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As we mark International Women’s Day on 8 March 2026, we’re proud to celebrate Nayeli Martinez, named ANCA Female Machinist of the Year 2025 - a recognition of technical excellence, persistence, and the kind of problem-solving that raises the standard for all of us. 

Nayeli is Team Leader – Design at OSG GmbH in Göppingen, Germany, part of a business that produces standard and special cutting tools for the German market and a European stock centre, with an active regrinding service and a team of around 125 employees. 

OSG’s special cutting tool division includes custom tools, modification and coating services, with manufacturing capabilities down to tolerances as tight as 1 µm.  The Göppingen site produces both standard and special tools and supports regrinding services (including carbide endmills, drills, and more). 

Nayeli made her start into cutting tools in her native Mexico, before moving into her chosen field with OSG in Germany - a move that also requires her to be fluent in multiple languages. For Nayeli, the award represents more than individual achievement. She attributes it to the “hard work” of her wider team and the mentors who have supported her progression, showing how dedication and passion translate into excellence in a high-precision field. 

A systems-thinker in a microns world 

Nayeli’s pathway into tool design is as distinctive as the tools she develops: she trained in biotechnology engineering, then applied that systems mindset to cutting tool geometry and grinding. Instead of optimising one angle in isolation, she looks at how every variable interacts - geometry, coating, stability, coolant strategy, and what’s practical on the shopfloor. When something fails, she treats it as data: analyse, find root cause, refine, repeat. 

The toughest jobs are Nayeli’s favourite. 

Nayeli lights up when the work gets hard - heat-resistant alloys, difficult materials, and applications where customers say they’ve “tried everything.” Those challenges demand creativity and rigour: testing, adjusting, and iterating until the process becomes reliable. It’s creative, technical work that demands experimentation, refinement, and a willingness to test ideas. The result isn’t just a better tool - it’s trust built through proven outcomes, shared learning, and customer confidence.  

In development work, iteration speed matters, and ANCA’s technology is helping her deliver. Nayeli highlights the value of being able to simulate and validate ideas before grinding, then move confidently from development into production with the repeatability that customers depend on. She also points to machine stability and the freedom to explore complex geometry as key enablers of better outcomes. Nayeli focuses on the critical parameters that affect performance and highlights good communication as essential to making recommendations to customers.  

Normalising diversity in technical leadership 
 

The ANCA Female Machinist of the Year award exists to make the excellence of women in manufacturing visible. And visibility changes what feels possible, especially for technical roles. Nayeli hopes that diversity in her field becomes unremarkable. 

Nayeli is candid about earning trust as a young woman in a traditionally male space. Her approach is practical and inspiring: prepare deeply, listen first, communicate clearly, and back recommendations with evidence - numbers, simulation, and results. Nayeli explains, “I let my work speak for itself.” 

Her advice to women considering machining, manufacturing, or engineering is equally direct: don’t underestimate that you belong; build competence and confidence; ask the technical questions; and find mentors - men or women - who will share knowledge generously. And don’t be afraid to fail, because progress comes from iteration.  

“I had a mentor in Mexico, who was willing to teach me. He saw my motivation and tried to give me as much knowledge as possible - I’m really grateful to him,” said Nayeli.  

What’s next? Looking ahead, Nayeli wants to go deeper into advanced geometries, process optimisation, reducing cycle times, and increasing automation - while also mentoring other young women entering the field. 

Nayeli added: “I feel proud and grateful to all the people that support me and work with me so far on this path. I’m really happy to get this opportunity and thank ANCA for making women more visible so that others know their achievements. I hope people read my story and can find the motivation they need to fulfill their dreams.” 

International Women’s Day is a reminder: recognition matters. Stories like Nayeli’s don’t just celebrate achievement - they help widen the pathway for the next generation.

5 March 2026