News and Resources

Carrie Fisher 1/14/26 Carrie Fisher 1/14/26

How Dressing Interval Affects Profile Retention, Scrap, and Cost per Part

Learn how dressing interval affects grinding wheel performance, profile retention, scrap rates, and cost per part in precision grinding operations.

Most grinding issues do not appear suddenly. Instead, the condition of the grinding wheel gradually breaks down during the production run until parts fall out of spec. Regular dressing and truing help keep wheel wear in check.

At Continental Diamond Tool (CDT), we approach the dressing interval as an important variable that directly influences performance. From our facility in Wales, we design and manufacture high-precision reverse-plated rotary diamond dressers tailored to specific grinding applications. CDT sales and application engineers are available to provide operating guidance on dressing frequency to balance tool life, part quality, and process stability.

What Happens During Grinding and Dressing

Grinding

As grinding wheels wear, several mechanisms work against consistent grinding performance:

Dulling of abrasive grains, which reduces cutting efficiency
Material loading, which interferes with chip formation
Glazing, which increases heat generation

Left unchecked, these effects reduce cutting performance and contribute to loss of profile accuracy and dimensional control.

Dressing and Truing

The process of dressing and truing restores wheel geometry, exposes fresh cutting edges, and establishes the surface condition required for stable material removal.

An optimized dressing interval helps maintain:

Consistent wheel sharpness
Stable grinding forces
Predictable thermal behavior
Reliable dimensional control

Because wheel condition changes continuously during grinding, dressing must be applied at a defined interval to maintain consistent performance. How often dressing and truing are applied determines whether wheel wear remains controlled or turns into scrap, rework, and downtime.

The Consequences of Late-Run Scrap

In a perfect world, the grinding wheel would maintain its condition for the full production run. In reality, wheel wear progresses independently of any planned production cycle. Changes are often subtle at first, making it difficult to identify exactly when part quality has drifted out of spec.

As wheel condition deteriorates, shifts in cutting behavior, heat generation, and material removal can go unnoticed. By the time late-run scrap is identified, multiple components may already be affected. Earlier parts may need inspected again to determine when the process first deviated, adding unplanned downtime.

Late-run scrap is particularly disruptive because it combines material loss with lost time for investigation, reinspection, and stabilizing production. Maintaining consistent wheel condition through regular dressing helps limit process variability, reduce late-run scrap, and minimize the investigation and recovery effort that often accompanies end-of-run failures.

Are You Dressing Too Often—or Not Often Enough?

While dressing and truing are essential to many grinding processes, it is possible to have too much or too little of a good thing.

Over-Dressing

It may be tempting to dress more frequently to head off quality issues before they can develop. However, over-dressing accelerates wear on both the grinding wheel and the diamond dresser. Each dressing cycle removes usable abrasive material and incrementally wears the diamond roll.

When dressing intervals are too short, this can result in:

Accelerated wear of the grinding wheel and diamond dresser
Increased downtime for wheel and roll changes
Higher tooling and maintenance costs

Frequent interruptions for dressing reduce productive grinding time, negatively impacting throughput and cost.

Under-Dressing

At the other extreme, trying to maximize overall productivity by delaying dressing until problems arise introduces a different set of issues. Under-dressing allows wheel wear, loading, and glazing to accumulate.

As the wheel loses cutting efficiency and geometric accuracy, the process becomes unstable. Common consequences include:

Unacceptable surface finish
Thermal damage or burn
Chatter and vibration
Dimensional variation out of tolerance

Not only does this create scrap, it also prolongs downtime. In many cases, multiple dressing cycles are required to restore the grinding wheel’s geometry. Extended dressing time accelerates diamond roll wear and delays the return to stable production.

The optimal dressing interval lies between these extremes and must balance wheel sharpness, profile accuracy, and tool life.

Is There a “Recommended” Dressing Interval?

This is one of the most misunderstood questions in dressing.

There is no universal dressing interval that works equally well for every grinding process. Dressing performance depends on a complex interaction of variables, including:

Grinding wheel specification, including abrasive type, bond, and structure
Workpiece material and hardness
Stock removal rates
Wheel speed and feed parameters
Dressing method and dressing ratios
Required surface finish and profile tolerances

At CDT, we produce dressers for multiple dressing methods, each with its own ratios and parameters to condition the grinding wheel correctly for the application. A dressing interval that performs well for one material or geometry may produce burn, chatter, or profile loss in another.

For this reason, dressing should be treated as an engineered process decision rather than a fixed rule. Optimizing dressing frequency is best achieved by evaluating the entire grinding system and making adjustments based on actual process behavior.

Dressing as a Lever for Cost per Part

When dressing intervals are optimized, the benefits extend beyond part quality. A stable dressing strategy contributes to:

Longer grinding wheel life
Extended diamond dresser life
Reduced unplanned downtime
Lower scrap rates
More predictable production schedules

All of these factors directly influence cost per part. In high-value grinding applications, even modest improvements in tool life or scrap reduction can yield meaningful cost savings over the life of a program.

Conversely, poorly optimized dressing intervals may be explained away as wheel problems or undiagnosed process variability when the underlying issue lies in how often the wheel is being dressed.

Partnering on the Right Dressing Strategy

Because dressing behavior is highly application-specific, the most effective solutions are developed through collaboration. Optimizing dressing frequency requires evaluating the entire grinding system and adjusting based on real process behavior rather than generic recommendations.

CDT maintains a team of experienced sales and application engineers who can support customers, when needed, in collecting and analyzing process data to identify the optimal dressing interval for their application. If a grinding process shows signs of instability, late-run scrap, or excessive tool wear, the dressing interval is often one of the most impactful process variables to review for improving overall performance.

Continental Diamond Tool Limited (CDT Ltd.), based in Kinmel Bay in Wales, is the European subsidiary of Continental Diamond Tool Corporation, headquartered in New Haven, Indiana, U.S.A. For more than 40 years, CDT Ltd. has been a leader in diamond rotary dresser technology, originally operating as Consort Precision Diamond. Since joining CDT, the company has expanded its product line, delivering high-performance diamond plated grinding wheels and other premium superabrasive products to customers worldwide.

Carrie Fisher 12/28/25 Carrie Fisher 12/28/25

CDT Opens 2026 Ready for Growth

CDT President Nick Viggiano reflects on 2025 investments and shares how Continental Diamond Tool is positioned to support customers in 2026.

As we begin 2026, Continental Diamond Tool enters the new year with momentum, readiness, and a clear focus on partnership. The past year was one of meaningful investment. We’ve been deliberate in our growth to ensure our customers remain supported as the global manufacturing landscape becomes more complex.

In this video message and article below, CDT President Nick Viggiano reflects on the milestones achieved in 2025 and outlines how those efforts have positioned CDT—and our partners—for continued success in the year ahead.

Watch the video or read the article below to see the President’s Message: Welcoming 2026

CDT President Nick Viggiano reflects on 2025 investments and shares how Continental Diamond Tool is positioned to support customers in 2026.

Supporting Our Partners Today and Tomorrow

Since 1973, Continental Diamond Tool has grown alongside the customers and industries we serve. Entering the superabrasives industry early in its commercial development, our growth has always been driven by relationships: listening closely and responding quickly with innovative solutions that perform in real production environments.

In 2025, this approach guided some of the most significant investments in CDT’s history. Against a backdrop of shifting tariffs, geopolitical unrest, and increasing supply chain uncertainty, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure our customers can rely on us without interruption.

2025: Strengthening Capacity and Capability

Throughout 2025, CDT focused on expanding our ability to serve customers in North America and Europe with speed, consistency, and confidence.

Facility Expansion in the United States
We completed the fit-up and moved into our 72,000-square-foot expansion in New Haven, Indiana, increasing our total footprint to 200,000 square feet. Speaking to the expansion, Nick explains, “This couldn’t come at a better time as we are seeing the reshoring of manufacturing here in the U.S., which has put us in a great position to handle new and existing customer growth in North America.”

New Facility in Wales
In Q3 of 2025, our team in Wales transitioned into a larger, newly renovated facility. The team has adapted quickly, supporting new customer growth across Europe while expanding our global manufacturing and application support capabilities.

Supply Chain Resilience
To protect our customers from global uncertainty, CDT has made several proactive investments. In the video, Nick explains, “With the uncertainty of tariffs and government posturing between countries around the world, we decided to put an 18-month supply of diamond in our vault to ensure that we will be able to deliver no matter the global climate.”

Continued Investment in People
Emphasizing what differentiates CDT, Nick adds, “What continues to set us apart is our customer service and application team that supports our sales team. While our competition continues to eliminate these positions, we continue to add these valuable members.” CDT remains committed to investing in these roles to help customers optimize processes, innovate solutions, and fully realize the value of our products.

What We Reinforced Along the Way

The lessons from 2025 reaffirmed what has long set CDT apart:

Service Matters – Strong application and customer support remain central to helping customers fully realize the value of our products.
Preparation Enables Confidence – Investing ahead of demand allows us to support growth without compromise, even in the face of uncertainty.
Partnership Drives Progress – The best solutions are built through collaboration, when customers and suppliers throughout the value chain work together toward a shared goal.

2026: Moving Ahead with Clarity and Focus

As we head into 2026, CDT is excited about new partnerships that will further expand our ability to support advanced grinding applications. These collaborations are being developed with a clear goal in mind: helping our customers succeed as requirements become more complex and expectations continue to rise.

Quality, service, and partnership remain central to how we approach our work and our relationships. These principles help guide our decisions and shape where we invest.

Closing his message, Nick expressed his appreciation: “To our customers around the world, thank you for choosing CDT as your trusted partner. Your confidence in our team inspires us to continue adapting and growing to deliver solutions that support your success. You are the reason we exist.”

Stay Connected with CDT

Discover CDT’s latest product developments, company news, and educational resources through our blog, videos, and LinkedIn presence. We’re committed to supporting the grinding community with solutions that move precision manufacturing forward.

Carrie Fisher 12/17/25 Carrie Fisher 12/17/25

What Community Investment Has to Do With Manufacturing Success

See how Continental Diamond Tool supports community and workforce partnerships that strengthen reliability, service, and long-term customer success.

At Continental Diamond Tool, partnership is central to how we operate—whether that’s with our customers, our industry, or the community around us. We approach each relationship with the same expectations: mutual trust, shared commitment, and a long-term mindset. Those values guide how we do business every day, and they also guide how we give back.

As we close out 2025, we’re reflecting on where CDT has invested in local organizations, youth programs, and workforce development. These investments matter to our community and also support our long-term success as a company. A strong community makes us a better company, by supporting how we provide quality products, expert services, and responsive support to our customers.

Community Partnerships for a Stronger Team

Supporting the community starts with supporting its people and investing in programs that develop talent, skills, and leaders to help build a stronger workforce for the future.

That starts close to home, with our employees’ families and local youth. In 2025, CDT continued to support a variety of youth organizations, including dance programs, baseball and softball leagues, and youth camps. We also supported East Allen County Schools (EACS) and Central Lutheran School through team-based activities such as athletics, band, and choir.

In addition, CDT donated to the installation of American flags in school gymnasiums as a way to recognize our shared values, community pride, and the success of American-made innovation.

