Come Celebrate at the Swiss National Day Reception
Thursday, July 27, 2017, 6:00 – 8:30 pm,
Mid-America Club 200 E. Randolph St. 80th Floor.
We are glad to announce that His Excellency Mr. Martin Dahinden,
the Ambassador of Switzerland to the United States of America, is scheduled to attend and will be the featured speaker at the event.
SABC Members and sponsoring partners plus guest: Free of charge
Non-members: $20
Dress code: Business casual
Come join the Swiss-American business and civic community in Chicago to celebrate the Swiss National Day at a reception and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres with a spectacular view.
There will also be some traditional Swiss entertainment from Mr. Tony Zgraggen and his Alphorn team from Wisconsin.
To RSVP please contact events@sabcnow.com. Due to building security, RSVP in advance is mandatory by July 20th. Please be sure to bring a valid photo ID. Any inquiries can be directed to 312.508.3340 and sutha.heck@sabcnow.com. |
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 Swiss Club ChicagoSwiss National Day Celebration 2017
July 29th - 4pm - 9pm
American Legion Memorial Civic Center Outdoors – On the Lawn, 6140 W. Dempster, Morton Grove, IL
Our friends from Swiss Club Chicago will offer Swiss Specialties: Brat- and Knackwurst, various salads, breads and a variety of famous Regional Swiss cakes for dessert. For more information and RSVP here. |
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The Swiss Center of North America has begun documenting the yet-untold story of the Swiss who settled in Puerto Rico in the 1940's and 50's. They created a new standard of hospitality and restaurant excellence on the island, which is a U.S. territory.
Working with Puerto Rico's Honorary Consul Barbara Hostettler, Swiss Center president, Beth Zurbuchen interviewed nearly a dozen of these Swiss pioneers and their children. Their stories were amazing.
The eldest Swiss is Tina Guetg. At 97 years young she is the oldest member of the Swiss community and the only one who speaks Rhaeto-Romansh. The interviews are being processed along with documentation. Finding Aids will be found in the Library of Congress.
This work in Puerto Rico is part of the Swiss Center work to make sure Swiss heritage and culture doesn't disappear in North America.
Our Donald G. Tritt Library and Archives has grown to more than 12,000 books, magazines and other printed materials. You'll find historic records from organizations and individuals including a nearly complete North American Swiss Singing Alliance Saengerfest collection beginning in 1897.
We welcome guests from around the world and work to promote appreciation for and awareness of Swiss heritage, culture and pride.
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 Local Students Build Winning Car; Earn Indycar Experien
A group of Rolling Meadows high school students enjoyed a front-row seat at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway during practice for the 101st Indianapolis 500. The 10 students and three instructors were hosted by BIG KAISER, a technical sponsor for Andretti Autosport in the Verizon Indycar Series.
The students earned the VIP trip to Indianapolis after winning their own race in the Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition on May 8 in Joliet. For this competition, high school students put STEM lessons into practice by designing, building and driving an energy-efficient vehicle. Instead of racing for speed, they are competing for maximum distance on a single gallon of fuel. The winning team’s single-passenger vehicle achieved an astonishing 605 mpg, which earned the competition a featured spot on Chicago’s WGN-TV news.
The excursion to Indianapolis started with a visit to the Andretti Autosport race shop, followed by a guided tour at the IMS Museum, and then lunch in a private suite at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. BIG KAISER Vice President, Jack Burley, accompanied the group. “I think it was a great success and I enjoyed the experience as much as the kids,” he said.
