Expansion Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Forward Technology Announces Major Expansion at Cokato, Minn. Headquarters

10,000-Sq-Ft Expansion Positions Company for Growth in Plastic Welding Equipment and Testing Systems

COKATO, Minn., September 12, 2014 – Forward Technology, a leading manufacturer of standard and custom plastic welding equipment and testing systems, has announced a major expansion at its Cokato, Minn. headquarters site, which will enable the company to significantly expand penetration into growing markets. Forward Technology’s 10,000-sq-ft expansion includes 6500 sq ft of extra manufacturing space and 3500 sq ft of new sales/office room.

Forward Technology, a company of the Crest Group, manufactures standard and customized plastic welding and testing systems specifically suited for thermoplastic parts for a broad range of applications in the automotive, medical, appliance, battery, filtration/fluid air, and consumer goods markets.

The new expansion, which was completed at the end of August, is part of a strategic effort to devote considerable new resources to help customers be more efficient and cut costs. Forward Technology plans to increase staffing for sales, marketing, and technology functions at its Cokato headquarters site and sales office in Detroit, according to Brian Kivisto, president of Forward Technology and executive vice president of the Crest Group.

“With our broad product portfolio of plastics assembly and testing equipment, we are firmly positioned as a strategic supplier and this expansion signals our further commitment to key national and multinational OEMs,” said Kivisto.

A growing U.S. economy has led to increased demand for welding equipment for the plastics manufacturing industry in a range of markets. In particular, Forward Technology has seen strong growth in infrared welding equipment for the automotive and appliance markets to meet the demand of Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.

Forward Technology designs and manufactures one of the broadest portfolios of standard and customized plastic assembly and testing systems specifically targeted for thermoplastics. The product line includes systems for hot plate welding, vibration welding, infrared welding, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding as well as systems for burst testing and custom leak testing.

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About Forward Technology
Forward Technology is a world-class manufacturer that designs and builds one of the widest available arrays of standard and customized plastic assembly and testing systems specifically targeted for thermoplastic parts. The company is located in Cokato, Minn. with a satellite service center in Sterling Heights, Mich. Forward Technology is a unit of the Crest Group – a multinational corporation comprised of several entities (some with similar offerings) who share ideas and technological developments to enhance and expand the capabilities of the entire Crest Group Company. To visit our parent company’s website, go to www.thecrestgroupincorporated.com or www.crest-ultrasonics.com.

Forward Technology manufactures systems for hot plate welding, vibration welding, infrared welding, spin welding, and ultrasonic welding, as well as burst testing and custom leak testing. The company can incorporate standard core technology into an automation system, including robotic capabilities, to meet specific requirements. For more information, visit www.forwardtech.com.

Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe@jgrandecommunications.com