Star Cutter, Star SU new hires

Star Cutter Co. has announced the hiring of Robert (Bob) Tennant as its round tool engineering manager overseeing three product lines, each produced at a dedicated facility. He will support the facilities and teams manufacturing gundrills (Ossineke, Mich.); solid carbide drills and reamers (Farmington Hills); and PCD tooling and services (Farmington Hills). His responsibilities include supervising the engineering teams, communicating with management and production on project plans, and evaluating the feasibility of new projects in conjunction with the application support teams.

Tennant comes to Star with a strong background in manufacturing engineering, product design, part processing and application support. Most recently, he was a process engineering manager for SECO Tools (Troy, Mich.), supporting new business opportunities across the Americas. Experience as a tooling designer/engineer at Transnav and Ferris State University studies in Manufacturing Tooling Technologies and CAD Drafting Tool Design provides him with in-depth knowledge of computer aided design, CNC programming and manufacturing processes with a strong background in multiple design software platforms.

“Bob’s proven applications experience, problem solving skills in custom engineering solutions, and time as a machinist brings both a depth and breadth of knowledge to company,” says Mike Billiel, Star Cutter VP of operations. “We’re looking forward to some exciting advancement and growth in our round tool product offerings.” 

Star SU, the marketing, sales, and service affiliate of Star Cutter Co., has announced the hiring of James Doughty in the position of product sales manager responsible for national medical sales. Specifically, Doughty will be responsible for expanding the use of the company’s NXT 5-axis tool grinder, the only tool grinder to come pre-packaged with ESPRIT CAM software and machine-specific post processors and extremely well-suited to manufacturers of hip rasps, rotary files, bone files, drills, and other complex tooling. 

Doughty’s career has been successfully focused on manufacturing solutions for, or contract manufacturing of orthopedic tools such as bone drills, reamers, screws, rasps, taps, and extractors, as well as implants. 

He started his foray into the medical field more than 20 years ago, when he initially worked for Star Cutter as a regional sales manager and was involved in developing the company’s CNC grinder for hip broaches and other medical instruments at that time. Since then, he has been a sales manager for Kyocera SGS Medical, American Tool Service, Ortho Grind Medical, and Eva-lution. Throughout his tenures, he has a proven track record for growing sales and developing relationships with leading medical companies across the nation.