STUDER Looks Back on a Solid 2024 Financial Year

“Thanks to the strong diversification of our portfolio, we can look back on a solid 2024 financial year, with growth across several markets and industries,” said Jens Bleher, CEO of STUDER since 2018. On April 1, 2025, he will assume the role of COO of the UNITED GRINDING Group. Bleher is handing over the CEO position to long-standing CSO Sandro Bottazzo. “The challenging economic and geopolitical environment demanded particularly intensive efforts,” Bleher emphasized. “In addition to maintaining high quality, STUDER focused on increasing productivity, strict cost management, and introducing innovative technologies. We remain a reliable partner to our customers and are well positioned to meet global competition.”

Sandro Bottazzo, who has served as CEO and Chairman of the Management Board since March 1, 2025, added: “STUDER maintained its global market share and even expanded it in certain countries and regions. Step by step, we are strengthening our leading position in the universal cylindrical grinding machine market.”

Customer acquisition developed positively, with an increase of around 43% year-over-year. Key growth segments included the Asian automotive and supplier industries, tool and die manufacturing, and the machine tool sector. STUDER also expanded its presence in the aerospace industry and further consolidated its position, as in the previous year. As anticipated, order intake was only slightly below last year's figures.

The manufacturer of premium cylindrical grinding machines saw strong incoming orders, particularly in North America. Asia—still the largest sales region—along with Latin America, Northern, and Eastern Europe also delivered solid results. In contrast, Central Europe, especially Germany, did not meet expectations. The Customer Care division achieved another record in turnover for 2024. The expansion of international, multilingual service capabilities with customer-facing and decentralized service specialists proved highly successful. Sales in spare parts, maintenance, machine overhauls, and conversions reached record highs, while the service business remained at a very high capacity level.

A key pillar of STUDER's continued success is its broad product portfolio. The CNC universal cylindrical grinding machines led the way, with the S33 being the top-seller, followed by the S31 and favoritCNC. Sales of the premium S41 model were also strong. Internal cylindrical grinding machines formed the second-strongest segment. However, sales of production and conventional machines were below expectations.

“Innovation and the development of advanced, reliable grinding technologies remained our focus in 2024,” said CTO Daniel Huber. One of the main projects was the new generation of the popular favoritCNC. It now includes the latest FANUC controls and a new “Conventional Mode,” allowing users to operate it like a traditional grinding machine—greatly easing the transition to CNC. Additional new features include automation options and more powerful grinding spindles.

Another highlight was the development of the new universal W-axis for the S33 and S31. Integrated into the Z-slide, it enables fully automated grinding of various workpiece lengths. The tailstock with fixed center, the tailstock spindle with driven center, and assemblies such as measuring heads offer clear technological advantages. Notably, the direct force measurement system provides a truly force-controlled clamping process, ensuring maximum precision, repeatability, and gentle handling of fragile parts.

STUDER's SmartJet coolant system continued to gain traction across industries. In 2024, its range of applications expanded with thread grinding optimizations and plug-in nozzles for various grinding wheel profiles. The WireDress system—used for dressing metal-bonded CBN and diamond wheels—was further enhanced to support internal grinding wheels as well. “This means external and internal wheels can now be dressed in the same setup,” Huber explained.

Huber also confirmed the full conversion of all CNC platforms to C.O.R.E., the UNITED GRINDING Group’s unified software and hardware architecture. This platform continues to shape the future of grinding machine operation and digital functionality.

COO Stephan Stoll provided insights into operations. Despite a tense market, STUDER maintained high utilization across manufacturing and assembly through its machine business, intercompany activities within the Group, and prototype development. Several key optimization projects were completed, including the strategic expansion of spindle expertise. A highly automated spindle shaft production line was commissioned, while assembly processes were centralized and enhanced with state-of-the-art inspection systems. With top-tier specialists and advanced diagnostic tools, STUDER solidified its position as a Group-wide center of excellence for spindle technology. The company also overhauled its electrical pre-assembly, now able to deliver everything from individual cable sets to complex, fully wired control cabinets—order-specific and just-in-time. Major planning for a full redesign and automation of internal logistics was finalized in 2024. Implementation is underway, with commissioning scheduled for December 2025.

In 2024, STUDER made strides in sustainability and operational efficiency. LED lighting was largely rolled out, and older supply systems were replaced with modern, energy-efficient equipment. The new logistics facility is expected to significantly reduce energy consumption. STUDER is also advancing multiple digitalization initiatives to further increase efficiency across all operations, according to Stoll.

Jens Bleher concluded: “Highly trained and motivated employees are key to STUDER’s long-term success as a technology leader. We are deeply committed to vocational training—over 11% of our workforce are apprentices.”