A tool manufacturing facility of Dixi-Polytool Switzerland has existed since 1968 in Birkenfeld, on the doorstep of the Black Forest, near Pforzheim. Wolfgang Würtz, once a sales representative for Dixi-Polytool, is responsible as Managing Director for production and sales in Germany for the diamond and PCD tools with a total of 38 employees.

Mr. Würtz, how did you come to be Managing Director of Dixi Polytool here in Germany?

Wolfgang Würtz: For a long time, I was a production foreman at a medium-sized company whose focus was on springs and stamped parts. 16 years ago, I was offered a field service position in the Black Forest region, which I gladly accepted due to the proximity to my home. I then often came to Birkenfeld to optimize production processes and to make workflows more efficient. Later, a new sales representative was needed for my area and I was offered the position of technical manager here in Birkenfeld. When the managing director at the time suddenly passed away, I was asked if I would like to take over the management of the branch. At first I was a little unsure whether I was up to the responsibility, but my doubts were cleared up, especially by my Swiss supervisor.

To what extent do you cooperate with Dixi Polytool in Switzerland?

We maintain a very good and close exchange with our Swiss colleagues and, for example, always coordinate production topics with each other. Customers who show interest receive factory tours or training courses if required, here on site or also at headquarters. Here in Birkenfeld, we mainly manufacture standard and special tools for the area of PCD and diamond tools, but also special carbide tools. In addition we also
we also distribute catalog products plus special tools from Switzerland. In short: Outstanding tool solutions for the most diverse applications.

With special tools, "made in Birkenfeld", does this set you apart from many tool manufacturers?

Absolutely, we manufacture the smallest quantities here. Where else can you find that? We are also very flexible, absolutely reliable, work precisely and very quickly. We analyze the customer's needs and respond to our customer 100%. Not to forget: Many of our employees have been working for us for many years or even decades. We can therefore look back on an incredible wealth of experience. Our employees "know" diamond tools and, above all, they are real grinding experts. Customers appreciate that. Investing in machines is one thing, but having competent, knowledgeable and experienced employees at the machines is another.

There are many industries you serve at Dixi, ranging from watchmaking and jewelry to medical technology and automotive. What are the main areas of focus at Dixi-Polytool?

Well, due to the different divisions we can serve, it is possible for us to use our own resources in the company in an optimal way. Due to the company's history, our core business is still very much in the jewelry and watchmaking industry, but our expertise is also very much in demand in the field of high-gloss processing, for example for mechanical mirrors, or for chrome-plated parts in the sanitary sector. We are also very strong in the plastics industry, for example, when it comes to the production of transparent plastic parts. We see a further field of application for our PCD tools in the machining of lead-free brass, a market that is becoming increasingly important. Due to the fact that we are broadly positioned, we have always been able to withstand many a downturn in individual areas very robustly and confidently. We also have the advantage of being able to offer the complete range of solutions as a supplier of solid metal tools, PCD and diamond tools. Our customer gets the tools from us from a single source, no matter what the application is.

You presented a new product at the last AMB. What is it and what are the benefits for your customer?

In the carbide sector, our Swiss research and development department was able to launch the innovative high-performance milling cutter Dixi 7453 COOL+, which features a special coolant guide. The coolant is guided directly down the cutting edges. The accelerated and targeted cooling can drastically reduce heat generation due to the cutting of materials with low thermal conductivity, for example stainless steel, titanium or nickel alloys,
can be drastically reduced. The tool life is extended enormously and the resulting cutting parameters speak for themselves. Especially in series production, the time savings are immense. And in the diamond sector, we score with a new series of Dixi 82.000 bright milling heads, which we have been able to develop further. Here, for the first time, we are moving into the smaller diameters, for example diameter 30, but also 18. These milling heads are ideally suited for small machines, e.g. for small portal milling machines. These tools are ideal for this. We presented them for the first time at the AMB in September.

What tasks will Dixi be facing in the coming years?

At Dixi, we started lean manufacturing several years ago in order to continuously optimize processes, to face strong competition and to be steadfast even when the economic environment turns gloomy. In addition to the complete reorganization of manufacturing processes, the human factor plays a fundamental role for us. Although we have already taken many steps in the right direction to increase efficiency or to optimize existing processes and structures, we have now reached a point where we also need an external, critical view in order to question familiar processes or to change entrenched routines or to leave behind well-worn routines.

What can Dixi Polytool Birkenfeld learn from its Swiss colleagues?

You have already been able to complete the process of lean manufacturing. Many processes, activities that are necessary to create value, have been overhauled, optimally coordinated and superfluous activities have been avoided. We can only benefit from this completed development process
and transfer one or two things to our processes.

And the other way around? What can Dixi-Polytool Switzerland learn from Birkenfeld?

We are certainly a good partner and team player for our colleagues in the diamond tool sector. Ideas and new tools enrich the cooperation
and motivation mutually. We adapt production strategies and workflows to each other and exchange ideas. This cooperation in a spirit of partnership ultimately
also benefits our customers.

AMB is the most important trade show for Dixi Polytool in Birkenfeld. Are there any other exhibitions where you present your tools?

For us in Germany, AMB is actually the most important industry trade show, where we meet almost all customers. In addition, we also exhibit at the Turning and Clamping days in Schwennigen, which are not uninteresting for us. Our Swiss colleagues can of course be found at many Swiss as well as internationaltrade fairs.

What course are you charting for the coming years?

In order to increase efficiency, it will probably have to move increasingly in the direction of standard tools. However, I would like to emphasize that there will probably not be any standardized tools, especially in the watch and jewelry industry. As before, custom manufacturing will play an important role for us here. Of course, we also have diamond inserts for industrial machining, where we see great opportunities for expansion. Basically, I am optimistic about the future as far as the company's success at Dixi is concerned.