Tool Technology with System: Precise. Automated.
Interview with Achim Schurius, Chief Sales Officer of Walter Maschinenbau GmbH
Sharpening tools, networking processes, rethinking precision – what was once pure mechanics is today high-tech with a system. Walter Maschinenbau GmbH from Tübingen is considered a specialist in tool grinding machines, EDM and laser technology, as well as optical CNC metrology, and is one of the innovation leaders in the industry. In conversation with Achim Schurius, Chief Sales Officer, we learn how the company has developed from a machine builder to a system and solution provider – and why the goal is no longer just precision, but also process intelligence.
Walter Maschinenbau, based in Tübingen, is one of the leading manufacturers of machines for tool grinding, erosion, laser processing, and measuring. As a 100% subsidiary of the UNITED GRINDING Group, the company delivers technologically sophisticated solutions to various customer requirements worldwide. Chief Sales Officer Achim Schurius has been with the company since 1999, and has been responsible for sales since January 2023. "What we do, we do for the customer – not for ourselves," emphasizes Achim Schurius. Since its founding in 1919, Walter Maschinenbau has significantly shaped the market - from the first grinding machine in 1953 to the HELITRONIC POWER with gantry design (1994) and the introduction of CNC-controlled measuring technology (1997) to the integration of grinding and erosion in one machine (2001). Other milestones: the HELITRONIC MICRO (2006) and the VISION LASER (2024). Development takes place in Tübingen, and production in the Czech town of Kuřim near Brno – a machine engineering center that has been expanded several times. WALTER employs about 600 staff worldwide. Sales are direct in Germany and international via own representations (for example, UK, Italy) and qualified dealers – such as in Turkey or Scandinavia. Revenue is evenly distributed between Europe, Asia, and North America. Customers range from small re-sharpening services to medium-sized tool manufacturers and global conglomerates. Together with EWAG, WALTER is a system and solution provider for tool processing within the UNITED GRINDING Group.
Drivers of Innovation
Around 80% of the portfolio consists of grinding machines, complemented by EDM, laser, and CNC metrology. Models such as HELITRONIC G 200, HELITRONIC MINI PLUS, HELITRONIC POWER 400, or HELITRONIC VISION 400 L are modularly configurable with respect to automation. Robot loaders, grinding wheel changers with up to twelve positions, and the HELICHECK series enable highly automated processes. Particularly in micro-tools, WALTER is the market leader in CNC metrology.
Focus is on complete digitalization. The C.O.R.E.-Panel with Soft Keys allows intuitive operation; standardized interfaces and AI features such as voice input and maintenance alerts are in development. Remote access, energy monitoring, and production monitoring are possible via UNITED GRINDING Digital Solutions™. Calibration, compensation, and process control are automated – well beyond just loading. With ATP – Automated Tool Production – WALTER aims for nearly unmanned manufacturing. Software-controlled processes and autonomous transport systems (AMR) enable highly precise, fully automated operations – a central vision for the future. Sustainability is also firmly embedded: LED technology, photovoltaics, intelligent building management, and meters at all consumption points ensure transparency and energy efficiency. Together with the VDW, WALTER is working on industry-specific standards. Success factors include technological diversity, individual services, digital training, and a strong maintenance concept. The company creates visibility through social media, YouTube, mailings, and the Open House in Tübingen. Internationally, WALTER is present at leading trade fairs like Grinding Hub, EMO, LIGNA, IMTS, CIMT, and JIMTOF. With technological depth, global structure, and a clear digital strategy, Walter Maschinenbau remains a leading provider for tool machining.