These programs give young people opportunities to learn responsibility, teamwork, and accountability. Over time, those same qualities add value in the workplace. For our customers and partners, it means working with those that take pride in their work and fulfill commitments.

Strong Communities Support Reliable Service

CDT’s involvement in community safety and local events reflects a simple belief: strong communities help create stable, reliable businesses.

Throughout the year, CDT sponsored seasonal programs and parades for the City of New Haven designed to bring citizens together. We also continued our support of the New Haven Police Department and the New Haven Adams Township Fire and EMS Department, recognizing the important role they play in keeping our community safe.

A company rooted in a safe and healthy community is better able to recruit and retain experienced employees, keep operations running smoothly, and respond when customers need it. That stability matters to our team and customers.

Workforce and Business Development With Customers in Mind

CDT is proud to sponsor City of New Haven events like Holiday Homecoming, bringing our community together in downtown New Haven, Indiana.

CDT’s involvement in workforce and business development is closely tied to customer success. Through our involvement with Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, we work alongside regional partners to support economic growth and talent development.

Through our work with the Grow Allen Initiative, which supports career pathways for students after high school, and the engineering department at Trine University, students are gaining exposure to real-world opportunities in advanced manufacturing. It has been rewarding to show students what high-tech jobs are available to them right here at home.

In addition, CDT offers positions for high school and college students during summer months and school breaks. These roles give students hands-on exposure to manufacturing environments and potential career paths, helping them make more informed decisions about their future.

Our annual sponsorship of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) and support of Junior Achievement also represent our commitment to encouraging mentorship, leadership, financial literacy, and workforce readiness across our community.

Together, these efforts help ensure CDT has the people, skills, and capacity needed to remain a reliable partner to customers over the long term.

Community Commitment Without Compromise

Our commitment to the community strengthens our commitment to our customers. The same principles that drive strong partnerships and service to our customers also fuels our involvement in the community: show up, do what we say we’ll do, and invest in growth for long-term impact.

We remain fully focused on delivering custom grinding solutions, responsive service, and technical support. At the same time, we know that being a dependable partner means investing in the people and communities that make our work possible.

As we look ahead, CDT remains committed to growing alongside our customers, strengthening partnerships at every level, and continuing to support the communities that support us.

From all of us at Continental Diamond Tool, thank you to our customers, employees, industry, and community partners who have grown alongside us. We look forward to continuing these partnerships and wish everyone nothing but success in 2026.

Carrie Fisher 11/17/25 Carrie Fisher 11/17/25

What a 20-Year-Old Apprentice Reveals About New Jobs Coming to North Wales

CDT's growth brings new job opportunities for apprentices and skilled operators at its larger advanced manufacturing facility in North Wales.

Kinmel Bay’s Production Manager Justin Hughes with their apprentice Stephanie Hughes-Jones.

Continental Diamond Tool is entering an exciting phase of growth. Over the next two years, we’ll be adding up to 30 new jobs in North Wales to meet the needs of growing industries in Europe and around the world.

Twenty-year-old apprentice Stephanie Hughes-Jones is one of the standout new hires whose experience highlights the opportunities opening up in Kinmel Bay.

At this location, we design and manufacture custom diamond rotary dressers and ultra-high-precision plated grinding wheels for aerospace, automotive, and other advanced industries. The need for superabrasive solutions is growing as more manufacturers turn to hard-to-machine materials like ceramics, hardened steels, and composites.

At CDT, we hear what our customers need, and we respond. The launch of our electro-plated production line in North Wales in 2023 has been a major success. This line, which produces both diamond and CBN grinding wheels, is expected to become the site’s largest product category in the near future.

Our sales team is also bringing CDT’s superabrasive products to new international markets. We now have dedicated local representatives in the Middle East, Mexico, and Poland.

Of course, growth requires investment. That’s why we’ve spent £4 million to upgrade our Kinmel Bay operation. Last summer, the team moved into a purpose-built 30,000 sq ft facility on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate — three times the size of our previous site. With this expansion, we will be doubling production capacity and have already increased our team from 35 to 46 skilled workers.

Our growth plan includes expanding the team to around 80 people over the next few years. To get there, we’re actively recruiting both apprentices and skilled operators.

Stephanie — a former pupil of Prestatyn High School — joined CDT after being encouraged by her brother Dan, who also works here. Today, she operates CNC lathes and milling machines, manufacturing high-specification tooling used by customers across the world.

When asked what brought her to custom manufacturing, she said:

“My dad is a mechanic and runs his own garage, and my brother Dan got into engineering. He went to Llandrillo College and joined CDT, and I’ve followed in his footsteps.

I gained my Level Three engineering qualification and did work experience here – people are really surprised when I say I’m an engineer and make things.

I love it. Your brain is constantly working things out and thinking of ways of doing things better. I’ve worked in retail before and didn’t really enjoy it, but this is great.”

While manufacturing has historically been a male-dominated field, CDT has worked to create an environment where anyone with interest and motivation can thrive. A sizable percentage of our workforce is women, and that number continues to grow. Here’s how Stephanie describes her experience:

“I think more girls should get into engineering – they’d enjoy it more than they think.

It is a bit intimidating at first, but everyone here at CDT has been very welcoming and helpful. The company has really encouraged and supported me.

I’m on Level Four HNC now, and next year I would like to move on to a degree apprenticeship.

There’s no reason women can’t do this job just as well as men – gender doesn’t make a difference here. With interest and training, anyone can do it.”

Kinmel Bay’s Production Manager Justin Hughes, who joined the company 18 years ago and whose father was part of the original management team, agrees:

“Stephanie has been an outstanding recruit. Now that we’ve completed the move to the new site, we’re resuming our apprentice programme, and I’m looking forward to seeing more young people working here soon.

The much larger building we have now has allowed us to completely remodel our processes for greater efficiency and a more comfortable working environment – in the old unit, you could hardly move.

It’s been incredible to see the transformation. The expansion is a testament to the strength of our partnership with our parent company in the USA and how committed they are to our success.

Now that we have the space, we’re investing in technology and people to take the business forward.

We’re well placed to make the most of growth in emerging markets – and it’s an exciting time to be part of what’s happening here.”

If you’re hands-on, enjoy a challenge, and eager to grow, we’d love to hear from you. Find job opportunities at our Kinmel Bay facility and the form to apply on our Careers page.

Continental Diamond Tool Limited (CDT Ltd.), based in Kinmel Bay, Rhyl, U.K., is the European subsidiary of Continental Diamond Tool Corporation, headquartered in New Haven, Indiana, U.S.A. For more than 40 years, CDT Ltd. has been a leader in diamond rotary dresser technology, originally operating as Consort Precision Diamond. Since joining CDT, the company has expanded its product line, delivering high-performance diamond plated grinding wheels and other premium superabrasive products to customers worldwide.

Join our team (Uk)

CDT Officially Opens £4M Kinmel Bay Expansion Amid Record Sales

CDT opens a 30,000 sq ft Kinmel Bay factory in a £4M expansion—doubling capacity and accelerating electro-plated products for customers worldwide.

Production Manager Justin Hughes addresses CDT employees, colleagues, and community members at the reception following the ribbon cutting at Kinmel Bay on September 23, 2025.

Continental Diamond Tool in North Wales is celebrating record sales after opening a new state-of-the-art engineering center.

Last week we officially unveiled the 30,000 sq ft plant on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate in Kinmel Bay, which is three times the size of the old site just half a mile away.

The move is part of a £4 million expansion plan which will see a 100 per cent increase in production capacity and a doubling of the workforce to 80 staff over the next couple of years.

There have already been benefits for the local economy because most of the contractors used for the fit-out of the new factory are based on the same industrial estate.

Demand is booming for the ultra-precise industrial tooling CDT makes in Kinmel Bay for the aerospace, automotive and oil and gas sectors, including blue chip customers like Rolls Royce, General Electric and Tenneco.

Founded in 1984 as Consort Precision Diamond, this facility's high precision diamond rotary dressing products were turbocharged after being acquired by CDT in 2018.

Nick Viggiano, Continental Diamond Tool’s President, attended the official opening along with senior executives who travelled over from the American headquarters in New Haven in Indiana.

Nick said: “This is a very proud moment to come over here and see how things have been transformed, from the factory it was before to this new space. This is wonderful.

“I think the employees feel it, and you can see in their faces they enjoy working in this new environment. I am sure we will see a great return on our investment.

“The people here are willing to try new things and push to the next level. The commitment of the team in Kinmel Bay has been a big reason behind the investment.

“We like to press forward fast and have fun doing it. I think it’s going to go really well.

“The introduction of our new electro-plated products has been a big success, and I expect they will outgrow everything else we make in this building in the next five years.”

As well as expanding the product range, CDT is breaking through into new international markets in the Middle East, Mexico and Poland where new sales teams have been established.

General manager Troy Giachero said: “One of the main reasons for our success here is the way the Welsh workforce has dovetailed with their American colleagues. Team work is everything.

“You have to invest in the people and invest in the training. We have a lot of experts on both sides of the Atlantic and the combination has enabled us to grow at the pace we have.”

He added: “One thing I’m particularly proud of is that the electric, the plumbing and the air supply for our machines was all provided by contractors on this very industrial estate.

“All the money we’ve put into this building in fitting it out was invested locally and will stay in this area, so this has helped out the local community and Wales as a whole.”

Support from the Welsh Government and Conwy County Borough Council has been key, with £100,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help purchase new equipment.

Council Leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey said: “It’s really impressive to see such high tech industry in Kinmel Bay, bringing really well paid jobs into this area.

“We know that SMEs are vitally important in Conwy and to see an organisation like this growing organically is fantastic with their products being exported across the world.”

It was a sentiment echoed by Cllr Nigel Smith, Conwy Council’s cabinet member for Sustainable Economy, who represents Kinmel Bay on the authority.

He said: “This investment by the American owners is most welcome. To see the transformation here today is absolutely amazing.

“There’s huge potential for growth because CDT are international market leaders. The future is very exciting for the town of Kinmel Bay, the county of Conwy and for North Wales.”

The honour of cutting the ribbon to officially open the new factory went to long-serving production manager Justin Hughes who masterminded the transfer of 100 tonnes of equipment to the new site.

He said: “We really hit the ground running when we moved here. The move from one building to the other was so smooth because we used the right people to do the job and the team went above and beyond to make it happen seamlessly.

“We’ve also had brilliant support from our American colleagues who have done this kind of thing before in the States so we really benefited from the lessons they had learned.

“We are already reaping the benefits. Our order book is the highest it has ever been and it’s only going in one direction and doing so very fast.

“We have more investment coming down the track, expanding our capability with the electro-plated lines. We now have space to keep on growing.”

Among the VIP guests were two of the original company’s founders, Steve Noakes and Peter Hughes, Justin’s father.

Sadly, one of the other founders, Dave Morris, the former managing director, passed away recently.

Mr Hughes said: “When the company was acquired, Dave was made up and he would have been absolutely over the moon to have been here today. He would have been so pleased.

“I’m also delighted to see how successful the company is and I am particularly proud of the part Justin is playing. He loves it and I am so chuffed for him.”

