How Mathias Die Company and Die Cutting Advisors Are Collaborating to Strengthen the Industry
In an industry where hands-on knowledge is retiring faster than it can be replaced, real training opportunities have never been more valuable. That’s why partnerships rooted in shared values—like education, innovation, and customer-first solutions—are becoming more essential than ever.
This is exactly the spirit behind the growing relationship between Mathias Die Company (MDC) and Die Cutting Advisors (DCA).
At the heart of this collaboration is the installation of a Crest 32x47 clamshell press in Mathias’ headquarters, a press represented by DCA and known across the industry for its build quality, modern safety systems, and speed of setup.
But this partnership is about much more than equipment placement.
A Press That Owns the Stage
In Mathias’ dedicated training and demonstration area, the Crest clamshell press takes center stage—literally and figuratively. It has become the core piece of equipment used in MDC’s in-house Tooling & Converting Workshops, which are held twice a year and attract attendees from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
“Having the Crest on our floor for training and demonstrations brings together the best and most advanced clamshell press technology with the best die cut tooling in the industry,” says Matt Bignell, Director of Operations at Mathias Die Company. “The clamshell press owns the stage as the main press for demonstrating press set-up techniques, makeready process best practices, and the proper use of press stops.”
He adds that the visual openness of the press makes it ideal for training:
“Visually, the clamshell press allows for a platform where it's easy to see the demonstrations and how the tooling and material interact. With the Crest, we can now demonstrate much quicker press set-up techniques, especially with kiss-cutting.”
This isn’t theoretical learning. Workshop attendees get to see real-world press setups, live tooling adjustments, and optimization strategies they can take back to their own production floors.
“We can show companies how to save valuable on-press time during production runs when using the Crest with Mathias tooling,” Matt says. “It’s a great complement to the die cutting equipment we use for demonstrations.”
Complementary Strengths, Shared Values
While DCA and MDC operate in different lanes—DCA focuses on equipment consulting and education, while Mathias is known for its engineering-forward approach to tooling and converting—they meet at a critical intersection: customer enablement.
DCA founder Rob Weidhaas, who has spent more than 30 years in the die cutting and converting space, saw an opportunity to place a Crest press in a facility where customers could get more than just a product demo.
“Too often, companies are forced to make major capital decisions without fully understanding how the equipment will fit into their real-world process,” Rob says. “By putting the Crest in Mathias’ training center, we’re giving them a place to see the full solution—press and tooling—working together. That’s huge.”
What makes this partnership unique is that it's not sales-first—it's education-first.
“When you combine great tooling with the right press and give people a chance to learn hands-on, you’re not just selling something. You’re equipping them to succeed,” Rob adds.
For Mathias, that philosophy aligns perfectly with their mission.
“Our goal is to give customers the chance to see complete die cutting solutions in action,” says Matt. “We want them to leave our facility with clarity—on tooling, on equipment, on process. That kind of education helps them make better decisions, and ultimately gets better results.”
A Platform for the Future of the Industry
Both DCA and Mathias are deeply aware of the shifting dynamics in the industry. As seasoned press operators retire and more non-traditional manufacturers enter the space, there’s an increasing need for accessible, high-quality training opportunities.
This partnership addresses that directly—offering a space where knowledge is not only shared but experienced. The Crest press, alongside Mathias’ tooling, becomes a living classroom.
“This collaboration is about supporting the future of the industry,” Rob says. “If we want die cutting to thrive in the next 10, 20, or 30 years, we need to make education a priority today.”
Training With Real Tools. Real Presses. Real People.
While the workshops at Mathias are held twice a year, the impact of this partnership extends year-round. From day-to-day demonstrations to custom testing and client visits, the Crest-equipped training area is a resource hub for learning and discovery.
Whether it’s a customer exploring a new application, an OEM evaluating tooling options, or a manufacturer looking to speed up makeready time—the Mathias + DCA partnership offers more than information.
It offers clarity, credibility, and confidence.
Looking to Learn Firsthand?
The next Tooling & Converting Workshop at Mathias Die Company will be held on May 13–14, 2026.
During this immersive two-day event, attendees will:
Dive deep into their role in achieving the best tooling and converting outcomes
Participate in hands-on exercises using real equipment (including the Crest clamshell press)
Gain practical insights they can bring back to their production floor
This workshop regularly attracts converters, press operators, engineers, and decision-makers from across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
To learn more or request attendance, visit:https://www.mathias-die.com/inquire-form/
