LONDON, UK, Feb 26, 2026 – ENGYS announces a new agency agreement with COATL Engineering in Mexico to strengthen its presence across Latin America. The partnership reinforces ENGYS’s commitment to delivering local commercial and technical support for HELYX and ELEMENTS users throughout the region.
Latin America represents a growing market for advanced engineering simulation, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, energy and industrial sectors. Through this collaboration, ENGYS aims to provide closer access to scalable open-source CFD solutions, supported by regional expertise and direct technical engagement.
COATL Engineering will be responsible for commercial activities and sales support in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, ensuring that all CFD users in the region can take full advantage of the many benefits provided by HELYX and ELEMENTS in terms of reduced licensing costs, scalability, ease-of-use, technical quality and robustness.
“Partnering with ENGYS allows us to bring robust and flexible CFD solutions to engineering teams across Latin America,” said David Barrera, Managing Director of COATL Engineering. “There is increasing demand for simulation tools that offer transparency, access to the source-code and adaptability to specific industrial workflows. This collaboration enables us to respond to that demand with strong regional support.”
Francisco Campos, Director of Operations at ENGYS, commented: “ENGYS has established a strong presence in the Americas through our US and Brazilian offices. With this agreement, we are expanding our reach into more Spanish-speaking territories across Latin America. By working with COATL Engineering, we extend our regional coverage while maintaining the high technical standards and customer support that define ENGYS. Our aim is to ensure that engineers throughout LATAM can get reliable access to HELYX and ELEMENTS, our enterprise-class open-source CFD technologies.”
About ENGYS
ENGYS develops advanced open-source CFD software solutions for enterprise applications designed to make fluid dynamics simulations more accessible, efficient, and cost-effective. With a commitment to innovation, continuous improvement and customer success, ENGYS offers powerful software tools such as HELYX and ELEMENTS, backed by expert support and consultancy services across multiple industrial sectors globally. For more information, visit www.engys.com.
About COATL Engineering
COATL Engineering is an engineering consultancy based in Mexico, providing simulation-driven solutions and technical services to industrial clients. The company supports product development and optimisation through advanced engineering tools and local expertise. For more information, visit https://www.coatl.tech.
NATICK, MA, USA, Feb 26, 2026 – MathWorks, the leading developer of mathematical computing software for designing engineered systems, announced it has joined the EDGE AI Foundation, an organization focused on advancing energy-efficient AI technologies for edge devices. By working with the organization’s global network of supporters, MathWorks will help engineers use its software platforms, MATLAB and Simulink, to train, integrate, and deploy AI models to embedded devices and validate performance through system-level simulation.
“MathWorks joining the EDGE AI Foundation strengthens our shared mission to make edge AI more accessible,” said Pete Bernard, Executive Director of EDGE AI Foundation. “As a recognized leader in embedded AI for engineered systems, MathWorks brings proven capabilities for AI model integration, system-level simulation, and optimized code generation. These contributions will be invaluable to our community as we work together to accelerate advancements in edge AI.”
MATLAB and Simulink deliver an end-to-end workflow for Embedded AI, enabling engineers to train, integrate, and deploy AI models efficiently. Key capabilities include system-level simulation to validate behavior before deployment, multi-target deployment of optimized C/C++, CUDA, and HDL code from the same Simulink model, and compression techniques for resource-constrained devices. The workflow also supports verification and validation (V&V) for safety- and mission-critical systems, multi-framework integration with MATLAB, PyTorch, TensorFlow, ONNX, and XGBoost, and low-code apps that allow engineers to train AI models without deep expertise.
MathWorks software enables engineers across industries to design and test embedded AI applications. In automotive, engineers use MATLAB and Simulink to create virtual sensors—such as estimating battery state of charge or motor temperature—and deploy them on microcontrollers for real-time performance in resource-constrained environments. In aerospace, teams develop anomaly detection and predictive maintenance algorithms that can be deployed on FPGAs to meet stringent latency and safety requirements in flight-critical systems. In industrial automation, engineers use MATLAB and Simulink to develop defect detection algorithms for visual inspection applications, deploying them on embedded GPUs to ensure high-speed, accurate quality control.