Continental Diamond Tool to Showcase Gear Grinding Solutions from Krebs & Riedel at Motion + Power 2025

See CDT and Krebs & Riedel at Motion + Power 2025 in Detroit, Michigan, with gear grinding solutions backed by U.S.-based service and engineering expertise.

New Haven, Indiana –September 16, 2025. Continental Diamond Tool Corporation (CDT) announced today details of its upcoming exhibit at the Motion + Power Technology Expo 2025, marking a major milestone as the company showcases an expanded portfolio of grinding solutions. CDT will be exhibiting at Booth 769 at the event, which is produced by the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) and will take place October 21–23, 2025, at Huntington Place in Detroit, Michigan.

This event will be CDT’s first major industry exhibition featuring Krebs & Riedel products since becoming the exclusive North American partner of the German-based abrasive manufacturer in 2024. The collaboration gives customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico faster access to Krebs & Riedel’s conventional abrasive grinding wheels, backed by CDT’s custom profiling services and application engineering expertise.

Entering the Gear Grinding Market

Motion + Power 2025 also represents CDT’s public entry into the gear grinding market. To support this expansion, CDT has invested in the Burri PM550T profile grinding machine, enabling precise wheel profiling and faster turnaround times for gear manufacturers. This addition underscores CDT’s commitment to providing gear shops with locally supported, high-performance grinding solutions.

Full Lineup of Grinding Solutions

In addition to Krebs & Riedel’s conventional abrasive wheels, CDT will showcase its Vitrified CBN grinding wheels and Diamond Rotary Dressers, both designed to deliver higher efficiency, longer tool life, and improved precision for demanding applications. Together, these offerings provide manufacturers with a comprehensive range of abrasive technologies—whether the application calls for conventional abrasives or superabrasive solutions.

Delivering Value Through Partnership

By combining CDT’s application expertise and U.S. based inventory, with Krebs & Riedel’s 140 years of innovation in bonded abrasives, manufacturers gain:

Faster access to premium conventional wheels through local stocking and distribution.
Custom profiling services to meet gear grinding and other complex application needs.
Integrated solutions that allow customers to seamlessly transition between conventional and superabrasive technologies.
Technical support from CDT’s engineering team to improve productivity, reduce downtime, and achieve consistent results.

“Motion + Power 2025 is an ideal platform to demonstrate how this partnership benefits our customers,” said Erik Van Meter, CDT Product Line Manager for Conventional Abrasives. “By uniting CDT’s technical service and local capabilities with Krebs & Riedel’s world-class products, we’re giving manufacturers the grinding solutions they need—delivered faster and supported by experts who understand their processes.”

Say hello to CDT's Erik Van Meter at Motion + Power 2025, Booth #769. He’s ready to talk gear grinding solutions and what our U.S. support means for manufacturers.

About Continental Diamond Tool Corporation

Founded in 1973, Continental Diamond Tool Corporation (CDT) is a leading manufacturer of custom superabrasive grinding wheels and diamond dressing tools. From its state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. facility in New Haven, Indiana, CDT serves a wide range of industries including aerospace, automotive, medical, and general manufacturing.

About Krebs & Riedel

Founded in 1885, Krebs & Riedel is a family-owned company and a global leader in bonded abrasives. Headquartered in Bad Karlshafen, Germany, the company provides conventional grinding wheels to more than 30 countries worldwide, known for their precision, performance, and reliability.

For more information about CDT’s products and Motion + Power 2025 presence, visit www.cdtusa.net.

Carrie Fisher 9/10/25 Carrie Fisher 9/10/25

Grinding Solutions for the Unique Challenges of Aerospace

CDT’s aerospace grinding solutions improve precision, reduce downtime, and handle tough alloys, composites, and ceramics for reliable flight performance.

Tailoring Grinding Solutions for the Unique Challenges of Aerospace

In aerospace manufacturing, precision grinding is essential for producing components that must reliably perform under extreme conditions. Whether it’s turbine blades, vanes, or structural parts, these components require tight tolerances, exceptional surface finishes, and consistent performance—all while being made from some of the most challenging materials to grind, such as nickel-based superalloys, titanium, and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs).

The grinding process must balance aggressive material removal, heat management, and tool wear resistance to achieve the required part quality and efficiency. This is where electroplated grinding wheels and diamond rotary dressers provide significant advantages, offering solutions to some of the most persistent challenges in aerospace grinding.

Evolving Challenges in Aerospace Manufacturing

Aerospace manufacturers are continuously refining their production processes to meet increasing performance demands. Several industry trends are shaping the way grinding solutions must adapt:

Advanced Materials Require New Machining Strategies

The use of lightweight, high-strength materials such as carbon fiber composites, aluminum-lithium alloys, and CMCs is growing. These materials improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity. However, their brittleness, heat sensitivity, and abrasiveness present machining challenges that require specialized grinding technology to shape them.

Additive Manufacturing Is Changing Component Design

3D-printed aerospace parts often require post-processing to achieve dimensional accuracy and surface integrity. Superabrasive grinding wheels are particularly well-suited for refining these components without inducing stress or altering their properties.

Rising Demand for High-Precision Parts

Increasing global defense spending and increased commercial air travel require manufacturers to produce high-performance components at scale, making efficient and repeatable grinding solutions more critical than ever.

Space Exploration Is Pushing Material Science Forward

New materials developed for satellite technology and space vehicles require grinding solutions that can maintain precision while working with ultra-hard alloys and ceramics, materials designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space.

With these challenges in mind, engineering the right grinding wheel is more critical than ever for ensuring part quality, process efficiency, and long-term performance in aerospace applications.

The Role of Electroplated Grinding Wheels in Aerospace

Electroplated grinding wheels offer a unique advantage in aerospace manufacturing due to their single-layer abrasive structure, aggressive cutting action, and ability to maintain form without dressing. Unlike bonded grinding wheels, where abrasive grains are embedded within a matrix, electroplated wheels expose a full layer of diamond or cBN material, ensuring sharp cutting edges and consistent performance.

How Electroplated Grinding Wheels Address Aerospace Challenges

✔ Maintaining Profile Accuracy: Electroplated wheels hold complex geometries without needing dressing, making them ideal for intricate aerospace components.

✔ High Stock Removal with Minimal Heat Generation: The open structure of electroplated wheels allows for aggressive material removal while features like coolant slots and through the wheel coolant delivery can be added to reduce heat buildup—critical when working with heat-sensitive materials like titanium.

✔ Custom-Engineered for the Application and Material: Abrasive size and type, core accuracy, and uniform plating are all critical to match unique aerospace grinding requirements.

✔ Longer Tool Life, Less Downtime: Electroplated wheels maintain their shape throughout their lifespan, eliminating the need for dressing and reducing machine downtime.

✔ Cost Savings with Strip and Replate Services: CDT offers a customized strip and replate program that allow customers to reuse the same core, reducing costs and lead times while delivering the same high-level performance. Our strip technology safely removes remaining abrasive without damaging the core and returns the tool to “like new” condition after replating. This makes it a more cost-effective and sustainable solution for aerospace manufacturers running frequent grinding operations.

"Electroplated grinding wheels are a great fit for aerospace because they are both precision and efficient. They hold intricate profiles, handle high speeds, and stand up against tough materials like nickel alloys, titanium, and ceramics — plus, with our strip and replate services, customers can extend the life of their tools and keep costs down without sacrificing performance," says Jordan Donnelly, CDT Product Line Manager for Electroplated Products.

Optimizing Grinding Performance with Diamond Rotary Dressers

Precision grinding requires continuous wheel maintenance to ensure optimal cutting efficiency and part consistency. Diamond rotary dressers are essential in aerospace manufacturing for truing and conditioning grinding wheels, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the grinding process.

Key Benefits of Diamond Rotary Dressers in Aerospace

✔ Consistency Across High-Volume Production: Rotary dressers keep grinding wheels performing uniformly, ensuring part consistency and accuracy from the first to the last component.

✔ Reducing Cycle Times & Increasing Efficiency: Keeping wheels properly conditioned and sharp, minimizes grinding forces and allows for optimum cycle times while maintaining part quality.

✔ Application-Specific Design: Whether the application requires traverse or plunge-style dressing, CDT custom-designs each rotary dresser to specific customer needs and applications.

✔ Manufacturing Customization: Every application is different, thus requiring different solutions. CDT solves this issue by offering sintered, reverseplated, and metal bonded rotary dressers.

"Consistency is everything in aerospace manufacturing. Even the smallest deviation can throw off performance, which is why rotary dressing is so important. Our custom-engineered dressers keep grinding wheels precise and reliable, helping manufacturers get accurate, repeatable results every time," explains Troy Giacherio, CDT Product Line Manager for Diamond Rotary Dressers.

The Advantage of a Multi-Disciplinary Grinding Expertise

While electroplated grinding wheels and diamond rotary dressers provide high-performance solutions, CDT’s expertise extends beyond these technologies—allowing us to approach aerospace grinding challenges from multiple angles.

We have extensive experience working with a variety of:

Bond Types: Plated, resin bond, metal bond, vitrified bond, hybrid bond
Core Materials: Carbon fiber, ceramic, high-tensile strength steel, and many more
Diamond Patterns: Handset, random set, reverse plated, CVD-reinforced
Abrasives: Diamond, cBN, and conventional abrasive grinding solutions

This broad expertise enables CDT to study materials, test performance, and develop tailored grinding solutions that push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our dedicated grinding lab allows us to simulate real-world aerospace applications, testing how new materials react during grinding and refining wheel designs to optimize performance.

This cross-industry experience from both the product and application side fosters innovation, ensuring that we don’t just provide grinding wheels—we provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of aerospace manufacturers.

Expanding Capabilities to Better Supply the Aerospace Industry

To address increasing global demand for aerospace products, CDT is expanding its electroplated grinding wheel production capacity with a new building that will grow its second plating line in Europe. This expansion will increase production efficiency, reduce lead times, and allow CDT to serve aerospace manufacturers at a larger scale.

"Expanding our plating facility is a big step forward. With the new electroplating line, we can speed up production and handle more capacity, getting products delivered faster. It’s all part of CDT’s commitment to innovation and supporting the growing needs of our aerospace customers," says Justin Hughes, Production Manager at CDT Ltd.

Finding the Right Grinding Solution for Aerospace Manufacturing

The challenges of aerospace manufacturing—tough materials, tight tolerances, and growing demand—require advanced grinding solutions that can maintain precision, minimize downtime, and innovate at speed and scale.

With specialized knowledge in electroplated diamond and cBN grinding wheels, advanced diamond rotary dresser technology, and expertise across many other grinding product types, CDT is uniquely positioned to help aerospace manufacturers optimize production processes and innovate for the future.

Contact us today to discuss how CDT’s precision grinding solutions can help optimize your aerospace manufacturing process.

Join our team (Uk)

Carrie Fisher 8/26/25 Carrie Fisher 8/26/25

CDT’s £4 million move in Wales sparks jobs boom and global growth

Continental Diamond Tool’s Kinmel Bay team moves into a new facility triple the size, boosting capacity for plated products.

Grinding Supervisor Joe Bowles, one of Kinmel Bay’s longest-serving team members, at work in CDT’s new facility designed with bright, modern spaces and staff welfare in mind.

