Meet the Team: Frederick Leblond

Frederick “Fred” Leblond has built a career helping manufacturers overcome production challenges.

In his new role as CAM product owner at Cimatron, Fred will apply his more than two decades of industry expertise to shaping the direction of the company's CAM technology development and creating solutions that meet the evolving and varied needs of customers.

“Anybody who's actually worked in a shop and understands the challenges that customers face can bring unique approaches to overcoming them,” he says.

Fred, who worked for moldmakers and cutting-tool companies for more than 20 years, spent over a decade with Japanese cutting-tool manufacturers Moldino and Union Tool, supporting customers across Europe and bridging the gap between tool development and shop-floor applications.

As Cimatron’s CAM product owner, Fred works closely with regional teams, technical specialists, and customers to identify emerging needs, prioritize development goals, and help shape future software releases.

“My goal is to understand what customers need worldwide and help bring those innovations into future versions of the software,” he says. “To build the right solutions, we must understand what customers need today and what they’ll need tomorrow.”

Fred believes intelligent automation and simulation are key to addressing workforce shortages while meeting demands for improved productivity.

“Automation tools, including AI and machine-learning technologies, can streamline workflows and reduce manual effort,” he says. “When the software can understand what the customer needs, we can help them work faster and be more productive every day.”

He notes that advanced simulation capabilities also increase productivity by empowering manufacturers to use complex machinery with confidence.

“Our goal is to ensure that what programmers see in the software is exactly what happens on the machine,” Fred says, noting that innovation continues to be propelled by the needs of the industry.

Fred sees ongoing opportunities for innovation in programming, particularly in the areas of automation, simulation, and strategies that support intelligent machining. As these technologies continue to advance, his focus remains on helping customers work more safely and efficiently.

Fred is based in Germany, where he lives near the Nürburgring racetrack. When he's not helping customers or working to develop innovative CNC programming tools, he enjoys playing table tennis and spending time with his family. A father of two, he is also a volunteer firefighter active in his local community.