“Joining the EDGE AI Foundation is a natural extension of our commitment to empowering engineers and scientists to innovate in AI, machine learning, and edge computing,” said Lucas Garcia, Product Manager, AI, MathWorks. “Our workflow enables teams to validate AI models developed in MATLAB and PyTorch through full-system simulation, optimize them for tight compute and memory constraints, and deploy across a wide spectrum of embedded hardware platforms. We look forward to collaborating with the Foundation and its members to advance the deployment of reliable, efficient AI solutions that address real-world challenges.”
Engineers interested in learning more about how they can use MATLAB and Simulink to design, simulate, test, verify, and deploy AI algorithms that enhance the performance and functionality of complex embedded systems should visit mathworks.com/solutions/embedded-ai.
About EDGE AI Foundation
The EDGE AI Foundation (formerly tinyML Foundation) is a global non-profit community of innovation, collaboration, advocacy, and education for efficient, affordable, and scalable edge AI technologies. With over 100 Fortune 500 technology companies, over 500,000 YouTube views, LinkedIn followers and Discord users, and over 100,000 individuals taking tinyML classes worldwide, EDGE AI Foundation unites diverse industry leaders, researchers, and practitioners to drive collective progress and achieve breakthroughs that are solving the world’s biggest challenges. For more information, visit edgeaifoundation.org.
About MathWorks
MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software for designing engineered systems. MATLAB, the language of engineers and scientists, is a programming and numeric computation environment for algorithm development, data analysis, and visualization. Simulink is a block diagram environment for simulation and Model-Based Design of multidomain and embedded systems. MATLAB and Simulink provide a unified computing platform that empowers engineering teams to model, simulate, and deploy complex engineered systems spanning industries such as automotive, aerospace, energy, and medical devices. MATLAB and Simulink are fundamental teaching and research tools at the world’s top universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 6,500 people in 34 offices globally, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. Visit www.mathworks.com.
SANTA CLARA and MENLO PARK, CA, USA, Feb 25, 2026 – AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) and Meta announced a 6-gigawatt agreement to power Meta’s next generation of AI infrastructure across multiple generations of AMD Instinct GPUs.
This agreement expands on the companies’ existing strategic partnership and aligns roadmaps across silicon, systems and software to deliver AI platforms purpose-built for Meta’s workloads. The first deployment will use a custom AMD Instinct GPU based on the MI450 architecture to deliver AI platforms that are optimized for Meta’s workloads at gigawatt-scale. Shipments supporting the first gigawatt deployment are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026 powered by the custom AMD Instinct MI450-based GPU and 6th Gen AMD EPYC™ CPUs, codenamed “Venice,” running ROCm™ software and built on the AMD Helios rack-scale architecture. AMD Helios was developed jointly by AMD and Meta through the Open Compute Project to enable scalable, rack-level AI infrastructure.
“We are proud to expand our strategic partnership with Meta as they push the boundaries of AI at unprecedented scale,” said Dr. Lisa Su, chair and CEO, AMD. “This multi-year, multi-generation collaboration across Instinct GPUs, EPYC CPUs and rack-scale AI systems aligns our roadmaps to deliver high-performance, energy-efficient infrastructure optimized for Meta’s workloads, accelerating one of the industry’s largest AI deployments and placing AMD at the center of the global AI buildout.”
“We’re excited to form a long-term partnership with AMD to deploy efficient inference compute and deliver personal superintelligence,” said Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta. “This is an important step for Meta as we diversify our compute. I expect AMD to be an important partner for many years to come.”