Continental Diamond Tool in North Wales is celebrating a major transformation after moving to a purpose-built facility — unlocking massive growth potential and creating dozens of new jobs.

CDT has successfully relocated to a new 30,000 sq ft factory in Kinmel Bay after what managers described as a “logistical challenge on par with a military operation.”

The operation involved transporting more than 100 metric tonnes of machinery and equipment to the new base that’s nearly three times the size of its old premises less than half a mile away on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.

The move is part of a £4 million expansion by the company which custom engineers ultra-precise industrial tooling for the aerospace, automotive and oil and gas sectors. Blue chip customers include Rolls Royce, Airbus and Tenneco.

Originally established as Consort Precision Diamond in 1984, the company was acquired and rebranded by American-owned Continental Diamond Tool in 2018.

Production Manager Justin Hughes, whose father, Peter, was a founding member of the business, said the move marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the company.

“There is a new ambition along with the investment,” said Justin, who has worked at CDT for 18 years. “The future is bright.”

The relocation was carried out with precise planning to minimise disruption, with some production lines back in operation in less than a week.

“In three days they had transported pretty much all the machinery out of the old factory into the new one,” he said. “Production was down for a maximum of two weeks for certain products, but for others the down time was less than a week.”

The company brought in help from key suppliers, including Mills CNC, and received support from CDT’s American owners, who have overseen multiple factory expansions in the United States.

“We had help from one of our American colleagues, facility manager Mike Moehring, who even brought forward his exit flight because it had gone so smoothly,” said Justin.

“This isn’t the company’s first rodeo. They’ve helped us get things right the first time — and that’s been absolutely invaluable.”

With 46 staff currently on site, the company now plans to grow the workforce to around 80 employees over the next two years, with a major recruitment and investment push underway — particularly in the electro-plating department.

“We could only fit 14 electro-plating tanks in our old premises,” Justin explained. “Here we can accommodate up to 200. It’s the perfect environment – less humid, well-ventilated, and much more comfortable for staff.”

CDT is investing £500,000 in new equipment, and the improved capacity is already paying off.

International orders are growing and the company now has the ability to manufacture five times as many large parts per day and thousands of small parts per week, many destined for the oil and gas industry.

“We used to have to turn away orders because we just didn’t have the capacity,” said Justin. “Now we can meet that demand — and electro-plated products are on course to become the biggest part of our business.”

The company is also expanding into Poland, which Justin describes as a “manufacturing powerhouse.”

The new facility has been designed with staff welfare in mind, with a new canteen and bright, modern working conditions aimed at both retaining current staff and attracting new recruits.

“It feels like we’ve moved out of the dark ages into the 21st century,” he added. “We’ve always been capable — now we have the tools and the space to reach our full potential.”

Among the longest-serving staff is Joe Bowles, 35, from Rhyl, who began his career as an apprentice and is now CDT’s Grinding Supervisor.

“The company has grown bigger but it still feels like a family,” said Joe. “The American owners have put real money into the business and upgraded our machines – it’s a huge vote of confidence in the Kinmel Bay operation.”

Joe, a third-generation engineer, takes pride in the firm’s commitment to quality.

“Everything is inspected two or three times. Our tolerances are normally within 10 microns – a red blood cell is five microns – and sometimes we work to just a single micron. That’s how precise we are.”

For newer members of the team, the relocation was seamless. Nori Aknai, 38, originally from Hungary and now living in Rhyl, joined CDT three months ago as a finance assistant.

“I really do like it here,” she said. “The move was huge but it went incredibly smoothly. Literally, we were working in the old place one day and the following morning we came here and everything was working. The fact that it’s a growing company means it’s an exciting place to work.”

Now firmly settled in their new home, CDT is looking to the future with optimism.

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved,” said Justin. “We’ve laid the foundations to do something really special here in Kinmel Bay.”

Join our team (Uk)

https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/25415816.kinmel-bay-firms-4million-relocation-sparks-jobs-boom/

https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/25415850.kinmel-bay-firms-4million-relocation-sparks-jobs-boom/

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/there-is-a-new-ambition-along-with-the-investment-4m-move-sparks-jobs-boom-and-global-growth-at-niche-manufacturer

https://www.wales247.co.uk/north-wales-firms-4-million-move-sparks-jobs-boom-and-global-growth

https://www.welshnewsextra.com/north-wales-firms-4-million-move-sparks-jobs-boom-and-global-growth/

Carrie Fisher 5/21/25 Carrie Fisher 5/21/25

CDT Targets Growth in Eastern Europe with Sales Presence in Poland

Continental Diamond Tool expands into Poland, bringing high-performance grinding wheels and diamond dressers to the region’s growing aerospace and automotive industries.

Continental Diamond Tool is targeting major sales growth in Eastern Europe after launching our first sales force in Poland.

Leading the team is Mariusz Kowalski, our new Sales Manager for Poland, who is spearheading a drive for new orders on behalf of Continental Diamond Tool (CDT).

CDT supplies precision tooling for Tier 1 aerospace and automotive companies, specialising in designing and producing high‑spec grinding wheels for advanced manufacturing processes. Our product range includes diamond‑encrusted rotary dressers, accurate to within one‑thousandth of a millimetre.

We have also ramped up the manufacture of new electroplated grinding wheels and tools thanks to a £250,000 investment in cutting‑edge equipment at our Kinmel Bay location.

CDT sees huge opportunities to supply new customers in the rapidly developing engineering sector in Poland and other Eastern European countries.

The move is part of a £4 million expansion that will triple production and double our workforce in Kinmel Bay to 80.

As part of the strategy, we moved to a new 30,000 sq ft factory—three times the size of our current premises—less than half a mile away on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate in the summer of 2025.

Mr Kowalski graduated with a Master of Science from Warsaw University of Technology, specialising in Mechatronics Engineering, which combines mechanical, electrical, computer engineering and robotics to create innovative and complex systems.

Before joining CDT he spent most of his career at Fanar, a Polish leader in machining‑tool manufacturing, where he rose through the ranks and developed new grinding and welding processes.

Now representing CDT from Łomianki—about 20 miles west of Warsaw—he said:

“The new plant in Kinmel Bay will generate more products and a larger production volume, putting us in a perfect spot to support what’s happening here in Poland.

“The Polish market in terms of advanced manufacturing in particular is the fastest-growing in Europe with aerospace companies like Pratt and Whitney and General Electric already in Poland and the country has its own rapidly growing engineering sector which we can service.

“Poland is also attractive to European Union countries like Germany and France because it has a well-educated and skilled workforce, lower costs and is more flexible.

“It also has between 30 and 40 tool-making companies and that’s a market we are also focusing on along with the automotive sector.

“Poland has a lot of engineering companies popping up every day and they’re growing fast.

“I believe that in 10 years’ time Poland could be a world leader in high tech for aerospace, automotive and the medical science industries and CDT can be part of that.

“With our modern factory in Kinmel Bay due to come on line later this year and our operation in the USA in five years’ time we could be looking at a market worth £80 million to the company.

“It is early days for us here in Poland but every day we learn more and make new contacts.

“It’s a fast developing country. Twenty years ago we had 20 per cent unemployment but now it’s below five per cent and the economy is booming.”

CDT’s European division is also seeing business boom, with sales of our new electroplated grinding products rocketing by 960 per cent over the past two years.

We expect electroplated products to outsell rotary dressers within a few years as orders continue to increase, and the move into Poland should only boost demand.

We already export 50 per cent of our turnover from the U.K., with electroplated grinding products reaching beyond Europe into the Middle East, Thailand and Indonesia, and sales forecast to overtake rotary dressers in two to three years.

The Kinmel Bay operation was founded as Consort Precision Diamond in 1984, specialising in diamond‑encrusted rotary dressers and grinding wheels.

CDT acquired and rebranded the business in 2018; our global headquarters are in New Haven, Indiana.

We are one of only two similar companies in the U.K., supplying sectors that include aerospace, automotive, medical and semiconductors.

Our products are used in Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, as well as the Airbus A330–A380 range, whose wings are made at the Airbus factory in Broughton, Flintshire.

Continental Diamond Tool’s Director Nick Viggiano said:

“Strategically, appointing the team in Poland was a very important move because it’s the next step in our expansion in Europe.

“Poland’s economy has been transformed in recent years and it’s now a manufacturing powerhouse so this is perfect timing.

“For many years Germany was the engine of Europe and now Poland has taken that mantle.

“Poland is booming and growing. They have a great workforce and a great work ethic and the investment they have made over the past 20 to 30 years has paid off.

“Mariusz will be at the forefront, ensuring that our clients in Poland receive excellent service and support. His expertise and dedication are key to navigating this phase of growth.

“It’s a really exciting time for CDT – watch this space.”

Sales Skyrocket by 960% on Plated Products at CDT's Engineering Center in North Wales

Learn how CDT’s North Wales facility achieved 960% growth in Electroplated grinding products in just one year.

(Left to right): CDT Finance Manager Michaela Lawton, Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for Sustainable Economy Cllr Nigel Smith, and CDT Production Manager Justin Hughes.

Sales of new Electroplated grinding wheels launched by a precision engineering company in North Wales have rocketed by 960 per cent.

The success of the Electroplated line has put Continental Diamond Tool (CDT) in Kinmel Bay – which supplies blue chip companies like Rolls Royce and Tenneco – on course for considerable growth in sales volume over the next three years.

The niche company is best known for the design, development, and delivery of diamond-encrusted rotary dressers, with tolerances of down to 1,000th of a millimetre in terms of accuracy.

The team in Kinmel Bay began making Electroplated grinding wheels and other electroplated products in a small way in the third quarter of 2023. By last summer, soaring demand led the company to invest £250,000 in new, cutting-edge equipment.

Conwy County Borough Council helped make the upgrades possible by securing £100,000 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for CDT.

Production capacity will be increasing again later this year when the American-owned company moves to a new production site less than half a mile away on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.

At 30,000 sq ft, the new building is three times the size of CDT’s current home and will see the workforce doubling from 40 to 80 over the next few years.

The company expects Electroplated products to outsell rotary dressers within a few years as orders continue to increase.

This surge has already created two new full-time jobs, with recruitment underway for two more positions.

Finance Manager Michaela Lawton said: “We always had high hopes for the Electroplated products, but no one really expected to hit 960 per cent growth year on year from when we launched the new line.

“The fact that we have been able to buy this new equipment means we can respond to the demand which is fantastic.

“We have been able to adapt quickly and increase our capacity. The funding that came via Conwy County Borough Council helped massively. We’re incredibly grateful they facilitated this grant.

“We export 50 per cent of our turnover, with Electroplated grinding wheel deliveries reaching as far as Europe, the Middle East, Thailand, and Indonesia.

“Going forward we see enormous potential for this product line. We expect our Electroplated grinding products to overtake our Rotary dressers in sales in two to three years.

“The interest is there, and we can respond to that. The market is huge, and we are well-placed to take a big share.

“Our parent company in America have put rocket boosters under CDT with their investment in technology and talent. The fact that we’re moving to the new premises makes all this possible— it’s going to escalate our growth on a huge scale.