BIG KAISER, based in Hoffman Estates, is a worldwide leader in high-precision tooling systems and solutions for the metalcutting industry. The company is also a strong supporter of manufacturing education and workforce development, and sponsored the inaugural Illinois Energy Efficient Vehicle Competition. More information bigkaiser.com
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Heule Werkzeug AG Visits New Location of Heule Tool Corporation
 In June Heule Tool Corporation in Loveland, OH was visited by representatives from Heule Werkzeug AG in Switzerland. Ulf Heule, Rita Heule, and Christoph Keel toured HTC’s new facility and met with the employees to offer support, direction, and inspiration to grow Heule’s business in North America. HTC manages all sales of Heule products and services to the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Both Ulf Heule and his father before him, Heinrich Heule, who started Heule Werkzeug AG in 1961, have been the guiding forces and foundation of HTC since it was founded in 1988 in Michigan. North American President Gary Brown, who started working for Heule Tool Corporation in 1989, has been strongly connected with the Switzerland offices and the Heule family since he began with the company. The longstanding ties among the leadership and the fact that Heule remains a family business make the Heule corporate culture close-knit and supportive. The Heules and Keel spent the week at HTC offering support and talking with newer employees about the history and structure of the company, further strengthening ties between Heule Werkzeug AG in Switzerland and HTC in North America.
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Rollomatic Group Turns to Energy Efficiency in Industry
The Rollomatic Group, a manufacturer of precision CNC grinding machines, highlights new corporate efforts for sustainable industrial production. With solar panels installed in both the Swiss headquarters & the US Rollomatic facility in Mundelein, IL, about 48% of Rollomatic's total energy consumption (~1.40 GWh) was produced in the past year using solar power. Construction measures as well as new product innovations have also featured environmental-friendly results.
 In Switzerland, Rollomatic SA has been part of a new federal energy consumption reduction plan through the Energy Agency of the Swiss Private Sector (EnAW) since 2013. The private-sector led initiative has led 3700 companies to save upwards of 1570 gigawatt hours in electricity needs with a total savings of 330 million Swiss francs. With 4300 m2 of solar panels, Rollomatic in Switzerland has saved 358.5 tons of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of the average consumption of 170 Swiss households.
In the US, the industrial sector has been a heavy energy consumer, where the industry accounts for nearly 1/3 of national energy usage. Rollomatic Inc. has also installed solar panels with a total capacity of 198 kW & numbering 660 panels all manufactured in the U.S. By the end of this year, expected yearly production will be 240 megawatt per hour.
New product innovations from Rollomatic can help end-users to be more energy efficiency with features such as streamlined sleep & auto-shutdown modes that can run even for short setups, lights off production, & advances in component energy consumptions.
For more information on turn-key precision grinding centers from the Rollomatic Group, contact Rollomatic Inc. at www.RollomaticUSA.com or email us at sollutions@RollomaticUSA.com. Also follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter.
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 Innovative Automotive Technology Day
Plastic materials have gained heightened importance in the manufacturing of vehicles. The requirements for plastic components with respect to visual appearance, geometry, function and material properties have become increasingly demanding. Ultrasonic welding could be the answer to the industry’s challenging applications!
Join Herrmann Ultrasonics as they host an in-depth and informative AUTOMOTIVE Technology Day on October 12, 2017 at their North American headquarters in Bartlett, IL. Nine top-quality workshops will drive ultrasonic welding technology to the forefront of your AUTOMOTIVE needs. Sign-up for such topics as:
Fascia punching and bracket welding. Knock it out of the park.
Collaborative ultrasonic welding. Get your robot to play nice with ultrasonics.
Attach membranes to housings. Smarter and faster.
Effective solutions on how to embed dissimilar materials using ultrasonics
Herrmann Ultrasonics has become the technology leader in ultrasonic welding by developing the most advanced products, providing ULTRASONICS ENGINEERING expertise and total solution offerings. They are focused on providing ultrasonic welding technology for various markets such as the automotive, medical, consumer, electronics, food and also the hygiene industry.
Whether you have worked with ultrasonic joining technology before or not – they will offer tailored workshops and dispense detailed expert knowledge on every aspect of ultrasonic welding. Every attendee to the AUTOMOTIVE Technology Day on October 12, 2017, will be automatically entered for the chance to win a new a CompactPRO thermal camera for your iPhone or Android phone; allowing you to have IR Technology at your fingertips.
For more event and registration details please email marketing@herrmannultrasonics.com.
