May Member Spotlight: Gabriel Venzin, Vice President, Feintool Equipment Corporation

Gabriel Venzin

Vice President

Founded in Switzerland in 1959, Feintool is the leading fineblanking technology company in the world with a longstanding presence in Cincinnati with close to 400 employees as well as an apprenticeship program. In layman’s terms, fineblanking is the process of creating a finished part with smooth edges in one press stroke and Feintool has the unique distinction of being the sole global supplier of the fineblanking technology from presses to parts. Gabriel Venzin, Vice President, is responsible for the U.S. operation of the equipment division.

“Feintool has one of the few apprenticeship programs in the Greater Cincinnati area, a program that has been instrumental in securing the company’s success in the area,” said Mr. Venzin. “This program guarantees that we have professionally trained staff members with dedication and a willingness to learn,” continued Venzin.

In 1988, after experiencing resource challenges in terms of finding and staffing trained toolmakers, the Feintool office in Cincinnati established an apprenticeship model based on the program at their headquarters in Switzerland. Developed by a retired apprenticeship manager from Switzerland, the program focuses on developing the skills of apprentices through both field experience and a technical education. Similar to the Swiss model, in Cincinnati, each apprentice is required to attend classes at a technical college and work in his chosen field. This opportunity focuses on tool making or auxiliary processes such as specialized machining. Typically, apprentices are offered a full-time position with Feintool after successful graduation from the program.

Mr. Venzin will be a featured speaker at the EACC Skilled Labor Workforce Conference on May 16, 2012. He will provide more information about Feintool’s formal corporate apprenticeship program in Cincinnati, which is the only location in the U.S. where this program is offered.

As a member of the EACC, Feintool Equipment Corporation has had a very positive experience through the valuable networking opportunities that connect Feintool leaders with other European executives. “The EACC does a great job maintaining different programs that focus on Cincinnati’s connection with Europe,” said Mr. Venzin. “I have the chance to meet other executives at the conferences who understand the challenges that accompany being European owned. Feintool is always looking for ways to improve the industry and it is invaluable to collaborate with those who have the same goals.”

Feintool Background

- Feintool is headquartered in Lyss, Switzerland

- Opened the first U.S. location in New York in 1971

- In 1978, the Cincinnati office was formed

- The apprenticeship program was created in 1988 for the Cincinnati location

- Today, Feintool has two U.S. locations in Cincinnati and Nashville, Tennessee