“The leadership at CDT is very ambitious, and we have the perfect synergy and a great working relationship,” Michaela remarked. “The entire team is focused on growing our capacity to deliver the best superabrasive solutions for advanced manufacturing across the world.”

Cllr Nigel Smith, Conwy County Borough Council’s cabinet member for Sustainable Economy, who is one of three councillors who represent Kinmel Bay on the authority, said: “Having a company of this calibre in Conwy, particularly in my own town of Kinmel Bay is fantastic.

“I’m really pleased that the funding we’ve been able to source for the company from the Shared Prosperity Fund has enabled them to buy this new equipment and grow the company so spectacularly, with the opportunity for 40 further jobs.

“Among the recruits will be apprentices, so there will be opportunities for our young people to find high skill, well paid jobs on their doorstep. It’s brilliant.

“It’s a real feather in Conwy’s cap that we have a company that supplies high-end, blue-chip companies like Rolls Royce, Tenneco and others across the world.

“CDT’s continued investment is a big vote of confidence in Kinmel Bay and Conwy and the dedicated workforce we have in the local area.

“They are going to grow the economy here in Conwy and in Wales generally. It’s something we need to be proud of.”

Equally delighted is Justin Hughes, CDT’s production manager, who worked for the original company before it became part of Indiana-based Continental Diamond Tool Corporation six years ago.

Our CDT team in Wales has been upgrading and expanding its plating technology to mirror the cutting-edge, 500-tank plating lab at our U.S. headquarters—delivering the same level of precision and innovation worldwide.

Justin said: “Seeing those orders coming in gives you a real buzz and where we are going to be in 12 months is phenomenal. It’s very exciting.

“The potential is huge and the more people we can give jobs to, the better. These are jobs that are at a premium in an area like Conwy.

“That’s one of the reasons we’ve done our best to keep things as local as we can – a lot of the staff can walk or cycle to work.

“We have an experienced and highly skilled team here in Kinmel Bay and in the United States, which has made the transition to Electroplated grinding products a lot easier.

“The partnership with our American owners has been a seamless blend of two well-matched teams with complementary skills.

“They have taken as much knowledge from us as we have taken from them. They are very supportive, and we get lots of transatlantic cooperation.

“I am incredibly excited for the future here. It’s very busy, there’s lots of work to do and I like it like that, and all our employees are equally excited.”

Celebrating Our Apprentices

Apprenticeships at CDT offer hands-on experience, critical skills, and leadership opportunities—more than training, they’re a launchpad for a lifelong career.

CDT Ltd.'s current and former interns (left to right): Corey Lloyd-Jones, Joe Bowles, Stephanie Hughes-Jones, Daniel Hughes-Jones, and Rhys Butler.

Investing in the Future: Celebrating Our Apprentices for National Apprenticeship Week

At Continental Diamond Tool (CDT), we take great pride in nurturing the next generation of engineers through our apprenticeship programs. In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week in the U.K., we’re highlighting the inspiring journeys of five apprentices at our manufacturing center in Wales. Read on to see how these talented individuals have developed their skills, grown within the company, and are shaping the future of engineering.e.”

From Apprentice to Supervisor – Joe Bowles’ Journey

Joe Bowles began his career with Continental Diamond Tool Ltd. in September 2007 as an engineering apprentice. Over the years, his dedication and willingness to learn saw him progress into new roles, gaining invaluable experience along the way. Today, he is the Supervisor of the Grinding Department, where he leads a skilled team and ensures high standards of quality and precision.

Reflecting on his journey, Joe shares:

"From an apprentice 17 years ago to a supervisor, my path has been driven by hard work and the support of a company that values growth, innovation, and investment in people. I look forward to furthering my career with CDT and being part of its bright future."

Joe’s success is a testament to the long-term benefits of apprenticeships, illustrating how they can open doors to leadership and career progression.

Daniel Hughes-Jones – A Key Player in CNC Machining

Daniel joined CDT Ltd. in March 2021, quickly making an impact in the CNC Machining Department. He successfully completed his HNC in Engineering, further strengthening his knowledge and technical expertise. Now, as a key team member, he operates multiple CNC machines and plays an important role in training new apprentices.

"My apprenticeship at CDT provided me with vital knowledge and a developed skill set, and I’m grateful to pass on my knowledge and experiences to the next generation of apprentices." – Daniel Hughes-Jones

Daniel’s ability to mentor new apprentices showcases the value of experienced employees sharing their knowledge, ensuring a strong and skilled workforce for the future.

Corey Lloyd Jones – Building a Strong Foundation

Corey started his apprenticeship with CDT Ltd. in September 2023 and is currently in his second year, working towards his HNC in General Engineering while also completing a Level 3 NVQ. With a strong ambition to learn, Corey is eager to develop his expertise across multiple machines and broaden his engineering knowledge.

"After finishing my apprenticeship, I would like to progress further within the company and learn more skills on more machines. I chose this career path as it looked like a good challenge. I am doing the general engineering HNC course because it opens up a lot of opportunities for me in the future, rather than having just mechanical or electrical HNC." – Corey Lloyd Jones

Corey’s enthusiasm for engineering showcases how apprenticeships provide a solid foundation for career growth, allowing young professionals to tailor their learning to suit their ambitions.

Rhys Butler & Stephanie Hughes-Jones – The Next Generation of Engineers

Rhys Butler and Stephanie Hughes-Jones, Daniel’s younger sister, are the newest members of CDT Ltd.’s apprenticeship program, having joined in September 2024. Though early in their careers, both are already embracing the challenges and opportunities that come with learning on the job.

Rhys shares his thoughts on his apprenticeship so far:

"I've been on my apprenticeship for around seven months now, and I've thoroughly enjoyed it because it has provided hands-on experience, and a deeper understanding of how complex systems come together. The opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings has been both challenging and rewarding. I've gained valuable skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and technical expertise, which have made me more confident in my abilities. Looking ahead, I would love to further develop my expertise in engineering and continue to grow in a role where I can contribute to impactful projects." – Rhys Butler

Stephanie, who was drawn to engineering for its balance of hands-on work and intellectual challenge, shares her experience:

"I chose engineering because I like jobs that are both physically challenging and mentally interesting. My apprenticeship helps me improve my skills as a machinist while giving me chances to keep learning and growing." – Stephanie Hughes-Jones

Their journeys emphasize how apprenticeships provide real-world experience, technical expertise, and career-building opportunities from day one.

Apprenticeships are more than just training—they’re a launchpad for a successful career. They provide a solid foundation for career progression, hands-on experience, and the opportunity to develop vital skills in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

The apprentices above are prime examples of what can be achieved through dedication, hard work, and the right support. From those just starting out to those who have grown into leadership roles, their journeys highlight the value of apprenticeships and the opportunities they create.

👉 Interested in an apprenticeship or know someone who is? CDT Ltd. works closely with Coleg Llandrillo to identify promising candidates for our highly competitive engineering apprenticeship programme. Each year, we offer placements to 2 to 3 students. The next apprenticeships will begin in September 2025. If you’re interested, we encourage you to explore Coleg Llandrillo’s Engineering Programme as the best route to be considered for a future opportunity with us. Learn more about Coleg Llandrillo here: https://www.gllm.ac.uk/

Join Our Team (UK)

Carrie Fisher 1/22/25 Carrie Fisher 1/22/25

2025 President's Message: Reflecting on Growth and the Future

Discover how Continental Diamond Tool's 2024 investments in people, processes, technology, and infrastructure are paving the way for enhanced customer solutions in 2025.

As we usher in 2025, Continental Diamond Tool is proud to reflect on an incredible year of progress and innovation. In this video update, CDT’s President, Nick Viggiano, shares his gratitude and insights, highlighting the milestones and lessons from the past year.

Strong Partnerships: Driven by GRIT

Thanks to the unwavering support of our customers and suppliers, CDT has thrived since 1973. We are grateful to our loyal partners who have been instrumental in making CDT an American manufacturing success story. Guided by our GRIT: Global, Responsive, Innovative Team, being a committed partner remains central to our mission as we deliver superior superabrasive solutions for advanced applications across the world.

2024 Highlights: Advancing to Better Serve You

In 2024, our focus was on making internal improvements to better serve you — our customers. By investing in people, infrastructure, and technology, we strengthened our ability to deliver the precision and quality you expect from us. Here are a few key achievements:

Strategic Leadership: Under the leadership of our new CEO, Brian VanHall, we are strengthening our strategy, structure, and systems to ensure your needs are met with efficiency and excellence.

People-Centered Investments: Our strongest competitive advantage is our people. By attracting and cultivating top talent, we have assembled a team that is committed to making every interaction and product surpass your expectations.

State-of-the-Art Expansion: Our newly expanded 72,000-square-foot Technology Center in New Haven, Indiana, will be a platform for the latest advancements in machining, inspection, and quality control for unmatched product reliability.

Global Growth: With a move underway in Wales to a larger 30,000-square-foot building, we are further increasing our capacity to provide timely support and advanced solutions to a global market.

Lessons Learned: Elevating the Customer Experience

In 2024, we put our focus on what truly matters:

People: By placing the right people in the right roles, our team is equipped and empowered to meet your needs with expertise and responsiveness.
Development: Continuously investing in our people, processes, and products delivers better, more innovative solutions for you.
Quality: Enhancing processes that assess, analyze, and assure product quality, performance reliability, and customer satisfaction.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Focused on You

As we step into the new year, we are energized by the opportunities ahead. We remain deeply committed to our mission of delivering unparalleled solutions while fostering strong partnerships with our customers and suppliers. Our gratitude extends to every individual who contributes to our success, from the dedicated CDT team to our trusted partners.

From all of us at Continental Diamond Tool, we wish you in this dynamic world of manufacturing a prosperous and fulfilling 2025.

You can find CDT’s latest product innovations, expert grinding tips, and company news by visiting our blog, watching our videos, or connecting with us on LinkedIn. Together, let’s make this another year of partnership and success!

Carrie Fisher 12/20/24 Carrie Fisher 12/20/24

How CDT Works Together to Serve Customers Better

Behind every precision tool is a team—and surprising fun facts! Guess who are neighbors, or how many interviews we conducted last year. Read the article to learn more.

Staying competitive in precision manufacturing is about more than customizing the most advanced grinding tools and cutting-edge dressing technology—it’s also about the people and processes that ensure everything runs smoothly. At Continental Diamond Tool, many departments work together to deliver exceptional products and service to our customers. In this blog, we’re highlighting the key players whose efforts behind the scenes uphold our standards of reliability and customer satisfaction.

Let’s explore how our departments—from Executive Leadership to Human Resources, Purchasing, Marketing, IT, Finance, and Administration—play a crucial role in better serving our customers.

Executive Leadership: Setting the Vision

Leadership is the compass that guides a company toward success. Our Executive Leadership team sets strategic direction, defines goals, and ensures alignment of our department initiatives with market demand. From expanding facilities for electroplating with diamonds to encouraging development of custom hybrid bonds, our leadership fosters a culture of innovation, reliability, and customer focus.

Fun Facts:

Continental Diamond Tool is a second-generation family-owned company. CDT President Nick Viggiano succeeded his father, Ray, who founded the company in 1973. Under Nick’s leadership, the company has become the fastest growing superabrasives company in North America.
Did you know CDT President Nick Viggiano and CEO Brian VanHall are neighbors? The family ties and neighborly spirit run deep in our organization.

