Tool and Mould Making Medal of Honour ISTMA President Bob Williamson receives medal of honour

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Bob Williamson, President of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA), has beeen awarded the Tool and Die Honour Medal at Moulding Expo 2025.

The Tool and Mould Making Medal of Honour has been awarded since the first edition of Moulding Expo. The award highlights pioneers and visionaries who have set groundbreaking trends for the industry. This year, Bob Williamson received the award on 7 May 2025.

This year’s recipient of the Tool and Mould Making Medal of Honour has made a significant contribution to the tool, model and mould making industry internationally for many years. He is the long-standing president of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA), the global interest group for tool and mould making companies, and is therefore the first point of contact for associations in related industries and for political institutions such as the European Commission.

Bob Williamson is particularly distinguished by his commitment to the industry worldwide, which goes far beyond his job description. Williamson also always has an open ear for the concerns of the market, which he actively supports wherever possible. As president, he has represented the interests of ISTMA members at national and international level far beyond what could be expected, which has contributed to the visibility and recognition of this otherwise often underestimated industry in many countries and markets.

The honoured award winner was visibly delighted with the award and said: “I firmly believe that our industry is the proverbial glue that holds the metalworking industry together. It’s just that we don’t always get the credit we deserve for what we do. I have therefore always seen it as my duty, especially as ISTMA President, to address this issue. Without us, there is a risk of deindustrialisation, so we are a very important part of the process chain. I am very honoured to receive this award and am committed to continuing to do my best for our industry.”

Bob Williamson completed an engineering degree at Rolls-Royce before moving to South Africa in the early 1970s. About 20 years ago, Bob was part of a team of industry representatives who came together to form an organised voice for tool and mould making and the industry in South Africa. Williamson now leads the resulting association as its secretary general.

Richard Pergler, organiser of the award, reports: “The Medal of Honour is expressly not a prize for lifetime achievement. Rather, the jury hopes that the award winners will continue to set an example for all those who are active in this industry or wish to become so. The award winners are also role models for young people and beacons beyond the industry.”

The medal is awarded by an independent jury, which includes representatives from the Association of German Tool and Mould Makers (VDWF), the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) and the Aachen Academy of Toolmaking (WBA). The 2025 Tool and Mould Making Medal of Honour was designed and manufactured at the WBA Aachen Academy of Toolmaking.

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