In addition to the collaboration on GPUs, AMD and Meta are expanding their AMD EPYC processor partnership. Meta has been a close partner over multiple generations, deploying millions of AMD EPYC CPUs and significant deployments of AMD Instinct MI300 and MI350 series GPUs across their global infrastructure. As AI infrastructure grows in scale and complexity, CPUs are a strategic pillar of the AI compute stack, enabling efficiency, scalability and orchestration alongside GPUs. Building on deep roadmap alignment, Meta will be a lead customer for 6th Gen AMD EPYC CPUs, codenamed “Venice,” and “Verano,” a next-generation EPYC processor designed with workload-specific optimizations to deliver leadership performance-per-dollar-per-watt.
As part of the agreement, to further align strategic interests, AMD has issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of AMD common stock, structured to vest as specific milestones associated with Instinct GPU shipments are achieved. The first tranche vests with the initial 1-gigawatt of shipments, with additional tranches vesting as Meta’s purchases scale to 6 gigawatts. Vesting is further tied to AMD achieving certain stock price thresholds and exercise is tied to Meta achieving key technical and commercial milestones.
“We expect this partnership to drive substantial multi-year revenue growth and be accretive to our non-GAAP earnings per share, marking another significant step forward in delivering on our ambitious long-term financial model,” said Jean Hu, EVP, CFO and treasurer, AMD. “The performance-based structure also tightly aligns AMD and Meta around execution and long-term value creation.”
Together, AMD and Meta are collaborating across silicon, systems and software to enable AI infrastructure at a global scale that accelerates AI innovation and brings AI-powered services and experiences to billions of users.
AMD Teleconference
AMD will provide a real-time audio broadcast of the teleconference on the Investor Relations page of its website at www.amd.com.
About AMD
AMD (NASDAQ: AMD) drives innovation in high-performance and AI computing to solve the world’s most important challenges. Today, AMD technology powers billions of experiences across cloud and AI infrastructure, embedded systems, AI PCs and gaming. With a broad portfolio of AI-optimized CPUs, GPUs, networking and software, AMD delivers full-stack AI solutions that provide the performance and scalability needed for a new era of intelligent computing. Learn more at www.amd.com.
About Meta
Meta is building the future of human connection, powered by artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. When Meta launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward experiences that foster deeper connections and unlock new possibilities.
BUDAPEST, Hungary, Feb 25, 2026 — Graphisoft, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software solution developer for architecture and multidisciplinary design and part of the Nemetschek Group, today announced the acquisition of long-term distributor partners, Graphisoft Australia and Central Innovation New Zealand, from Central Innovation, deepening customer relationships and expanding its direct presence in the Pacific region.
The acquisition gives Graphisoft the assets it needs to operate directly in the region, allowing the company to provide services and support straight to customers in two key BIM markets. It comes at an important time, as Graphisoft introduces disruptive solutions and continues its evolution toward a multi-product organization.
“By welcoming our Australian and New Zealand distributors into the Graphisoft family, we accelerate growth, strengthen customer relationships, and deepen our long-term commitment to both markets,” said Daniel Csillag, CEO, Graphisoft. “The Central Innovation team brings over 30 years of market expertise, strong customer relationships, and deep insight into user expectations, further enriching our global experience and strengthening our presence in the Pacific region,” Csillag added.
“We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in expanding BIM adoption across Australia and New Zealand, and we’re confident our customers will benefit significantly from Graphisoft’s hands-on approach to support and services, as well as its long-term vision for the AEC industry,” said Shannon Reshno, COO, Central Innovation.
Customers in Australia and New Zealand will continue working with the same trusted team they know — now as part of Graphisoft’s global organization — ensuring continuity, while offering access to Graphisoft’s international expertise, resources, and support.
Graphisoft empowers teams to design great buildings through AI-assisted software solutions, learning programs, and professional services for the AEC industry. Our award-winning solutions and services support OPEN BIM to enhance workflow transparency, asset longevity, and data accessibility for built assets. Archicad, the architects’ BIM software of choice, offers end-to-end design and documentation workflows for architectural and engineering practices of any size, with MEP Designer enabling engineers to model, coordinate, and document building systems directly within the BIM environment. BIMx, the most popular mobile and web BIM app, extends the BIM experience to include all stakeholders in the building design, delivery, and operations lifecycle. BIMcloud, the AEC industry’s first and most advanced cloud-based team collaboration solution, makes real-time collaboration possible across the globe. DDScad solutions support users with intelligent electrical design tools, integrated calculations, and comprehensive documentation. Graphisoft is part of the Nemetschek Group. To learn more, visit graphisoft.com.
