The Best Grinder of the Year

Frankfurt am Main, 20. May 2026 – Fabio Schoppet was the delighted winner of the two-day live “Grinder of the Year” (GOTY) competition held on May 6 and 7 at the GrindingHub in Stuttgart. The 28-year-old apprentice from K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge GmbH won against Max Bergner (2nd place), Laurin Mink (3rd place) and Arman Hamidi (4th place). All finalists received training vouchers worth between 3000 and 500 euros.

“The live competition at the trade fair is a real highlight,” said a delighted Barbara Hannappel, Managing Director of KSKomm who organized the “Grinder of the Year” competition. Visitors can see firsthand how a drawing is transformed step by step into a precision tool. “People are given a pretty clear idea of just how interesting and challenging modern tool grinding can be”, she continued. The aim is not only to put on an attractive event, but also to promote young talent and to try and counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the field of grinding technology.

“The competition was a challenge,” says Fabio Schoppet, “but it was really fun and a really cool experience. I made a lot of great contacts and had some enjoyable conversations. When I realized that I was the winner, I was pretty overwhelmed. It was an absolute highlight.”

Having tried his hand at a few different jobs, he explained, he struggled to find the right one for him. “Then I took an interest in metalworking”, he says, and came across K.H. Müller Präzisionswerkzeuge in Sien, Germany. The company’s good reputation in the region and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere it promoted influenced his decision to take up an apprenticeship as a precision tool mechanic. “I find the job exciting and varied,” said the winner. When he received information about the GOTY competition from the vocational school, it was a spur-of-the-moment decision to take part and “gain as much experience as possible”.

The three other finalists also confirmed that they were able to gain a wide range of experience. When Arman Hamidi (28) watched the GOTY competition at GrindingHub two years ago, he was thrilled. “I really enjoyed it”, recalls the aspiring precision tool mechanic from GDS Präzisionszerspanungs GmbH in Ofterdingen. “The challenge itself and everything that comes with it – it’s just great”. It is something he views as a great opportunity to take his professional skills to the next level. This view is shared by two of the youngest competitors, Max Bergner (18) and Laurin Mink (21) from Kopp Schleiftechnik in Winterkasten.

Intensive training program with the main sponsor

Some of the most important experiences of the event come from interacting with everyone who participates in, supports, or is sponsoring the competition. The highlight for the finalists will likely be the two-day intensive training session with the main sponsor Walter Maschinenbau in Tübingen. “The Grinder of the Year competition provides the ideal platform for showcasing the latest grinding technology and demonstrating in a practical way what an end-to-end manufacturing process looks like,” explained the CEO, Dr. Christoph Müller-Mederer, regarding his motivation for supporting the GOTY competition. The intensive training program is designed to create a level playing field for all finalists, “so that they can fully realize their potential in the competition”, said Dr. Müller-Mederer.

The first day of intensive training at Walter began with an introduction to the company’s proprietary software, which provides the essential tools for productive and cost-effective grinding. The Helitronic Tool Studio software can be used to create drawings and 3D models for each tool. This data can then be later accessed and displayed via the machine tool’s CNC control system. There, the operator is presented with a complete 3D simulation of the machine and grinding process, including all axis movements. This allows the grinding process, including wheel changes, to be checked and verified in advance.

Day two saw the competitors receive a comprehensive briefing on the machine they would be using during the GrindingHub competition in Hall 9. The Helitronic Mini Plus with C.O.R.E. technology was developed for the flexible production and inspection of small to medium-sized tool diameters. The associated intelligent operating system C.O.R.E. with umati interface, which facilitates the exchange of data between machines, comes from the United Grinding Group, to which Walter Maschinenbau belongs. This operating system makes the machines network-compatible, allowing them to communicate seamlessly with other machines and be integrated into digital factories.

High-tech industries require highly skilled workers

The finalists had to meet the requirements expected in grinding technology for future-proof manufacturing. For the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW), organizer of GrindingHub, the promotion and recruitment of young talent in the machine and plant engineering sector is a top priority. According to the VDW, local companies need highly qualified professionals in order to be able to compete on the international stage. This is one of the reasons the Nachwuchsstiftung Maschinenbau was founded in 2009 and has since focused on promoting the transfer of knowledge between industry, schools, and universities in order to continuously improve training standards and increase trainee and student numbers in mechanical engineering.

In any case, after two days of intensive training, the competitors were well prepared for the live final at GrindingHub. Encouraged by their teachers and instructors, while also drawn by the unique appeal of the competition, they applied to take part and were now just days away from their big performance before the industry experts in Stuttgart. A huge step, but one that will also throw open the door to further professional development. They have already gained not only valuable experience, but also training vouchers that can be used to attend seminars, conferences, training courses or a subsequent master craftsman course.  The finalists were pretty adamant about one thing: once they finish their training, they want more.

For Fabio Schoppet, one thing is certain: After completing his apprenticeship, he wants to use his 3000 euro voucher to finance a course at an engineering school. Arman Hamidi’s primary focus is on the innovative fields of automation and robotics. The Iranian-born apprentice, who only moved to Germany two and a half years ago, says he can definitely see himself pursuing further training in this field.

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Author: Cornelia Gewiehs, freelance journalist, Rotenburg (Wümme)