Notable features of the SBS system include its ability to fit almost all grinding machines, ease of
installation, compact and modular construction, ability to balance a wheel while on a machine, virtual elimination of wheel vibration, automatic monitoring of balancing, display in a variety of languages and units of measurement, instrument grade
calibration, short balance process, measurement of both displacement and/or velocity and minimal operator maintenance. The
SB-5500
also offers the capability of fully integrating its operation and output
within any grinding machines CNC operating system by the use of its IVIS (Intelligent Visualization) software.
Customers and Markets
Precision grinding is necessary in major manufacturing areas including the automotive, industrial, aerospace and medical industries where
specifications and operating tolerances on machined parts are increasingly precise.
Within the Companys customer base for the SBS system, there are
three major market segments:
Machine Tool Builders
Tool builder companies design and manufacture a
variety of specialty application grinding machines. SBS systems are distributed to markets throughout the world through machine tool original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), who incorporate the SBS system into their products. SBS products are
designed into world-class machine builder systems.
Examples of some
well-known
worldwide machine
tool builders who have offered and/or installed the SBS System include Fritz Studer AG (Switzerland), Shanghai Machine Tool Works (China), ANCA (Australia), Capco Machinery (U.S.), Drake Manufacturing (U.S.), Ecotech/SMTW (China/U.S.), Matrix
Machine Tool (UK), Schleifring Group (Germany, China), Shaanxi Qinchuan Machinery Development Co. (China), Fives Landis Grinding (U.S.), Koyo Machinery (U.S./Japan), Micron Machinery Limited (Japan/U.S.), Hardinge (U.S.), and Weldon Solutions
(U.S.).
Machine Tool Rebuilders
Tool rebuilders develop their business by completely updating and
refurbishing older grinding machines. These rebuilders typically tear the old machine apart and install new components, often including the SBS system. The Company currently sells its products directly to major machine tool rebuilders throughout the
world.
Grinding Machine Users
These end users become aware of the SBS system through trade shows, trade
magazine advertising, distributors, field representatives, referrals and new machine suppliers. The Companys business is conducted worldwide with some better known customers including: Black & Decker, Briggs and Stratton, Schaeffler,
Caterpillar, Eaton, Regal Beloit, Cummins Engine, Ford Motor Company, General Electric, General Motors, Ingersoll Rand, Komatsu, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, SKF Bearing Industries, Timken, TRW Automotive Components and Universal Bearing.
Schmitt works closely with our OEM customers to continually improve our systems. These relationships allow us to better serve our customers as we are better
positioned to provide innovative solutions that assist them to be industry leaders in efficiency and effectiveness for their machines.
For the years
ended May 31, 2019, May 31, 2018 and May 31, 2017 (Fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2016), net revenues of the Companys Balancer segment products totaled $9,080,719, $9,026,830 and $7,082,474, respectively. Net revenues of Balancer segment
products accounted for 66%, 65% and 57% of the Companys total revenues in Fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competition
The Companys primary
competitors in the Balancer segment are Marposs S.p.A., Balance Systems S.r.l. and MPM Micro Prazision Marx GmbH.
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