Employee Spotlight Jake Diekhoff

Keith Brown • January 30, 2026

FactoryLink Announces the Promotion of Jake Diekhoff to Vice President of Sales & Marketing

FactoryLink is proud to announce the promotion of Jake Diekhoff to the role of Vice President of Sales & Marketing, effective immediately.


This promotion reflects Jake’s exceptional leadership, performance, and his ability to execute with clarity across multiple regions and product lines. Since joining FactoryLink, Jake has made a significant impact on both revenue growth and strategic alignment—driving consistency, building strong relationships with key distribution partners, and elevating the FactoryLink presence across our entire geography.


A Natural Leader With Vision and Strategy


Jake brings new vision, new strategy, and new energy into this expanded role. His background in technical sales leadership and territory development positions him perfectly to guide FactoryLink through its next stage of growth.


As VP of Sales & Marketing, Jake will be responsible for:

• Developing and executing strategy in each region

• Leading FactoryLink’s multi-state sales organization

• Enhancing engagement with strategic supply-channel partners

• Driving measurable growth initiatives and aligning brand strategy with field results

• Ensuring consistency in messaging, execution, and partner support across all territories


This role grants Jake the ability to cross territory lines, applying his experience, market awareness, and leadership across the full FactoryLink footprint.

Continuing to Lead from the Field


While stepping into a leadership role, Jake will also continue to manage FactoryLink’s IN1 and IN2 territories. Staying active in the field keeps him close to:

• Current market and material trends

• Customer and distributor needs

• Real-world opportunities and challenges

• Relationship-building with the distribution partners who help drive FactoryLink’s success


Jake has always led by example—remaining hands-on, staying connected, and operating with integrity and accountability. That approach will continue as he balances both leadership and field responsibilities.


Looking Forward



Jake’s promotion marks a major step forward for FactoryLink as we continue to scale our operations and expand our footprint across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. With Jake driving our sales and marketing strategy, FactoryLink is positioned for a strong 2026 and beyond.


Please join us in congratulating Jake on this well-deserved opportunity.


We look forward to the continued growth, structure, and leadership he brings to our organization.


Click here to connect with Jake!

Why Automotive Manufacturing Demands Custom Cutting Tools

By Keith Brown • March 13, 2026
And Why Other Industries Follow the Same Path

Surface Finish Isn’t Cosmetic. It’s Functional.

By Keith Brown • March 6, 2026
Walk through any shop and you’ll hear a lot about tolerances, feeds, speeds, and tool life. You won’t always hear people talk about surface roughness — at least not until something fails. A seal leaks. A coating flakes. A bearing runs hot. A part that 'looked fine' doesn’t perform. Surface finish isn’t cosmetic. It controls friction, wear, lubrication retention, adhesion, and ultimately whether a component survives in the real world. Why Roughness Testing Matters Surface texture directly impacts: • Performance & Functionality – Proper sealing, lubrication retention, and part interaction. • Durability – Reduced wear, corrosion, and friction-related failures. • Quality Control – Early detection of process variation before scrap piles up. • Adhesion – Reliable bonding of coatings, paint, or plating. Improper roughness doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s only a few microinches off. But those few microinches can determine whether a part runs for 10 years — or 10 hours. The Human Side of Surface Finish Every machinist has experienced this moment: You hit the print. The dimensions check out. The part looks clean. Then QC runs a roughness test — and it misses spec. Surface texture isn’t something you can judge by eye. Even experienced machinists can’t 'see' 0.01µin variation. That’s why reliable measurement tools matter. Not to police production — but to protect it. Engineering the Solution The INSIZE ISR-C002 Roughness Tester was built for real manufacturing environments — not lab-only inspection rooms. What It Delivers: • 21 Roughness Parameters (Ra, Rz, Rq, Rmax, etc.) • 0.01µin Resolution • Portable handheld design with 2.56-inch display • Bluetooth & USB output for traceability and SPC • Memory for approximately 100 results Measure immediately. Adjust immediately. Prevent problems immediately. The Result When roughness testing becomes routine: • Scrap decreases. • Rework drops. • Coating failures decline. • Warranty risk shrinks. • Confidence increases across the production chain. Surface finish stops being a guessing game. It becomes controlled. Learn how we can help your shop get a better surface finish

Why Solid Carbide End Mills Matter in High-Performance Milling

By Keith Brown • February 27, 2026
For over 200 years, PFERD TOOLS has built its reputation on precision manufacturing and innovation in abrasives. That same commitment to performance and quality now extends into a broader cutting tool portfolio with the introduction of solid carbide end mills. Manufactured to the same exacting standards that define PFERD TOOLS , these high-performance end mills are engineered for the demanding realities of modern machining. In today’s environment, cutting capability alone is not enough. Productivity, stability, and consistency matter just as much. Tools that wear quickly, vibrate under load, or require frequent changes disrupt workflow and reduce profitability. Solid carbide end mills are designed to solve those challenges — supporting faster, more stable milling across a wide range of demanding materials. PFERD TOOLS’ high-performance solid carbide end mills are built for shops that need reliable results, predictable tool life, and fewer interruptions throughout the workday. Features That Deliver Real Results Application-optimized solid carbide grades – High wear resistance and thermal stability extend tool life while reducing unexpected downtime. Precision cutting geometries – Sharp, consistent edges deliver accurate cuts and improved surface finishes, helping maintain tight tolerances. Advanced wear-resistant coatings – Lower friction and reduced heat generation allow higher cutting speeds and feed rates without sacrificing reliability. Optimized chip control – Smooth chip formation and evacuation promote stable cutting and fewer machine stoppages. Variable pitch flute design – Reduced vibration and chatter improve surface quality while protecting machines during aggressive milling. Material-specific designs – Tools tailored for stainless steel, titanium, hardened steels, cast iron, high-temperature superalloys (HRSAs), and non-ferrous metals deliver predictable performance across applications. The Result Faster cycle times. Longer tool life. More consistent parts. Operators spend less time changing tools or troubleshooting vibration, while shops benefit from smoother workflows and more predictable output. Improved surface finishes can often reduce — or even eliminate — secondary finishing operations, saving time without adding complexity. Bottom Line PFERD TOOLS’ high-performance solid carbide end mills are designed to make milling faster, more stable, and more efficient. By combining premium carbide grades, precision geometries, and advanced coatings, they help shops of all sizes improve performance while keeping long-term costs under control.