Last week, May 25th, Lance Guymon shared the history of our local high-tech robotic cutting and welding operation (formerly Wolf Robotics) which is now a branch of the largest robotic welding company in the world, Lincoln Electric. Bill West guided the presentation as he asked our speaker questions about this local success story and its contributions to NOCO. This talk was an installment of RCFC’s “Cornerstone Stories” highlighting significant contributors to our local economy and well-being
First, Lance described what the company does. The current focus is on welding “large stuff” and its customers include Caterpillar, John Deere, the private segment of the “space race” and the US Navy. There are currently 150 local employees, as well as CSU engineering student interns – the latter a key to its success as well as an important source of future employees. This association with CSU has been critical - providing a young “brain trust” and pivotal in keeping the operation in Fort Collins.
Next, the history - what is now a branch of Lincoln Electric began as Heath Engineering in the 1940s, initially cutting and welding steel for farm equipment in our then small farming community. The evolving processes were tweaked to the point that the engineers realized they had a new product to sell - the machines that were doing the cutting and welding. Meanwhile, in Europe a Swedish inventor obtained the patent for “stick” welding leading to the Swedish welding and electrical company ESAB. In 1976 Heath Engineering was sold to ESAB. Since that time there has been an ongoing “profitable” relationship and exchange between Sweden and Fort Collins. In 1993 the giant Swedish multinational electrical and robotic company, ABB became the owner. Our speaker was a cofounder in 2003 of what became a local breakaway, Wolf Robotics. Lincoln Electric bought the company in 2013.
Today, this branch of Lincoln Electric focuses on customers like John Deere and CAT providing local expertise leveraged with CSU and international expertise through their continuing relationships in Sweden to provide product development from design to assembly. Currently they are hiring while having trouble filling all their positions in this growing industry (Lincoln Electric expects to soon be a billion-dollar company).
This a great example of a Fort Collins company that innovated and evolved taking NOCO from its agricultural roots to what is now a technology and educational center. Finally, Lance recognized RCFC for its long history of supporting student exchange which was recognized as key ingredient in this company’s success.