NORTH BETHESDA, MD, USA, Feb 25, 2026 – Xometry, Inc. (NASDAQ: XMTR), the global AI-native marketplace connecting buyers and suppliers of custom manufacturing, announced that effective July 1, 2026, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Randy Altschuler, will transition to become the Executive Chair of the Board. Sanjeev Singh Sahni, Xometry’s current President, will succeed Altschuler as Chief Executive Officer and join the Board of Directors.
“I co-founded Xometry in 2013 to digitize the global manufacturing market and our record 2025 results are a testament to how far we’ve come. With the company on a clear and increasingly profitable trajectory, this is the ideal time to transition our leadership from a position of maximum strength,” said Randy Altschuler, Xometry CEO. “During his tenure, Sanjeev has proven instrumental to Xometry’s accelerated revenue growth and expanding profitability. As the largest individual long-term shareholder, I am confident that this planned succession will further accelerate Xometry’s momentum under Sanjeev’s leadership.”
“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Randy for the extraordinary leadership and vision that has guided Xometry from startup to a leading digital marketplace for custom manufacturing,” said Fabio Rosati, Xometry Chairman of the Board. “Following a disciplined and collaborative succession process, the Board is thrilled to appoint Sanjeev as CEO and Randy as Executive Chairman. Since joining as President, Sanjeev has proven his leadership abilities and demonstrated the strategic and operational vision required to lead Xometry through its next era of expansion.”
Upon the formal transition on July 1, Altschuler will move into his role as Executive Chair. In this capacity, he will remain deeply involved in the company’s future, focusing on strategic growth initiatives and key corporate partnerships while incorporating a founder-perspective at the Board level. Rosati will continue as the Lead Independent Director on Xometry’s Board.
“I’m honored and excited to step into the CEO role at Xometry at such a pivotal moment for the company,” added Sanjeev Singh Sahni, Xometry President. “Under Randy’s leadership, Xometry has been defined by a singular, unwavering mission to make the world’s manufacturing capacity accessible to all. That strategic clarity has built a foundation of enduring value that allows us to scale with immense confidence. I look forward to working closely with Randy and our talented global team to accelerate our product-led growth and further cement Xometry as the essential marketplace for the custom manufacturing industry.”
About Xometry
Xometry’s (NASDAQ: XMTR) AI-native marketplace, popular Thomasnet industrial sourcing platform and suite of cloud-based services are rapidly digitizing the manufacturing industry. Xometry provides manufacturers the critical resources they need to grow their business and streamlines the procurement process for buyers through real-time pricing and lead time data. Learn more at xometry.com or follow Xometry on LinkedIn.
MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb 26, 2026 – Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering Mission Software & Services unit (ST Engineering) to pursue new business opportunities in the public safety sector. This MoU will leverage the combined strengths and expertise of both companies to deliver innovative solutions that enhance community safety and operational efficiency.
“Our partnership with ST Engineering has been successful in the defence sector, and we are confident that our combined capabilities within the public safety industry will bring significant value to the market,” said Jonathan Lee, Vice President, Asia, for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division.
Christian Gianatti, Vice President, APAC, for Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division, stated, “Hexagon has a well-established presence in the Asia Pacific region, with decades of experience in successful public safety deployments. This MoU with ST Engineering marks a pivotal moment in our journey together and underscores our mutual commitment to innovation and growth in the public safety industry.”
Marcus Ng, ST Engineering’s General Manager for Software and AI, commented, “At ST Engineering, we are dedicated to advancing public safety through innovative, AI-driven solutions. Our expertise ranges from real-time threat detection to improving operational efficiency, enabling public safety agencies to respond more swiftly and effectively. We look forward to collaborating with Hexagon to explore new business opportunities in the public safety sector.”
