Frankfurt am Main – October 31, 2026 -- Fabio Schoppet, a 28-year-old apprentice at K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH, won the two-day live "Grinder of the Year" (GOTY) competition at GrindingHub in Stuttgart on May 6-7. He beat Max Bergner (2nd), Laurin Mink (3rd) and Arman Hamidi (4th). Finalists received education vouchers worth between 3,000 and 500 euros.
Organizer KSKomm runs the contest to promote young talent and counter the skilled-labor shortage in grinding technology. Managing Director Barbara Hannappel said the live format lets trade-fair visitors watch a drawing become a precision tool step by step.
Walter Maschinenbau trains all four finalists for two days in Tübingen
Main sponsor Walter Maschinenbau hosted the intensive training to give all finalists equal starting conditions, according to CEO Dr. Christoph Müller-Mederer. Day one covered Helitronic Tool Studio software, which creates a drawing and 3D model for each tool. The data can be called up on the machine's CNC control, where operators get a full 3D simulation of the machine and grinding process, including all axis movements. Grinding sequences and grinding wheel changes can be verified in advance.
Day two focused on the machine used in Hall 9 at GrindingHub, the Helitronic Mini Plus with C.O.R.E. technology. It was developed for flexible production and re-checking of small and medium tool diameters. The C.O.R.E. operating system, supplied by Walter's parent United Grinding Group, includes a umati interface for data exchange. This allows the machines to be networked and integrated into digital factories.
VDW backs workforce pipeline with foundation created in 2009
The Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken (VDW), organizer of GrindingHub, says only highly qualified skilled workers can keep German companies competitive internationally. It set up the Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau in 2009 to promote knowledge transfer between industry, schools and universities and to raise the number of trainees and students in mechanical engineering.
Finalists plan further qualifications with their vouchers
The vouchers can fund seminars, conferences, training courses or a later master craftsman course. Schoppet plans to use his 3,000-euro voucher for a technician or master school after finishing his apprenticeship as a precision tool mechanic. He joined the competition after learning about it at vocational school.
Hamidi, an apprentice at GDS Präzisionszerspanungs GmbH in Ofterdingen, is interested in automation and robotics. Bergner (18) and Mink (21) both train at Kopp Schleiftechnik in Winterkasten.