For more information, please go to: www.herrmannultrasonics.com
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 SIGA develops and manufactures high-performance, nontoxic adhesives, tapes and membranes
for creating airtight building envelopes. We strive for a world of zero energy loss buildings.
 Swiss technology protects American buildings.
On June 17th SIGA Cover Inc. introduced its disrupting vapor control layer called Majrex to the North American building industry. This ingenious product has become in less than a year Europe’s most innovative vapor control system.To develop Majrex, SIGA studied a real survival master, the cactus.
Its secret: “Moisture transport in one direction only.” The cactus absorbs vapor through its skin at night letting moisture inside, but during the day, it keeps that moisture inside its walls without losing any of it to the exterior.
After several years of research and development, SIGA was able to decode the secret of the cactus, patented this technology and named it Hygrobrid®. Thanks to Hygrobrid® technology moisture from inside the room does not pass into the wall cavity, and the moisture we have in the wall cavity can easily pass out through the membrane. There’s nothing else like it...except the cactus of course.
With a team of 15 employees SIGA Cover Inc. serves its customers since 2011 across North America. Interested in protecting your building with this amazing new technology? Visit www.sigacover.com today!
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GF Machining Solutions Introduces New CUT P Line of Wire EDMs
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill., June 30, 2017 – GF Machining Solutions’ new AgieCharmilles CUT P Series of wire electrical discharge machines (EDMs) provides users precise positioning and contouring capabilities for superb part quality and productivity. The CUT P 350/550/800/1250 machine models feature highly efficient power generators, robust designs and intuitive human-machine interfaces (HMIs) as well as several automation options for lights-out operation. GF Machining Solutions unveiled the CUT P 350, 550 and 800 to the North American market during its Solutions Days event, June 6 – 7 at the company’s U.S. Headquarters.
With Intelligent Power Generator (IPG) technology, CUT P Series machines deliver surface finishes as smooth as Ra 0.08 µm and boost cutting speeds by up to 20 percent. Several EXPERT systems further optimize the IPG’s cutting performance, especially for challenging applications.
Fixed tables on CUT P Series machines provide rigidity plus stability, and integrated temperature regulation systems consistently maintain temperatures within ±0.2 degrees Celsius.
The machines are ready for the Internet of Things/Industry 4.0 with eConnectivity features that connect them to larger shop management systems. Other new automation solutions reduce processing time by up to 20 percent in lights-out production environments.
The CUT P Series 350 and 550 easily integrate with robots such as the System 3R WorkPartner 1+ or into two-machine automation cells.
With over 600 dedicated, pre-programmed cutting processes, the CUT P Series optimizes production for electronics, automotive, medical and mold and die manufacturers.
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 AFEX has been a trusted global payment and risk management partner to businesses trading internationally since 1979. Offering a comprehensive range of global payment and foreign exchange services through designated relationship managers, AFEX can handle every aspect of a client’s foreign payment needs, from risk consultation to transaction execution.
The company currently has over 35,000 active clients worldwide, with services to fit their specific needs from multiple locations across the US, Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, including an office in Zurich.
 The Americas’ General Manager for AFEX, Christian Spaltenstein, himself a Swiss national, explains why managing payments and currency exposure should be high on the list of priorities for SABC members:
“Swiss exports reached record-highs in 2016, with some 61% of the country’s $494 billion GDP credited to exports alone. Continued growth is expected through 2017 and 2018, and with the United States being one of Switzerland’s top trading partners, we are seeing our clients import more products such as metals, plastics, machinery and pharmaceuticals. We’re able to help our importer clients fix their prices and reduce the currency risk inherent to importing from overseas – and they see the value right on their bottom lines.”
To learn more about our tailored international payment solutions, which enhance business opportunities between Swiss and American companies, please call our Swiss – American Foreign Exchange Consultant Agnes Rentsch in our Chicago office on: +1 312 920 6806 or visit www.afex.com.
