DMG MORI USA will conclude its relationship with Maruka, a distributor of DMG MORI machines in six states. The separation is effective Jan. 1, 2014. While the two companies will sustain an international relationship, each will pursue other opportunities within the United States.

DMG MORI USA customers affiliated with Maruka will now have direct access to DMG MORI USA for service, sales, parts, and customer service support. DMG MORI is currently adding staff and opening local facilities in Tampa, FL; Parsippany, N.J. Wichita, Kan.; Kansas City, Mo., and Tulsa, Ok.

“We accept full responsibility for all service and support needs, so you need only one number: 855.DMG.MORI (855.364.6674),” says DMG MORI USA President, Mark Mohr. “This number will connect you with our call center, parts ordering group and engineering support line. We hope this direct line of communication and streamlined procedure will improve turnaround time on all requests. “

Current customers have already been contacted about transferring their account information to DMG MORI USA. Any questions or concerns can be directed to DMG MORI USA at 855.364.6674.

DMG MORI is a leading global provider of machine tools, turning centers and lathes for customers in every industry. Through leading innovation, support and technology, DMG MORI helps customers create the most competitive manufacturing environments possible. DMG MORI USA is headquartered in Chicago, Ill., with offices in Boston, Mass.; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Detroit, Mich.; and Los Angeles, Calif.; San Francisco, Calif.; and Seattle, Wash. DMG MORI has its first U.S. factory in Davis, Calif., producing selected machines for the U.S. market. Davis is also home to DMG MORI U.S. Research and Development hub, Digital Technology Laboratory. 

Source: DMG MORI USA

Emuge Corp. officials have announced the appointment of Bob Hellinger as president of U.S. and Canadian operations. Hellinger succeeds Peter Matysiak, who has retired after a 25 year career with the company. 
   
“I am excited to join Emuge, a company with a well respected brand and a reputation for high quality and performance cutting tools and accessories,” said Hellinger. “Emuge has a long track record with a commitment to the research and development of leading cutting edge tools. I am looking forward to continuing the legacy of quality and customer support that Peter Matysiak established in his tenure, and to further expand sales and market penetration throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

Hellinger began his manufacturing career in the cutting tool industry 25 years ago as a regional sales manager for Cleveland Twist Drill. In 1994 he joined Guhring Inc., a full line cutting tool manufacturer, as a regional sales manager and was promoted in 2004 to national sales manager with responsibility for sales, marketing, customer service, and distribution. Hellinger’s tenure with Guhring spanned 19 years to 2013. He has also served two years on the Industrial Supply Association (ISA) membership committee.

Source: Emuge

Robin Farmanfarmaian did not have an easy childhood. Misdiagnosed as a teenager with an autoimmune condition, she entered into what might best be described as medical nightmare: 41 hospitalizations and 6 major surgeries.

Click here to read the article by Steven Kitler on Forbes.com.

Xlumena has obtained the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to market its medical device, the Axios stent and delivery system, through the FDA's less-stringent de novo review pathway.

The stent is reportedly the first specifically designed device for the drainage of a pancreatic pseudocyst by creating a new, temporary opening between the pancreas and the gastrointestinal tract.

The Axios stent is a wire mesh tube with a silicone covering is tightly compressed and is enclosed within a catheter (a long, hollow, flexible tube), the Axios delivery system.

With the Axios stent, the catheter is placed into the stomach through an endoscope that is passed through the patient's mouth and down into an area of the stomach adjacent to the pseudocyst.

Unlike plastic stents that are currently on the market, the stent may be less prone to becoming blocked by solid material inside of the pseudocyst because of its wider diameter.

The Axios stent can expand to more than 1/2" diameter, allowing physicians to pass endoscopic tools into the pseudocyst to clean or remove the contents of both the stent and the pseudocyst.

It is fully covered to prevent leakage across the stent and tissue ingrowth and facilitates easy removal.

The Axios stent comes pre-loaded in a specially-designed delivery system and is easily deployed by a single operator.

According to the FDA, the approval was based on a 33-patient study of subjects with pancreatic pseudocysts of at least 6cm in diameter.

Trial data showed that the stent was successfully placed 90.0% of the time, with 97% of those staying in place for the duration of treatment (up to 60 days).

Around 93% of the stents remained open to allow for drainage of the pseudocyst for the duration of treatment, and 86% of the treated pseudocysts decreased in size by at least 50%.

All stents were removed without injury to the surrounding tissue. Adverse events observed included abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health Office of Device Evaluation director Christy Foreman said: "The Axios Stent provides a new option for physicians to effectively treat pseudocysts with a less invasive intervention than surgical removal of the pseudocyst."

Source: Xlumena