About Hexagon
Hexagon’s Safety, Infrastructure & Geospatial division improves the resilience and sustainability of the world’s critical services and infrastructure. Our solutions turn complex data about people, places and assets into meaningful information and capabilities for better, faster decision-making in public safety, defense, transportation, government and physical security.
Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 24,800 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 5.4bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com.
DURHAM, NC, USA, Feb 26, 2026 – restor3d, a leader in 3D-printed, personalized orthopedic solutions, today announced the full commercial launch of the Ossera AFX Ankle Fusion Cage System, a comprehensive platform engineered to address complex ankle fusion cases and now available in both standard off-the-shelf and made-to-order configurations.
Following a successful limited market release over the past several months, restor3d has expanded the Ossera AFX portfolio to include a standardized implant offering in Cylinder, Dome, and Pill geometries. These geometries were developed through years of analysis of restor3d patient case data to optimize fit across a broad range of anatomies. Designed specifically for foot and ankle procedures, the system combines 3D-printed Titanium alloy implants, foot and ankle-specific reusable instrumentation, and TIDAL Technology, restor3d’s proprietary porous architecture engineered to support osseointegration.
“The Ossera AFX System is a readily available, standardized solution to deal with critical bone defects and has superior mechanical and osseointegration properties compared to allograft,” said Christopher Kreulen, MD. “The foot and ankle specific instrumentation and robust selection of sizes have significantly changed my complex limb salvage practice.”
Ossera AFX is designed for rapid delivery, with sterile-packed implants and reusable instrumentation available immediately. The system’s thoughtful design, including cannulated reamers, flat cut guides, and lateral fibular relief across implant geometries, supports efficient, reproducible surgical workflows while providing intraoperative flexibility.
“We understand that every surgeon has unique preferences and approaches when it comes to patient care,” said Ken Gall, Chief Commercial Officer at restor3d. “That’s why we offer a comprehensive array of personalization options across our portfolio. Our goal is to ensure that every surgeon has access to the right tools to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
The Ossera AFX Ankle Fusion Cage System is launched to full-scale commercial distribution on February 6, 2026. To learn more about the system please visit https://www.restor3d.com/ossera-afx/
About restor3d, Inc.
restor3d is a world leader in 3D printed patient specific musculoskeletal implants and driven by the belief that every patient deserves personalized care. The company holds proprietary expertise and intellectual property in 3D printing of osseointegrative materials, AI-based planning and design automation tools, and digital health solutions to provide seamless data-backed care to optimize individual patient outcomes. Alongside its customers, restor3d is reimagining the musculoskeletal reconstruction landscape. More information is available at www.restor3d.com.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, Feb 25, 2026 — Fictiv, a global supply chain and manufacturing company, and MISUMI Group Inc., a leading global supplier of mechanical components and manufacturing services, released the 11th Annual State of Manufacturing & Supply Chain Report, a survey of over 300 senior supply chain and manufacturing leaders. The report reveals an industry operating in persistent volatility and fundamentally redefining how products are designed, sourced, and built.
“Global manufacturing has entered a new phase where quality, compliance, and transparency are non-negotiable,” said Representative Director and President Ryusei Ono, MISUMI. “This research reflects what we see across our customer base: a growing expectation for consistent performance at scale amid increasing regional, regulatory, and technological complexity.”
The 2026 State of Manufacturing and Supply Chain Report highlights a turning point for the industry—where AI, digital platforms, and on-shoring are now essential to staying competitive.
AI Transforms Manufacturing & Supply Chains
AI Addresses Workforce Shortages
Digital Manufacturing Platforms Boost Production
On-Shoring Top Priority
Supplier Sourcing Complex & Time-Consuming
External Tariff Expertise Needed
“This year’s data makes clear that speed, predictability, and resilience now define competitive advantage. The companies that are pulling ahead are the ones leveraging AI and digital manufacturing platforms, robust global networks, and embedding quality into their operations,” said Dave Evans, President & CEO, MISUMI Americas.