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Barnes & Thornburg Launches BT ValueWorks
Barnes & Thornburg LLP, one of the 100 largest U.S. law firms, recently launched its industry-leading BT ValueWorks program, a suite of pricing, process and technology solutions designed to bring greater efficiency and fee predictability to the delivery of legal services. The American Lawyer, the leading daily news source covering the legal business in the U.S., featured Barnes & Thornburg’s BT ValueWorks program in a recent article.
Barnes & Thornburg’s Global Services Group counsels Swiss and other European entities engaged in business in the United States in corporate, immigration, regulatory, intellectual property and other legal matters. Our clients gain access to more than 600 legal professionals throughout 13 offices across the country. We are among the 100 largest U.S. firms and have experience in virtually all the legal practice areas required to do business in the U.S.
 SABC board member Will Turner has more than 20 years advising domestic and international companies in a wide range of industries on U.S. commercial and transactional matters. If you have questions about BT ValueWorks, please contact Will Turner.
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Retirement planning as a couple
Provided by:
Allen Carter, Executive Director – Wealth Management
UBS Financial Services
Planning together is beneficial, when both spouses are involved with retirement decisions they're happier and more optimistic about their future. Putting in the extra effort now will pay off later.
Getting Started:
1. Decide what's important
The first step is coming to an agreement about your goals in retirement. Ask yourselves, what do you want your wealth to accomplish, what do you dream about doing one day, what's happening now that can impact your financial future?
2. Long-term care planning
Discuss developing a long-term care plan for both of you. For example, how long do you plan on staying in your home? How heavily will you rely on family to provide your care?
3. Keep both of you in the know about:
Your net worth
Assets, insurance, property and financial accounts
Where everything is held
How to access your money after retirement
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 As an integrated professional services firm, Rödl & Partner is active at 108 wholly owned locations in 50 countries. Rödl & Partner USA has specifically tailored our accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting services to the unique needs of your foreign owned business in the United States of America. For the past 40 years our core practice has been serving the accounting and tax needs of primarily German speaking and other foreign owned “Mittelstand” companies operating in the U.S. As the preferred accounting, auditing, tax and business consulting professional services firm of German speaking entities, you will benefit from the extensive experience of our U.S. certified public accountants as well as our bilingual staff of professionals, many whom also carry international certifications (StB, WP, CA). Whether you are just starting up in the U.S. market or you have an established presence here, our services are designed to efficiently assist you in dealing with the often complex matters facing today’s foreign owned business operating in the U.S. Our approach is simple, it is designed with your needs and expectations in mind, with a single point of contact and a professional team formed around your professional services and language expectations.
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HOW TO OPTIMIZE TURNING MACHINE PERFORMANCE
Achieving peak performance from your turning machines requires accessories that fit your needs perfectly. That’s why LNS provides the industry’s broadest and most advanced assortment of bar feeders, chip conveyors and more, all supported by experienced applications specialists and expert technical support. But that’s only the beginning:
We design, build, and stand behind every bar feeder, chip conveyor, steady rest system, and mist collector we sell – we know every model inside and out, we stock replacement parts, and local support is just a phone call away.
LNS offers 17 different bar feeders for fixed or sliding headstock machines that accommodate bar diameters from 1 mm to 120 mm, many with automatic or no-tool-required quick changeovers.
LNS Turbo chip conveyors handle all chip and material types – models include magnetic, factory-integrated 3D and self-cleaning models that filter out 500, 250 or even 50 micron particles.
All models of LNS Fox mist collectors exceed OSHA and NIOSH requirements, eliminating oil/coolant mist, smoke and other fine aerosols and particulates.
Steady-rest based workholding systems are custom designed and built to address each specific turning application.
Buying a new turning machine? Tell your dealer you want the complete package of accessory products and support only available from LNS.
To learn more call 513-528-5674, email sales@LNSamerica.com, or visit www.LNS-america.com.
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 American Lamprecht Transport Inc. moves your goods to any place – worldwide
American Lamprecht Transport Inc. was incorporated in 1969 under New York state law as a subsidiary of Lamprecht Transport Ltd., founded in 1945 by A. Lamprecht. Since then, the Swiss company is family owned. Many years of hard work and the tireless commitment of our employees have brought one success after another.