Human Resources: Building a World-Class Team

The foundation of any successful company are people. Human Resources Director, Jenni Long, ensures we hire top talent, provide continuous training, and foster a positive workplace culture. By focusing on employee engagement and growth, HR builds a motivated, skilled team dedicated to excellence.

Fun Facts:

This month, Jenni single-handedly processed the open enrollment benefit selections for more than 180 employees. Plus, she’s conducted over 250 interviews this year.
We’re hiring! Join Jenni’s team as an HR Generalist. Click here to apply.

Purchasing: Ensuring Quality and Consistency

In precision manufacturing, quality starts with sourcing the right materials. The Purchasing department ensures our production teams have access to high-quality raw materials and supplies to meet exacting standards. Strong vendor relationships and effective inventory management keep operations efficient and cost-effective.

Fun Facts:

Inventory management is one of many functions this department handles. With more than 2,500 SKUs in our system, Dan Kortenber and Matt Sheehan ensure materials are always available to meet our customers' needs on time.
In his spare time, Matt referees both college and high school basketball.

Marketing: Connecting with Customers

Understanding customer needs is the first step to delivering outstanding service. Our Marketing team identifies trends, gathers feedback, and communicates the value of our products. From digital campaigns to trade shows, they ensure customers are informed, engaged, and confident in our expertise.

Fun Facts:

The Marketing team led by Carrie Fisher manages more than 150 projects at any given time, ensuring CDT stays innovative, engaged, and ahead of industry trends.
Did you know Marketing Generalist Stacy Viggiano is the wife of CDT President Nick Viggiano? In her role, she wears many hats, bringing her creativity, humor, and authenticity to the company’s communication initiatives.

IT: Empowering Precision with Technology

In today’s digital world, technology is integral to success. Our IT team ensures seamless communication, data security, and operational efficiency by managing robust networks and advanced software. Their work keeps CDT at the forefront of innovation, enabling precision and speed for our customers.

Fun Facts:

IT Director Jeremy Geier bridges the networks between our U.S. and U.K. facilities, enabling seamless and secure order processing and tracking between facilities.
Off the clock, Jeremy coaches the local, CDT-sponsored high school softball team in New Haven.

Finance: Driving Strategic Resource Management

The Finance team led by CFO Mike Brouwer ensures every resource decision is grounded in sound financial planning. They develop budgets, manage expenses, and forecast trends, allowing CDT to invest in resources needed for growth and innovation. Their expertise helps us maintain competitive pricing without compromising quality.

Fun Facts:

Did you know Accounting Manager Joseph Norris has been with CDT for 20 years? Joseph started as a part-time employee working with manual lathes on the shop floor. In 2014, he moved into a full-time role within the Electroplated team. In 2017, Joseph joined the Finance team and is instrumental with the many hats he wears.
Mike and Joseph both enjoy coaching sports outside of work.

Administration: Keeping TEAMS Running Smoothly

Behind every smooth operation is a team ensuring day-to-day activities run without a hitch. The Administration team provides essential support across departments, coordinating schedules, managing communications, and ensuring every detail is handled efficiently.

Fun Fact:

Amy Frecker at our front desk personally answers an average of 50 or more calls every day.

A Unified Effort for Superior Customer Service

Creating custom grinding tools for precision manufacturing applications is complex, but it’s made possible by the collaboration of diverse departments working toward a common goal: customer satisfaction. At Continental Diamond Tool, every team plays a important role in meeting and exceeding the demands of the industries we serve.

Whether it is our groundbreaking work in our grinding lab at CDT New Haven or our industry-leading processes in our 500-tank lab for electroplating with diamonds, it’s not just about what we make—it’s about how we work together to serve you better.

You’ll notice we share a love of teamwork and a spirit of camaraderie at CDT that extends beyond our workdays. Many of our team members coach or referee sports outside the office—be it basketball, softball, or other athletic programs—carrying forward the same principles of sportsmanship, collaboration, and high performance that we bring to serving our customers. These values are core to who we are, both on the shop floor and on the playing field.

Have questions about how we can help with your precision manufacturing needs? Contact us today to learn more about our commitment to excellence.

Carrie Fisher 12/18/24 Carrie Fisher 12/18/24

CDT’s Lab Evaluates Blaser Coolants in Flute Grinding Applications

Check out how we tested Blaser coolants on EVO hybrid bond wheels in CDT’s grinding lab to see which best enhances cutting, tool life, and quality in precision flute grinding.

At Continental Diamond Tool (CDT), we pride ourselves on pushing the limits of grinding technology. In one recent trial, The Grinding Chronicles team has partnered with Blaser Swisslube to test the performance of different coolants on our EVO hybrid bond grinding wheels. This experiment in CDT’s grinding lab aims to determine which coolant best enhances cutting performance, tool life, and workpiece quality in precision flute grinding applications.

Parameters for Success

Leading this effort is CDT Application Engineer Harrison Sheldon and CDT Engineering Consultant Jon VanSant, who are testing three different Blaser fluids under controlled conditions. They are measuring key parameters such as power, force, and grinding wheel wear while closely inspecting the visual quality of the workpiece for signs of burn or other surface finish issues.

“Our focus is on how the grinding wheel cuts, wears, and the resulting workpiece quality,” Jon explains. “By measuring parameters like power and force, we aim to collect data that can objectively compare the performance of each coolant under consistent conditions.”

Three representatives from Blaser joined Harrison and Jon last week at CDT’s lab: Senior Application Engineer Brett Reynolds from the New York plant, and Grinding Business Development Managers Tom Cappadona, also from New York, and Simon Stalder, representing Blaser’s headquarters in Switzerland. For this trial, Blaser has provided the coolant fluids, while CDT is supplying the EVO hybrid bond grinding wheels and the data collection equipment in the grinding lab. This setup ensures a comprehensive, scientific approach to analyzing performance with these coolants.

“When Tom approached us about this trial, we saw an opportunity to try something new with the equipment in our grinding lab,” says Harrison. “We’re excited to see how each formula stacks up to help the team at Blaser guide their customers in optimizing their process.”

Simon Stalder expressed his enthusiasm for the trial results, eager to share the findings with his engineering team in Switzerland. These results will provide valuable insights into how Blaser’s latest coolant technology enhances grinding performance and efficiency. As a global leader in metalworking fluids, Blaser delivers tailored formulas for every material, industry, and application.

Benefits of a Dynamic Testing Environment

The dynamic testing environment in CDT's grinding lab allows Harrison and Jon to adjust parameters on the fly, testing variables such as feed rate while maintaining consistent wheel speed. This enables them to evaluate the optimal feed rate range for each coolant type.

“One key advantage of running trials in the lab is the ability to collect objective data in controlled conditions,” says Jon. “Unlike in the field, where varied operator techniques can affect outcomes, our lab setting allows us to isolate variables and focus on actionable insights.”

While Blaser has come to CDT's lab primarily for the technical instrumentation and grinding know-how of our team, customers do not have to travel to take advantage of the lab’s capabilities. “CDT’s grinding lab is exceptionally flexible due to its portability. We frequently gather data directly from our customers’ processes by installing equipment at their site and analyzing it in our lab,” Harrison notes, “or we can simulate their operations on our machines and collaborate remotely to tweak their process.”

The expertise of Blaser’s application engineer, Brett Reynolds, has also been instrumental in these trials. “Brett brings a deep understanding of Blaser’s fluid formulation and their customer applications, which complements our grinding expertise,” adds Jon.

Trials on the Walter Helitronic Machine

As a 5-axis tool and cutter grinder, the Walter Helitronic is a purpose-built machine that is a centerpiece in CDT’s grinding lab and perfect for trials like this. Its versatility and precision are critical for evaluating different grinding configurations.

“The Walter machine is capable of thousands of functions, but it’s most commonly used for round cutting tools, making it perfect for flute grinding trials with our EVO Hybrid Bond fluting wheels,” Harrison says. “Its high precision, repeatability, and compatibility with advanced cooling systems make it the ideal platform for these tests.”

Jon elaborates, “The Walter allows us to make real-time adjustments to speed, feed rate, and pressure, which is essential for testing performance during these trials. Its automation and sensitive readings ensure accurate, repeatable results.”

The team at Blaser is currently reviewing the data gathered from last week’s trial and discussing how to incorporate the insights into future marketing and product development.

Accessing Our Grinding Lab Services

At CDT, we believe in the importance of real-world testing to optimize grinding processes and improve part quality. Our grinding lab is available for trials like these, whether you’re testing new grinding wheels or assessing some other metric of performance.

“Our team’s diverse areas of expertise ensures we can accommodate unique customer needs,” Harrison shares. “Whether it’s conducting tests in our lab or traveling to your site, we provide valuable solutions tailored to each challenge.”

If you’re interested in running a grinding trial with CDT, contact us with details about your process. We can recreate it in our lab or connect at your facility to gather data. From there, we develop testing parameters, share results, and make tailored recommendations for specific tools and production settings.

Learn more about Blaser Swisslube at:

Blaser.com

Linkedin.com/company/blaser-swisslube

Facebook.com/blaserswisslube

Instagram.com/blaserswisslube

Youtube.com/user/blaserswisslube1

Carrie Fisher 11/27/24 Carrie Fisher 11/27/24

Global Growth and Local Jobs Spurred by Cutting Edge Investments at Kinmel Bay Facility

Cllr Nigel Smith visited CDT Ltd. earlier this month to see how £100,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is driving innovation, growth, and 40 new jobs in North Wales.

Cllr Nigel Smith (left), Conwy Council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Economy, visits with Production Manager Justin Hughes (right), showcasing one of the precision-engineered tools made possible by our new cutting-edge equipment, funded in part by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund secured with the help of Conwy Council.

A precision engineering company in North Wales is gearing up for global growth by investing £250,000 in cutting edge equipment.

Recruitment is also underway at Continental Diamond Tool (CDT) in Kinmel Bay as part of an ambitious expansion plan that will create 40 new jobs.

It’s all preparation for a move next year to a 30,000 sq ft factory nearby that’s three times the size of the current premises on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.

Overall, the firm’s Indiana-based American owners, who took it over six years ago, are pumping £4 million into the company to triple production capacity and start making new products.

The niche company specialises in the manufacture of diamond-encrusted rotary dressers and grinding wheels, with tolerances of down to 1,000th of a millimetre in terms of accuracy.

It’s one of only two similar outfits in the UK and supplies a range of manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical and semi-conductors.

The company’s customers include blue chip corporations like Rolls Royce and Tenneco, with more than 60 per cent of the products being exported.

According to the loyal workforce, the investment is the “perfect present” for the company that’s celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

It was also music to the ears of Cllr Nigel Smith, Conwy Council’s cabinet member for Sustainable Economy, who is one of three councillors who represent Kinmel Bay on the authority.

The council helped CDT secure £100,000 in funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund towards the cost of the new equipment.

He came on a visit to see how the money had been spent on “space age kit”, including a high tech machinery centre, lathe and inspection equipment.