AI adoption accelerates
Nearly all of the 300+ manufacturing leaders surveyed (99%) say supplier tariff and trade expertise is now essential in partner selection, and 98% report that rising raw-material costs are actively informing smarter, more resilient sourcing strategies.
At the same time, leaders are gaining clarity on the operational improvements that can deliver the greatest impact. Today, 83% of engineers spend four or more hours per week on procurement-related workflows—highlighting a strong opportunity for efficiency gains—while 93% of leaders say productivity improves when administrative tasks are offloaded. Together, the data shows manufacturers not only recognizing the challenges ahead but also taking decisive steps to streamline operations, empower engineers, and build supply chains designed for long-term performance.
Across the production lifecycle, rising complexity is amplifying supply chain management pressures across the production lifecycle. Manufacturing planning cited as the top challenge for balancing cost, quality, and time-to-market, followed by production, sourcing, design, and demand forecasting. Notably, 81% of leaders now say supplier sourcing and management is too time-consuming and costly, up from 73% in 2025—highlighting a growing need for more integrated operating models.
AI adoption has also moved decisively from experimentation to execution. The vast majority of respondents (97%) say AI is already embedded across core manufacturing and supply chain workflows, with 95% considering AI a requirement rather than an option. Many leaders anticipate AI-driven productivity gains of 50% or more, with some projecting improvements of two to five times as workflows are redesigned around automation and intelligence.
The future of manufacturing is digital
The report further underscores the importance of digital manufacturing platforms, with 97% percent of leaders saying they are essential, up from 86% in 2024. Manufacturing leaders are also prioritizing services that reduce handoffs and compress cycle time. Ninety-three percent report that engineering productivity would significantly or moderately improve through managed manufacturing or supply chain services, and 98% see clear optimization opportunities— particularly in quality management, supply chain design support, and DFM, costing, and engineering services.
“Over the past few years, supplier sourcing and management have become significantly more complex and resource‑intensive. Increased volatility, along with the need for greater visibility and resilience, has made managing suppliers much more challenging.” said, Senior Sourcing Manager at Global Automation Integrator
Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company that enables organizations to scale globally without the typical barriers of cost, complexity, and risk. By leveraging Fictiv’s four global manufacturing centers in India, Mexico, China, and the U.S., companies can access high-quality production, optimize logistics, and mitigate supply chain risk—ensuring they can move from prototype to production with speed and confidence. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 39 million prototype and commercial parts and assemblies for early-stage companies and large enterprises alike, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth. For more information, visit www.fictiv.com.
About MISUMI Americas
MISUMI Americas provides configurable components, standard parts, and custom manufacturing solutions serving automation, robotics, medical, automotive, electronics, aerospace, and industrial equipment markets across the United States and Mexico. By uniting MISUMI and Fictiv, the company delivers a unified digital manufacturing platform that connects design, engineering, and production with unmatched precision, speed, and reliability. For more information, visit: us.misumi-ec.com (MISUMI Group Inc.,)
About the Research
This is the 11th annual report conducted with Dimensional Research. The report surveyed 300+ qualified individuals at the director level or higher who work in engineering, supply chain, production manufacturing, R&D, or digital innovation roles. Most companies produce goods in clean energy, electric vehicles, robotics, or medtech industries.
PITTSBURGH, PA, USA, Feb 24, 2026 – Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT), a global leader in metal cutting solutions, today announced the launch of its Machinist of the Year program, a new annual initiative designed to recognize the skill, dedication and innovation of long-time machinist customers across every region. Winners will be announced in the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India.
“Machinists are the backbone of manufacturing,” said Eddie McBarnett, Kennametal’s Vice President of Marketing & Strategy. “Kennametal’s innovations have always been driven by the needs of these skilled professionals with tooling solutions that cut faster, last longer and help shops achieve greater precision and profitability.”
