An interview with Sandvik Coromant’s cluster manager for South East Asia and Oceania

As new technologies, sustainability priorities, and global uncertainties continue to reshape manufacturing, metal cutting and manufacturing solutions expert Sandvik Coromant presented a bold vision for the future at Australian Manufacturing Week (AMW) 2025, held from May 6–9. From digital integration to collaborative ecosystems, the company showcased its commitment to helping manufacturers thrive in an increasingly connected and sustainable world.

During the event, Manny Valenza, Sales Cluster Manager for South East Asia and Oceania, offered insights into Sandvik Coromant’s participation, the company’s broader strategic direction, and how its signature approach — "Manufacturing Wellness" — is setting a new standard for operational excellence.

A Regional Leader with a Global Perspective

Valenza oversees sales operations and strategic initiatives across eight countries — Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines — organised into five regional clusters. He works closely with local sales teams, distributors, and machine tool agents to deliver advanced tooling solutions and long-term value to customers.

A Different Kind of Booth Experience

At AMW 2025, Sandvik Coromant broke away from traditional booth formats. Rather than focusing on tool displays, the company created interactive advisory booths, encouraging meaningful conversations with attendees seeking to optimise machine investments and overcome manufacturing challenges.

A key highlight was the live demonstration of the CoroPlus® Tool Supply inventory software, integrated with the Robocrib TX750 vending machine, showcasing real-world applications of smart inventory management.

Key Takeaways for Attendees

Visitors left the Sandvik Coromant booth with a clear message: the company is more than a tooling supplier — it is a strategic partner in digital manufacturing.

Attendees gained insights into Sandvik Coromant’s spindle-ready turnkey packages, which include CNC programming, toolpath verification, and project management solutions designed to reduce lead times and enhance efficiency. By showcasing collaborative efforts with Vericut and Mastercam, the company emphasised the value of an integrated digital ecosystem that empowers manufacturers to make better decisions and maximise asset performance.

The Iconic Yellow Coat: A Symbol of Expertise

The yellow coat — a recognisable symbol in the industry — represents Sandvik Coromant’s deep commitment to metal cutting knowledge and productivity. Originating from the company’s early days, when engineers wore yellow dust-coats during on-site trials, the symbol continues to reflect technical excellence and customer focus.

Today, Sandvik Coromant Centers worldwide serve as hubs where these "yellow coat" experts lead technical sessions, live demos, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to support customer innovation.

Promoting Manufacturing Wellness

At AMW, Sandvik Coromant also introduced visitors to its “Manufacturing Wellness” philosophy — a holistic framework that encourages manufacturers to build more resilient, sustainable, and efficient operations.

Based on decades of global experience, Manufacturing Wellness is founded on eight success habits: taking a holistic view, embracing new technology, prioritising sustainability, eliminating waste, using data strategically, partnering with industry leaders, developing talent, and driving automation.

By aligning its products, services, and advisory offerings around these habits, Sandvik Coromant helps manufacturers perform operational “health checks” and embed long-term, value-driven practices.

Powered by Partnerships

True to its collaborative DNA, Sandvik Coromant shared its AMW booth with software partners Vericut and Mastercam, highlighting how toolpath simulation, CAM software, and advanced cutting tool technologies can work together to improve productivity and reduce waste.

The company also partnered with several leading machine tool makers and resellers to showcase its newest tooling innovations — including CoroDrill® DE10, CoroCut® 2, and CoroDrill® Dura 462 — directly on machines across the show floor. These live tool demonstrations gave visitors a firsthand look at cutting-edge technologies in action.