Cllr Smith said: “What they do is very impressive, both in terms of the state-of-the-art technology and the high skill employment they provide in Kinmel Bay.

“It’s fantastic that they’re selling their world-leading products to an international market and they have a raft of blue chip customers like Rolls Royce.

“Over the years there has been a good relationship between the company and the council’s business development team and long may that continue.

“We were delighted to be able to help in securing £100,000 towards the cost of these cutting edge machines.

“It’s impressive, top-of-the-range technology and the level of precision they work to is mind-boggling – their tolerances are within microns. It’s engineering of the highest pinnacle.

“With them moving now to larger premises, I’ll be speaking to our team if there is anything more we can do to help them moving forward to help them grow and expand.

“Employment is a key issue in Conwy so have foster and support business where we can to retain our young people.

“It’s good to see the emphasis on training here and the apprenticeships, helped by the fact that they have a very good relationship with the local college.

“It’s always been a great company and there is now a new momentum under the American ownership and it’s very pleasing to see them invest in Kinmel Bay and that will pay dividends.

“The excellent legacy of the original company is now being turbo-charged by the Americans.

“It’s a company with ambition and it’s plain to see how committed the team are here – everybody has a good work ethic and it bodes very well for the future.”

Cllr Smith’s visit was hosted by Production Manager Justin Hughes, whose father was one of the founders of the original company, Peter Hughes.

Justin said: “In this latest investment we have spent £250,000 on the three machines and it’s well in excess of £1 million just on new equipment in the last two or three years.

“We’re very grateful to Conwy Council for their help in facilitating the £100,000 that’s come from the UK Shared Prosperity fund. It’s made a massive difference because it enables us to employ the people to use those machines.

“The skill required by the people we have to do that is of the highest order and is just as important as the machine.

“Training and developing those people is just as key as our processes and our high precision machinery so working with the engineering centre at the local college is a big help.

“I am immensely proud of the company’s legacy and the way things are moving forward. It’s in my blood, this company.

“These are really exciting times with the move to the larger premises which will enable us to have new product lines.

“Continental Diamond Tool are the third biggest superabrasives supplier in the USA and they are looking to become the biggest.

“The American side of the business is growing at a rate of 30 per cent a year and we are the European arm and they are looking to us to emulate that success over here.

“We are developing a name for ourselves against the big multi-national household names and we are becoming one of those names.

Finance Manager Michaela Lawton added: “The expansion into the new premises will enable us to increase capacity and the number of products we make so the sky is the limit.

“All this is happening in the year we are celebrating our 40th anniversary and the American side of the company is celebrating its 50th.

“We’ve got a great team of people here and there’s a shared pride in what we’re achieving.

“The expansion will create another 40 jobs and we have started to recruit people because of the skill sets required and the time it takes to train them.

“We’ve had a steady number of new employees joining us, particularly over the last four or five months so we can get all our ducks in a row.

“We make our products to 1,000th of a millimetre in terms of accuracy so we have to conduct the whole operation with the same level of exceptional quality.”

https://www.herald.wales/north-wales/conwy/global-growth-will-take-off-with-cutting-edge-kit-helping-to-create-new-40-jobs/

https://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/24752773.north-wales-firm-create-40-jobs-part-expansion/

https://www.insidermedia.com/news/wales/engineering-firm-targets-global-growth-with-investment-in-new-equipment-customers-include-rolls-royce-and-tenneco

https://www.baysideradio.co.uk/news/global-growth-will-take-off-with-kit-helping-to-create-40-jobs-9750

https://north-wales-business.co.uk/global-growth-will-take-off-with-cutting-edge-kit-helping-to-create-new-40-jobs/

https://businessnewswales.com/engineering-firm-invests-in-expansion-plan-and-creates-new-40-jobs/

https://www.welshnewsextra.com/global-growth-will-take-off-with-cutting-edge-kit-helping-to-create-new-40-jobs/

Join Our Team (UK)

Carrie Fisher 9/25/24 Carrie Fisher 9/25/24

CDT Ltd. Unveils £4m Expansion Creating 40 New Jobs

Continental Diamond Tool has announced a £4 million expansion plan at its North Wales operation that will double the workforce there by creating 40 new jobs and triple production.

From left: CDT Ltd. Managing Director Jeff Wirth, Finance Manager Michaela Lawton, General Manager Troy Giacherio, Production Manager Justin Hughes, President of Sales Shane Vardaman, and Director Nick Viggiano stand outside the 30,000 sq. ft. factory that the North Wales operation will soon be occupying.

A fast-growing precision engineering firm has announced a £4 million expansion plan that will double the workforce at its North Wales operation by creating 40 new jobs and triple production.

The investment by the American owners of Continental Diamond Tool (CDT) will include moving to a 30,000 sq ft factory that’s nearly three times the size of its current premises in Kinmel Bay and is less than half a mile away on the Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.

The move is being hailed by staff as the “perfect birthday present” for the North Wales operation which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, having been founded as Consort Precision Diamond in 1984, specialising in the manufacture of diamond-encrusted rotary dressers and grinding wheels.

The niche outfit – still one of only two similar companies in the UK – supplies a range of manufacturing sectors, including aerospace, automotive, medical and semi-conductors.

Its products are used in Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, as well as the Airbus range A330-A380 whose wings are made at the giant Airbus factory in Broughton in Flintshire.

The firm was taken over and rebranded in 2018 by CDT which has its headquarters in New Haven, Indiana.

News of the investment was delivered by company President Nick Viggiano, during his visit to the Kinmel Bay site, along with Shane Vardaman, CDT’s President of Sales.

The bigger factory will enable the company to increase the range of products they make, adding several new types of high precision grinding wheels.

Nick Viggiano said: “Things have worked out even better than I thought and the investment is a real big vote of confidence in the workforce here because they have a similar work ethic and there’s good camaraderie between everyone.

“We expect to be three times the size we are in a few years’ time because there is a very big market for the products we are going to bring over here.

“We expect a swift ramp-up. Given our extensive expertise with these products in the States, we can help the team over here to quickly hit the ground running.

“The new building is like a blank canvas so we can set everything up exactly the way we want, so we’re very excited about it.”

It was as sentiment endorsed by the American Managing Director, Jeff Wirth, who said: “This investment has been a long time coming, with six years of preparation and teambuilding leading up to this moment.

“Our Kinmel Bay team, known for their rotary dressers, has already started producing electro-plated products on a small scale.

“Moving to the new building that’s nearly three times the size will give us the space to expedite that process. Additionally, we plan to manufacture two vitrified products and a hybrid product in the new space.

“This is a big step and it goes hand in hand with the expansion we’re doing in the United States.

“It comes down to Nick having a belief in the people and the team. This is going to put rocket boosters under the company to continue with the growth trajectory.

“With everything consolidated under one roof, we will get to lay it out to maximise efficiency instead of having to work around the nooks and crannies of the current building.

“The accommodation will also be improved for the employees with nice fresh locker rooms and a cafeteria.

“Nick has a supercharged, can do mentality and we expect to be up and running in the new building in the first quarter of next year.”

According to Finance Manager Michaela Lawton, the Kinmel Bay staff were delighted to have the opportunity to finally meet Nick and Shane in person.

She said: “We have a solid leadership team here and a fantastic workforce that has the full backing of our American owners and it’s clear that the team here has proved itself worthy of this massive investment.

“It’s going to be a process over the next few years, with recruitment, upskilling and training and a lot of capital expenditure on fitting out the new factory with the specialist equipment that we need.

“We are aiming to follow in the footsteps of our American counterparts who have seen huge growth over the last 10 years.

“They’ve gone from our current size to employing over 200 people and we want to follow the same path.”

Justin Hughes, the production manager in Kinmel Bay, has worked at the Kinmel Bay site for 17 years and is the son of the retired technical director, Peter Hughes, who was among the founders of Consort Precision Diamond.

He said: “The takeover has been a marriage made in business heaven because the operations on both sides of the Atlantic dovetail perfectly with each other.

“The news about the investment is incredibly exciting and is the perfect birthday present as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.

“It will undoubtedly inspire us to reach even greater heights and become a truly global player. The sky really is the limit.”

Kinmel Bay firm to double workforce with £4m expansion - Rhyl Journal

Advanced manufacturer Continental Diamond Tool in new larger factory investment creating 40 jobs - MSN

Join Our Team (UK)

Carrie Fisher 7/2/24 Carrie Fisher 7/2/24

CDT Is Boosting Capacity of Plated Grinding Wheels and Dressing Tools

Learn how Continental Diamond Tool is expanding capacity with a new PUMA Lathe, OGP SmartScope, and Doosan Milling Machine for plated grinding wheels and diamond rotary dressers.

An electroplated grinding wheel completes machining on CDT’s new PUMA DNT 2600LM CNC Lathe.

At Continental Diamond Tool, we invest in cutting-edge technology, skilled professionals, and continuous improvement. We aim to be the world’s most reliable source for innovative, high-quality, customized precision grinding solutions, offering exceptional performance and long life. The market has responded, and the last several years we have experienced tremendous growth.

To meet growing demand, our manufacturing center in North Wales has recently acquired three new pieces of equipment, made possible in part by the Conwy – UK Shared Prosperity Grant. This strategic investment is set to significantly expand our production capabilities for the manufacture of electroplated grinding wheels and diamond rotary dressers.

The Journey of Investment

In Q3 2023, CDT Ltd. in the United Kingdom embarked on an ambitious venture with the introduction of a new product line at its facility: custom-engineered electroplated cBN and diamond grinding wheels and tools. To support this initiative, we purchased dedicated electroplating tanks, stripping lines, and specialized manufacturing equipment for product testing and prototyping. This setup has been essential in ensuring that these products maintain the same precision and quality customers expect from CDT.

Meanwhile, our Rotary Diamond Dressers line — the specialty of this business center — continues to thrive. Sharing machining equipment between this booming line and the growing orders for electroplated products has become a challenge. Additionally, we are starting to see strain in our inspection capacity with the increased demand for these two technologies.

Strategic Acquisitions for Expanding Production

The introduction of a Puma lathe, OGP SmartScope, and Doosan milling machine addresses these challenges and paves the way for sustainable growth, diversification, and more efficient delivery for our customers.

Puma DNT 2600LM CNC Lathe
The first new equipment delivery took place in May with the arrival of the Puma DNT 2600LM CNC Lathe. This piece of equipment is crucial to meet the increasing demand for electroplated products independently from our rotary diamond dressers. Having a dedicated Puma Lathe for plated products assists in the timely delivery of these high-quality tools to our customers without compromise.
OGP SmartScope
In June we received the OGP SmartScope, a revolutionary 3-axis video measurement system. The SmartScope E7, with its IntelliCentric™ fixed lens optical system, 6-megapixel camera, and 5-position digital zoom, delivers high-resolution images that are essential for precise metrology. This state-of-the-art equipment will expand our inspection capacity to maintain the high standards expected of our precision products.
Doosan Milling Machine
Delivered in early September, the Doosan Milling Machine completes our trio of new equipment purchased with the government grant. This addition further bolsters production, ensuring we have the capacity to meet growing demands and continue our commitment to excellence.

A CNC operator programs CDT’s new PUMA Lathe that was delivered and installed in May.