The Machinist of the Year program celebrates this enduring partnership by celebrating machinists who embody craftsmanship and innovation. Teams in the Americas, EMEA, APAC and India will each recognize a machinist who showcases the very best of their region’s machining excellence.
“Our global search for Machinists of the Year is more than a contest—it’s a celebration of the partnerships and expertise that drive our industry forward,” said Scott Etling, Vice President of Product Marketing Management.
To enter, participants should post a brief, compelling video on their own social media channels, sharing how they use Kennametal products and why they should be selected as “Machinist of the Year.” Entrants must tag Kennametal, include the hashtag #KMTMachinist and have been actively using Kennametal products at their workshop for at least the past year. Finalists will be selected regionally by the company’s marketing teams in each region, and final voting will be open to the public on Kennametal’s social media channels.
Each regional winner will receive the following:
Feature on Kennametal’s website, blog and social media channels
Award package including exclusive signage and merchandise
$7,500 (USD equivalent) in branded “Machinist of the Year” Toolbox and Kennametal tooling
Invitation to lead live machining demonstrations at a global trade show (IMTS, AMB, JIMTOF, IMTEX/AMTEX, as applicable)
Automatic designation as a Kennametal Brand Ambassador
Timeline
February 2026 — Official program launch
June 2026 — Regional nominees announced, voting begins
September/October 2026 — Regional winners revealed at trade shows and online
For full details, submission guidelines and voting information, visit Kennametal’s Machinist of the Year page.
About Kennametal
With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Every day approximately 8,100 employees are helping customers in nearly 100 countries stay competitive. Kennametal generated $2 billion in revenues in fiscal 2025. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, USA, Feb 24, 2026 – Following his final competition in Cortina next month, three-time U.S. Paralympic medalist, designer and maker, and CEO & founder of BioDapt, Mike Schultz, is retiring from competitive para snowboarding. Today, Autodesk is announcing a partnership with BioDapt to advance the next generation of high-performance prosthetics for para athletes preparing to compete in Los Angeles in 2028 and beyond.
Mike Schultz designing in Autodesk Fusion
The partnership will build on months of technical collaboration between Autodesk and Schultz in Fusion — Autodesk’s AI-powered industry cloud for manufacturing — to redesign and refine key components of his competitive prosthetic systems. Now, as Schultz transitions fully into his role as founder and CEO of BioDapt, the collaboration will help BioDapt scale toward broader innovation across winter and summer para sports.
The implications extend well beyond elite competition. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.5 billion people worldwide require one or more assistive products, yet access can be as low as 3% in some countries. While BioDapt’s focus begins in high-performance sport, the underlying challenge is fundamentally a design and manufacturing one: how to build complex, high-performing products that are durable, repeatable, and scalable for more people.
The same advances in design efficiency, manufacturability, and data continuity that support para athletes on a start line are the same capabilities Autodesk helps manufacturers apply across industries — from medical devices to advanced equipment powering industrial machinery, building product fabrication, and next-generation consumer products — to improve reliability, reduce cost, and expand access at scale.
From athlete to full-time maker
Schultz’s career has always balanced two identities: super athlete and maker. After losing his leg in a 2008 snowmobile accident, he designed and built his own prosthetic leg capable of withstanding competitive snowboarding. In 2010, he founded BioDapt, which today supports approximately 90% of lower-limb athletes globally competing in Para Snowboard World Cup events and at other international competitions — with about 25 athletes expected to compete in Cortina wearing equipment Schultz developed.
Mike Schultz at the Autodesk Boston Tech Center
As technology advances, the opportunity to further optimize prosthetic equipment for elite competition continues to expand. That evolution raises the bar — requiring repeatable builds, durability, repairability, and consistent performance across travel, training, and changing conditions.
Advancing prosthetic design with Autodesk Fusion
Ahead of his final competition, Schultz worked with Autodesk Research and Autodesk’s Fusion teams to consolidate years of prosthetic development and legacy CAD models into Autodesk Fusion, establishing a centralized Fusion Hub: a cloud-connected source of truth for BioDapt’s designs.
