TG Manufacturing acquires laser cutter Craft Steel
Grand Rapids, MI - TG Manufacturing (TGM), a diverse, US-based group of manufacturing companies and a division of Tiger Industrial Systems, has acquired Spring Lake-based Craft Steel, whose process expertise is in the areas of metal stamping, metal fabrication, laser cutting, and robotic welding. This company supplies a varied base of industrial sectors including agricultural, automotive, furniture, medical, and construction.
Craft Steel’s laser cutting and CNC brake press capabilities add a critical component to TGM’s full system metal processing. The company operates two Bystronic laser cutters: a 3.0 kW, 3-axis laser with a 60 x 120 bed with two auto-loading tables and a 2.8 kW, 3-axis laser with a 60 x 120 bed with two auto-loading tables.
“Craft Steel will assist us in evolving into one of the most vertically integrated, diverse process- capable, full system metal suppliers in the manufacturing space. This acquisition represents an important opportunity for us to expand in the US market and we believe we are well-positioned to grow our market share in several new industrial spaces,” said TGM president Rich Achtenberg.
Using TG Manufacturing’s global network, advanced manufacturing technology, and quality systems and integrating them with Craft Steel’s process knowledge and delivery skills will result in a stronger organization, the company says.
David Belforte | Contributing Editor
David Belforte (1932-2023) was an internationally recognized authority on industrial laser materials processing and had been actively involved in this technology for more than 50 years. His consulting business, Belforte Associates, served clients interested in advanced manufacturing applications. David held degrees in Chemistry and Production Technology from Northeastern University (Boston, MA). As a researcher, he conducted basic studies in material synthesis for high-temperature applications and held increasingly important positions with companies involved with high-technology materials processing. He co-founded a company that introduced several firsts in advanced welding technology and equipment. David's career in lasers started with the commercialization of the first industrial solid-state laser and a compact CO2 laser for sheet-metal cutting. For several years, he led the development of very high power CO2 lasers for welding and surface treating applications. In addition to consulting, David was the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Laser Solutions magazine (1986-2022) and contributed to other laser publications, including Laser Focus World. He retired from Laser Focus World in late June 2022.