The specialists at our strategically located branches in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Duncan S.C. know what matters in today’s shipping business. That is why we believe in a partnership based on mutual respect among all parties – the cornerstone of a lasting and successful business relationship.
More information can be found at http://www.american-lamprecht.com
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"For over 35 years Hotels of Switzerland (HOS) has been the extended North American arm for over ten of the leading Swiss 5 star deluxe properties. We exclusively cater to the MICE market and therefore are the one stop shop for all their Switzerland needs. We help to create tailor made successful and unforgettable Switzerland experiences".
Hotels of Switzerland
1214 W. Elmdale
Chicago, IL 60660
Fax: 773/262-9323
Laura 773.330.8282
Marius 312.919.1500
Werner 312.720.1500
www.hotelsofswitzerland.com
laura@hotelsofswitzerland.com
http://www.facebook.com/HotelsOfSwitzerland
OUR LUXURY HOTELS: Victoria-Jungfrau GH & Spa Interlaken, Palace Lucerne, Chedi Andermatt, Bellevue Palace Berne, GH Park Gstaad, Kulm Hotel St. Moritz, Badrutt's Palace St. Moritz, Lausanne Palace, Beau-Rivage Palace Lausanne, Atlantis by Giardino Zurich, Giardino Ascona. OUR 5-STAR PARTNERS: SWISS International Air Line, Swiss Travel Solutions, Nightboat Lucerne.
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 Please help welcome the new employees to our Wandfluh family and organization, and lending your support and best wishes for their success!!
 Louie Cobb: Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Louie has a strong background and history in the hydraulics industry in various commercial capacities of applications, product and sales management, and OEM account management and development. Louie holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Management from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and is a Certified Fluid Power Hydraulic Specialist.
Contact Information:
803.629.1256 Mobile
847.566.5700 Office
louie@wandfluh-us.com
 Nick Schultz: Gulf States Regional Sales Manager
Nick has a strong fluid power background and twenty (20) years in the hydraulics industry in various capacities of design and applications, service management, sales and sales management. Nick holds a degree in Fluid Power Technology from Minnesota West Community and Technical College in Granite Falls, Minnesota and a Certified Fluid Power Specialist.
Contact Information:
281.889.9618 Mobile
847.566.5700 Office
Nick@wandfluh-us.com
 Carlin Federle: Sales and Marketing Associate
Carlin has a strong background in customer service account management support and marketing services. Carlin attended the College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL.
Contact Information:
847-643-9028 Direct
847.566.5700 Office
carlin@wandfluh-us.com
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EROWA Technology, based in Arlington Heights, IL., is a full service supplier of palletization and automation systems for the North American manufacturing market. Our goal is to provide complete turnkey solutions for precision parts handling through most any group of manufacturing processes (from one type of machine to the next). We are capable of providing a simple manual palletization system or a fully integrated, custom designed workholding and automation system to meet the current needs and expectations of our customers.
In the market segments of precision mechanics, tool- and mold-making, as well as chip-cutting production, we offer concepts and products that provide customers with considerable optimization possibilities throughout the whole range of machining processes. Primarily, we achieve this through comprehensive knowledge of the application of our products, through individual and customized consultation, and through the use of our Flexible Manufacturing Concept (FMC), which cover the following four areas:
- Standardization (tooling system, tooling technology)
- Organization (setting-up, presetting and measuring technologies)
- Automation (loading/unloading technologies)
- Integration (process sequence, process control and planning technologies)
EROWA Technology, Inc.
2535 S. Clearbrook Dr.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
www.erowa.com
info.usa@erowa.com
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SABC Upcoming Events
July 27 – Swiss National Day Reception
SABC Past Events
June 6 – Open House at Zurich Insurance’s new North American
Headquarters
June 6 & 7 – Solutions Days 2017 from GF Machining Solutions
March 16 – SABC Annual Meeting 2017
March 10 – Are You Ready For An ICE Storm?
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