The team prioritized improvements to Schultz’s ankle frame and binding brace, optimizing for performance and durability in cold conditions by increasing stiffness without extending 3D print time, and adding hole patterns so one part fits multiple BioDapt leg models — reducing the need to run separate versions.
Using Fusion’s integrated design, simulation, and design-for-manufacture workflows, Schultz was able to iterate quickly while traveling between training sessions and competition. The redesign resulted in improved durability during training, with no component failures since the updates — a critical advancement for parts that absorb repeated impact.
Through this winter’s competition season, Schultz competed with increased confidence in the reliability and structural integrity of his prosthetic leg — a meaningful outcome in a sport where equipment performance directly influences safety and results.
Looking ahead
With his focus now fully on innovation in para sports, Schultz and Autodesk have their eye on helping para athletes train to compete in Los Angeles in 2028 and beyond.
Future areas of exploration could include:
Advanced ankle-frame concepts using metal 3D printing
Integration of motion capture and embedded sensor data to better analyze force transfer and fatigue
Using AI-powered tools in Autodesk Fusion to suggest and evaluate design improvements automatically — helping Mike adapt his prosthetics as training demands change.
“I’ve always had two sides to my career — competing and building,” said Mike Schultz. “For years, I’ve pushed myself to be the best athlete I could be, while spending countless hours refining the gear that makes that performance possible. As I step away from competition, I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned and apply it to helping the next generation of athletes go even further. Working with Autodesk has already helped us better understand how forces transfer, where materials fatigue, and how small design changes can make a measurable difference — not just for one athlete, but for many. And we’re just getting started.”
“Mike has the rigorous mindset of an elite athlete and an engineer,” said Jeff Kinder, EVP of Design and Manufacturing at Autodesk. “With Autodesk Fusion, we’ve brought together design and make in a single, cloud-based platform — connecting teams, data, and workflows while leveraging AI to accelerate development from concept through production. This integrated approach creates a repeatable model for high-performance prosthetic innovation for any athlete.”
Follow the journey
Schultz’s transition from competitor to full-time innovator is documented in Built to Move, a three-part docuseries co-produced with TFA Group and launching March 6, 2026, on Autodesk.com.
About Autodesk
The world’s designers, engineers, builders, and creators trust Autodesk to help them design and make anything. From the buildings we live and work in, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive over. From the products we use and rely on, to the movies and games that inspire us. Autodesk’s Design and Make Platform unlocks the power of data to accelerate insights and automate processes, empowering our customers with the technology to create the world around us and deliver better outcomes for their business and the planet. For more information, visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk. #MakeAnything
About Mike Schultz and BioDapt
In 2008, Mike suffered a life-changing knee injury during a snowmobile competition resulting in the amputation of his left leg above the knee. Seven months later, Schultz was competing again and realized that the regular prosthetics couldn’t handle the competitive, rigorous sports his body at one time could handle. Mike not only engineered a durable and versatile mechanical knee that utilizes a patented linkage system and a FOX mountain bike shock, he realized the need for advancements in high-impact adaptive sports prosthetics that others could use. Creating high-impact adaptive sports prosthetics became BioDapt, Inc. — the company Schultz founded in 2010 to help wounded soldiers, action sports athletes, and amputees wanting to return to an active lifestyle.
In 2018, Schultz was named to the U.S. Paralympic team. He competed in Snowboard Boardercross and Banked Slalom, where he finished the season as the overall champion in both disciplines and won the gold and silver medals in Pyeongchang, Korea. That year, his teammates voted Mike to carry the U.S. flag during the opening ceremony. In July 2018, Schultz won the ESPY Award for Best Male with a Disability. Though he considered stepping away from elite competition, he returned to the global stage in 2022 — the same year his book “Driven to Ride” was published — and came home with another silver medal. At the 2022 Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing, Mike provided 26 athletes from 11 countries BioDapt equipment. For the 2025 Snowboard World Cup and Paralympic circuit, 90% of lower limb amputees globally use BioDapt.
