NUMBER 02 - Haas Automation, Inc.

In a huge and unprecedented effort to alleviate the problem,
Haas Automation Inc., California, USA, announces the formal
launch of the Haas Technical Education Centre (HTEC) program
for Europe.
Already a resounding success in the USA and Canada, the
Haas Automation Europe HTEC program aims to create long-term
alliances with European vocational training, technical colleges,
universities and other manufacturing technology learning
institutions. The goal: to make the latest manufacturing technology
accessible to a very wide range of educational establishments,
and to provide students with hands-on experience in a real-world
manufacturing environment.
The HTEC concept was first established by Haas Automation,
Inc. in the USA in 1996, and was originally a school-based
program – a place where teachers and students could experience
the latest machine tool technology.
Today, the program has evolved beyond the company’s
wildest expectations. In the USA and Canada, there are already
more than 600 HTECs, including almost 100 high schools, 100+
vocational schools, almost 300 community colleges and close to
200 universities, with well over 1600 machines installed. Over the
next few years, Haas Automation Europe will implement plans to
mirror the program’s popularity in Germany, as well as in France,
Italy, Spain and every other European country.
“Our initial goal is to have 100 fully Haas-certified HTECs
in Europe within 5 years,” Peter Hall, Haas Europe’s managing
director, explains. “That is, 20 new HTECs per year, however,
judging by the response we are already experiencing, this is
probably a very conservative number, and I anticipate raising this
number to at least 200 in the near future.”
Haas CNC machine tools are distributed and supported
in Europe via 45 Haas Factory Outlets (HFOs). Assuming an
average of 4 HTECs for each HFO, the company will quickly
approach Mr. Hall’s target of 200 HTECs.
Closely tied to the company’s distribution network, each HTEC
is the result of a unique alliance between Haas Automation Europe,
a local Haas Factory Outlet (HFO) and a local learning institution.
All HTECs are Haas-certified, and require a commitment between
the school management and the local HFO.
“This is a wonderful and inspiring challenge,” enthuses Mr.
Hall. “HTECs are dedicated to the future of the manufacturing
industry, and they continue the Haas pledge to deliver high-quality
education to the technicians and engineers of tomorrow.
“We’ve already made some groundbreaking agreements with
notable institutions, including the prestigious Universität Wien,
the Gewerbe Akademie in Konstanz, Germany, more than 20
universities and schools in Russia, Poland, Italy, Greece, Belgium,
Scandinavia, Portugal and Estonia. Plus, there are more than 150
Haas Mini Mills and other Haas CNC machine tools installed in
Lycee across France.”
CNC MACHINING |