The Abrasives Hub

22 November 2010

With the aim of supporting the evolution of the diamond tools industry with new technologies and solutions, the European Diamond University concept is being rolled out country by country. Launches have already taken place for Belgian and Dutch markets. The initiative is sponsored by four companies in the diamond tooling space; Carbodiam, Eiche, Ultradiam and Samedia. However, it is hoped that eventually other companies in the diamond tooling industry will also support the European Diamond University to build an independent resource for the industry.

There have been other attempts at building a knowledge resource for the diamond tooling industry, most notably in the Diamond at Work initiative that was launched by Element Six, which ran two successful international conferences before funding for this was cut in 2008. Since then, the industry, certainly in Europe, has been lacking a focused resource of this nature. Having taken the bold step to set up the European Diamond University, the current sponsors are open to attracting additional sponsors and company members that represent the entire industry from supply to end user.

Nicolas Vermeulen, General Manager of Carbodiam, in his introduction to the European Diamond University shared the vision for the new venture, “to create synergy and sharing information between the key players and support the evolution of European sawing, drilling and grinding companies.” This will be achieved by technological advance, increasing the competitiveness and profitability of companies working in the industry. “We believe we can inspire new business,” adds Nicolas Vermeulen.

The hope is to attract a broad range of individuals and companies across Europe, working in the diamond tooling industry. This not only includes professionals in grinding, sawing and drilling, but also agents, distributors, resellers, end users, specialist contractors, as well as universities and other equipment and diamond tool manufacturers. Inevitably as the sponsoring companies have a focus on supplying solutions to the stone and construction industries, there will be a considerable emphasis on these industrial sectors.

The ambitious mission for the European Diamond University is to consolidate the expertise and knowledge related to sawing, drilling and grinding as well as to educate and support the whole supply chain within the industry. By bringing together experts and end users, the aim is to set industry standards and provide references for the industry. In 2011, the European abrasives body, FEPA, introduced new standards that come into effect. As European manufacturers, Carbodiam and its partners have to be ahead of these standards.

Trends in the Diamond Tools World

Claude Besson, sales and marketing director for Carbodiam, pointed out that in the current competitive environment, customers have a complex range of value drivers for their businesses. In developing new products for the professional tooling market, companies need to take into account these drivers while delivering products that offer high productivity, excellent performance and durability.

Stimulating innovation

Also, the hope is to speed up product development and innovate to create new market opportunities. Often people working in diamond tooling are highly specialised and don’t know anything about related activities, explains Nicolas Vermeulen. By bringing together a wider community, “customers could end up with new business with minimal investment,” he adds.

The European Diamond University will have a focus on practical issues. As well as running a series of practical training courses for members on relevant industrial topics, the university intends to build an applications network to In addition, members will have access to research and development laboratories at sponsor companies, testing facilities for new tooling solutions and problem solving.

About the European Diamond University Sponsors

Carbodiam Diamond Tools, headquartered in Belgium, manufactures drilling, sawing and grinding tools to contractors in construction, road industries and building material factories. It has a distribution network in more than 50 countries. Ultradia while being the exclusive distributor of Carbodiam products in Belgium and Luxembourg with a range of diamond tools and machines also offers extensive technical and advice services. Eiche is a German tooling manufacturer focused on professionally applications of diamond tools in building and civil engineering, while Samedia is a key player in the retail market and works with a range of distributors throughout Europe.

More information about the European Diamond Initiative is available on the new website
www.eurodiamonduniv.com
and they can be contacted on
contact@eurodiamonduniv.com