A CDT quality tech measures a coupon on the new OGP SmartScope that was delivered in June.

A technician operates CDT's Doosan Milling Machine that was delivered in September.

Impact and Future Prospects

With the Puma Lathe, OGP SmartScope, and Doosan Milling Machine now up and running, we are already seeing the benefits in our production processes. The ability to utilize these machines for Plated products independently of our Rotary Diamond Dressers line has optimized our workflow and improved our overall efficiency.

These investments also support a long term strategy for CDT Ltd. They not only address our current production challenges but also set the stage for future growth and diversification at this facility. As we continue to innovate and expand our capabilities, we remain committed to the timely delivery of the high-quality products our clients expect.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to enhance our production capabilities and explore new horizons in the industry.

For more information on the Puma DNT 2600LM CNC Lathe, visit here.

Continental Diamond Tool Ltd., located in Kinmel Bay on the Western Coast of North Wales in the United Kingdom, is dedicated to providing top-tier superabrasive products for precision grinding and dressing.

At Continental Diamond Tool, we are excited about these investments and look forward to leveraging this equipment to further our mission of excellence in the industry. If you need a solutions provider for your precision grinding applications, please contact our sales team through our website contact form or
call +44 1745-343951 (UK) / 1-800-443-6629 (USA).

Carrie Fisher 5/31/24 Carrie Fisher 5/31/24

Brian VanHall Hired as CEO of Continental Diamond Tool

Continental Diamond Tool announces Brian VanHall as the new CEO to advance the company's mission of delivering high-quality, custom-engineered tooling solutions to customers around the world.

New Haven, Indiana – May 31, 2024 – Continental Diamond Tool is delighted to announce the hiring of Brian VanHall as the Chief Executive Officer, starting June 3, 2024. Founded in 1973, Continental Diamond Tool is a global leader in the design, manufacture, and application of precision grinding products for a multitude of industries.

Brian VanHall has been hired as the Chief Executive Officer at Continental Diamond Tool, starting June 3, 2024

As CEO of Continental Diamond Tool, Mr. VanHall is excited to advance the company's mission of delivering high-quality, custom-engineered tooling solutions to customers around the world. “I am honored to be entrusted by the Viggiano family and CDT team to help grow the legacy of excellence in developing and delivering innovative solutions for advanced manufacturing applications” said VanHall.

Mr. VanHall previously served as Executive Vice President with Ambassador Enterprises. With over 20 years of executive experience, Mr. VanHall brings a record of leading innovative projects, transformative programs, and strategic partnerships for multinational organizations to grow economic value, organizational effectiveness, and social impact. Brian received his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Baylor University and holds graduate certifications in organizational leadership, corporate governance, strategic planning, and project management.

Nick Viggiano, President of Continental Diamond Tool, said, “We are excited to welcome Brian VanHall to the team and look forward to a future of continued excellence and growth with his leadership.”

For more information about our management team at Continental Diamond Tool, click here.

About Continental Diamond Tool Corporation:

Established in 1973, Continental Diamond Tool Corporation (CDT) is a premier manufacturer of precision tooling solutions for industries worldwide. With a legacy of technical expertise and innovation, CDT is renowned for its custom superabrasive grinding wheels and diamond dressing tools. CDT is also North America’s exclusive source for Krebs & Riedel conventional abrasive wheels, which are custom profiled at our facility. Headquartered in New Haven, Indiana, CDT operates a state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing center dedicated to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service. Learn more >

Carrie Fisher 4/30/24 Carrie Fisher 4/30/24

Continental Diamond Tool Enters Strategic Partnership with Krebs & Riedel

Continental Diamond Tool Corporation partners with Krebs & Riedel, becoming the exclusive source for their abrasive products in North America. Learn more about the collaboration in this article.

New Haven, Indiana – April 30, 2024 – Continental Diamond Tool Corporation (CDT) proudly announces its partnership with Krebs & Riedel, a global leader in the abrasives industry. This collaboration positions CDT as the exclusive North American source for Krebs & Riedel abrasive products within the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Nick Viggiano, President of Continental Diamond Tool (left), and Florian Riedel, Managing Director of Krebs & Riedel.

Erik Van Meter, Senior Product Manager of Conventional Abrasives at Continental Diamond Tool and Krebs & Riedel’s official representative, expresses enthusiasm about the new partnership, stating, "We are thrilled about the high-quality products Krebs & Riedel will bring to the table. They are a well-respected name in conventional grinding wheels and have products for many industrial grinding markets which include automotive, aerospace, gear and medical."

The collaboration between CDT and Krebs & Riedel signifies a partnership deeply rooted in a shared commitment to excellence. For more than half a century, Continental Diamond Tool Corporation has consistently delivered technically superior precision grinding products across a variety of industries. As a thriving second-generation family business, CDT’s commitment to innovation and quality is reflected in its state-of-the-art North American manufacturing facility, which is undergoing a sizable expansion to cater to new product development and meet diverse customer needs. With this and a growing subsidiary in the United Kingdom, it has solidified its status as a premier worldwide manufacturer of custom superabrasive grinding wheels and diamond dressing tools.

Similarly, Krebs & Riedel is a family-owned enterprise headquartered in Bad Karlshafen, Germany, since 1885. It has a proud century-long legacy in providing quality abrasive products globally. With over 30 distributors and subsidiaries, K&R's dedication to customer satisfaction aligns seamlessly with CDT's founding principles. This partnership promises cutting-edge solutions and unwavering commitment to superior products and customer service in the abrasive products landscape. In this strategic move, CDT and Krebs & Riedel are poised to tackle the most critical tooling requirements of a growing market of customers.

“This partnership marks an exciting chapter for Continental Diamond Tool Corporation as we join forces with Krebs & Riedel to expand our product offerings in North America,” said Nick Viggiano, President of CDT. “We are proud to align with Krebs & Riedel's esteemed reputation and look forward to delivering exceptional abrasive products and unparalleled service to our customers across the continent and beyond.”

“With CDT we have found the partner who complements our high-performance products with superior service. From the first meeting we felt the same level of professionality and passion for grinding. I am convinced that our customers in North America will feel the same,” said Florian Riedel, Managing Director of Krebs & Riedel.

For more information about Continental Diamond Tool Corporation and its comprehensive range of precision grinding products, including those from Krebs & Riedel, please visit www.cdtusa.net/products.

Continental Diamond Tool Corporate Office in New Haven, Indiana, USA

About Continental Diamond Tool Corporation:

Established in 1973, Continental Diamond Tool Corporation (CDT) is a premier manufacturer of precision tooling solutions for a variety of global industries. With a legacy of technical expertise and innovation, CDT is renowned for its custom superabrasive grinding wheels and diamond dressing tools. Headquartered in New Haven, Indiana, CDT operates from a state-of-the-art 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility dedicated to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service.

Krebs & Riedel Head Office in Bad Karlshafen, Germany

About Krebs & Riedel:

Family owned since its start in 1885, Krebs & Riedel (K&R) has been a prominent global player in the abrasive products industry. With a vast network of over 30 distributors, subsidiaries, sales companies, and representatives worldwide, Krebs & Riedel is renowned for its quality abrasive products and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Conventional Abrasive Grinding Wheels - Learn More >

Carrie Fisher 4/26/24 Carrie Fisher 4/26/24

CDT Ltd. Marks Milestone with Employee Event

CDT Ltd celebrates 40 years of innovation and excellence in the diamond dresser manufacturing industry, thanking dedicated employees with a special event featuring local pizza van, Pizza Llan.

CDT Ltd, formerly known as Consort Precision Diamond, is excited to mark its 40th anniversary—a remarkable milestone in the company's history. Since 1984, CDT Ltd has been at the forefront of manufacturing rotary diamond dressers, playing a crucial role in industries like aerospace and automotive. This journey of four decades has been driven by innovation, precision, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

As we celebrate this significant anniversary, we acknowledge that our success wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated employees. To show our appreciation, we've invited Pizza Llan, a local pizza van, to join us at our premises. It's a small token of our gratitude to the team whose hard work and dedication have made our achievements possible. Here's to 40 years of success—and many more to come!

Members of the leadership team at Continental DIamond Tool Ltd. present employees with a 40th anniversary cake. (From left) General Manager Troy Giacherio, Finance Manager Michaela Lawton, Production Manager Justin Hughes, and Managing Director Jeff Wirth.

Managing Director Jeff Wirth visits from CDT’s U.S. headquarters for the occasion.

Jeff expresses gratitude to employees for their commitment to the company, emphasizing a vision for the future and its continued success.

Recent retirees came back to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, marking four decades of legacy and achievement.

Employees enjoy Pizza Llan, a local pizza van, as part of the festivities.

Nothing says 'thank you' like a plate of pizza.

Former colleagues reunite, sharing memories and catching up on old times.

Celebrating 40 years of excellence: 1984-2024

Learn more about Continental Diamond Tool Ltd.

News and Resources

What Happens During Grinding and Dressing

The Consequences of Late-Run Scrap

Are You Dressing Too Often—or Not Often Enough?

Is There a “Recommended” Dressing Interval?

Dressing as a Lever for Cost per Part

Partnering on the Right Dressing Strategy

Supporting Our Partners Today and Tomorrow

2025: Strengthening Capacity and Capability

What We Reinforced Along the Way

2026: Moving Ahead with Clarity and Focus

Stay Connected with CDT

Community Partnerships for a Stronger Team

Strong Communities Support Reliable Service

Workforce and Business Development With Customers in Mind

Community Commitment Without Compromise

Entering the Gear Grinding Market

Full Lineup of Grinding Solutions

Delivering Value Through Partnership

About Continental Diamond Tool Corporation

About Krebs & Riedel

Tailoring Grinding Solutions for the Unique Challenges of Aerospace

Evolving Challenges in Aerospace Manufacturing

The Role of Electroplated Grinding Wheels in Aerospace

How Electroplated Grinding Wheels Address Aerospace Challenges

Optimizing Grinding Performance with Diamond Rotary Dressers

Key Benefits of Diamond Rotary Dressers in Aerospace

The Advantage of a Multi-Disciplinary Grinding Expertise

Expanding Capabilities to Better Supply the Aerospace Industry

Finding the Right Grinding Solution for Aerospace Manufacturing

Strong Partnerships: Driven by GRIT

2024 Highlights: Advancing to Better Serve You

Lessons Learned: Elevating the Customer Experience

Looking Ahead to 2025: Focused on You

Executive Leadership: Setting the Vision

Human Resources: Building a World-Class Team

Purchasing: Ensuring Quality and Consistency

Marketing: Connecting with Customers

IT: Empowering Precision with Technology

Finance: Driving Strategic Resource Management

Administration: Keeping TEAMS Running Smoothly

A Unified Effort for Superior Customer Service

Parameters for Success

Benefits of a Dynamic Testing Environment

Trials on the Walter Helitronic Machine

Accessing Our Grinding Lab Services

The Journey of Investment

Strategic Acquisitions for Expanding Production

Puma DNT 2600LM CNC Lathe

OGP SmartScope

Doosan Milling Machine

Impact and Future Prospects

GET A free, no obligation quote

North America (Head office)

EUROPE

GET A free,
no obligation quote