Advanced Machine & Engineering taps resources across the globe to bring products, services to North America

MM: What made AME decide to reach out to the European market?

Willy Goellner: AME was the pioneer of carbide saws when it developed the first cold saw using carbide-tipped circular blades to cut alloy steel billets for Metalcut Inc. in Rockford, Illinois. Wagner Reutlingen, Germany, followed a few years later and became competitive in carbide sawing after Metalcut was sold and the new owner lost the market lead. After Wagner went out of business in 1996, we looked for a European partner to concentrate on the global market because we can offer 50 years of carbide sawing expertise.

MM: How did AME determine that Remac/Wagner-Ersatzteilver-sorgung/Wagner Bandsaws was the right partner to distribute AME brands of tools?

Goellner: Both Remac and Wagner Spare Parts worked at the Gustav Wagner plant for many years before it closed. The latter is also the authorized seller of spare parts and rebuilds of Wagner saws. Wagner Spare Parts associates keep track of when an old Wagner machine is worn beyond repair and needs to be replaced and will ask us to quote new machines. Servicing hundreds of Wagner saws still in operation, Wagner Spare Parts is a prime fit for AME.

MM: What AME products and services will Remac/Wagner-Ersatzveilver-sorgung represent in Europe?

Goellner: Goellner Inc., our parent company, already has plants in Germany, the Czech Republic and France, and is currently planning a joint venture in China. Together with Remac, we plan to sell our saws and related products globally. We can develop and manufacture in Germany as well as in the United States and plan to also include China, allowing our customers the choice to buy where they please.

MM: How does the new partnership affect customers in North America?

Goellner: U.S. customers will save money and receive the best service for German-built saws.

MM: What parts are made in Germany and what is done differently that makes the “Made in Germany” label a selling point?

Goellner: Both partners offer engineering and manufacturing. We plan on developing new products and use parts or sub-assemblies manufactured in either plant. Each partner designs and builds high-quality, precision products using German-backed partnerships and co-operations with other German and Swiss companies.

MM: What are some of the benefits AME expects to realize from its latest partnership, in terms of sales growth, new customers, etc.? 

Goellner: Fifty years of carbide saw experience from AME and 45 years of experience of Remac’s associates at the old Gustav Wagner Plant are reflective of our ability to develop state-of-the-art equipment and expand our global presence.

MM: AME has long represented toolmakers from other parts of the world in North America. How has that part of the business evolved in the past few years?

Goellner: AME’s strength always was and will continue to be finding global advanced technological products and distributing them in the American market. 

MM: What are some of the developments AME has planned for its global operations going forward? 

Goellner: With AME’s established presence in Europe, the next logical step is to build a solid global presence in high-tech innovated products. This past year we concentrated on our latest product, the Stotz Air Gages, which fit perfectly with our other product lines. Recently, AME worked with Remac to develop a large band saw that will cut larger material sizes beyond the reach of carbide circular saws. Without our Remac partnership, we most likely would not have penetrated the band saw market. MM

Willy Goellner is the founder and chairman at AME/AMSAW