Cascade Engineering Celebrates 30th Anniversary

Cascade Engineering Celebrates 30th Anniversary

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan, April 17, 2003 – Thirty years ago this week, Fred Keller founded Cascade Engineering in Grand Rapids. The fledgling company, then a division of Paragon Die and Engineering, occupied a single plant, employed six and was primarily focused on manufacturing mold tryouts for the plastics industry.

Thirty years later Cascade Engineering has grown into a global family of companies, with 1,200 employees at 12 facilities (including 700 in West Michigan). Today the company designs and manufactures plastic components for OEM clients in the automotive, trucking and industrial markets, as well as Cascade-branded products serving material handling customers. In addition, Cascade enjoys key strategic partnerships with companies like Dow Automotive and is regarded as a pioneer in the advancement of plastic technologies.

Cascade has also built a national reputation for innovative human resources practices and long been a leading supporter of community efforts in Grand Rapids and other geographic markets where it does business.

“I am very proud of all who have contributed to the success of Cascade Engineering over the years,” Keller said. “We are trying to build an organization where every person knows they are valued and to support the communities where we do business. In the last 30 years there have been tremendous changes in manufacturing. As we move forward, we recognize that this is the beginning stage of a second industrial revolution that will not look like the first. In this new world, we will remain focused on developing a truly sustainable business.

“Our recent corporate realignment has made us closer to the customer and focused Cascade on being the best total-cost provider of innovative solutions. President and COO Mike Valz and his team are doing a great job of positioning Cascade Engineering for the future.”

A West Michigan employer committed to becoming an employer of choice in the community, Cascade strives to be a leader in human resource practices, employee relations and corporate culture. The company’s Welfare-To-Career (W2C) program is a nationally recognized program that encourages those currently receiving government economic assistance to make a successful transition to employment and self-sufficiency.

The company’s PHASES program, which stands for Providing, Health, Activities, Safety and Enrichment Services, helps employees maintain a successful balance between their work and family responsibilities as they enter new phases of their lives. The program offers Cascade employees a variety of childcare-related benefits, including baby beepers, a childcare hotline, adoption assistance and flexible work scheduling.

Cascade was recently recognized as Michigan’s 50th Clean Corporate Citizen for demonstrating consistent environmental compliance, adopting pollution prevention programs and using an effective environmental management system.

Cascade Engineering is beginning its 30th year following its best-ever year of performance in 2002, highlighted by record sales and significant improvements in quality, productivity and safety. Cascade, which is privately held, said sales grew 11.2 percent for the year ended August 31, 2002, despite difficult conditions in the overall economy and the industries that Cascade serves.

Milestones in the history of Cascade Engineering:

1973 – Company founded as department of Paragon Die and Engineering.
1976 – Cascade becomes independent company.
1978 – Cascade wins its first automotive contract, an air-conditioning duct for Oldsmobile.
1981 – Cascade opens its second plant.
1987 – Cascade wins its first international contract from Japanese customer.
1990 – Cascade installs 9,000-ton injection molding press, the largest in the world at the time.
1991 – Cascade becomes global company, founding Cascade Engineering Europe in Hungary.
1992 – U.S. Dept. of Labor recognizes Cascade for achievements in employee skill improvement and outstanding contribution in workforce quality.
1996 – Cascade Company’s facilities earn ISO 9000 certifications.
1999 – White House recognizes Fred Keller with Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership for Company’s PHASES program.
2000 – Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce recognizes Cascade as Corporation of the Year at its Minority Business Awards.
2001 – Cascade recognized as Processor of the Year by Plastics News, a leading industry trade publication.
2002 – Goodwill Enterprises International recognizes Cascade as 2002 Large Employer of the Year.
2003 – Cascade announces corporate realignment, aimed at building the foundation for the achievement of the Company’s stated goal of $1 billion in revenues.

About Cascade Engineering
Cascade Engineering is a world leader in engineered plastic systems and components. The company produces components for OEM customers as well as Cascade-branded products. Cascade is widely recognized for innovation in both technology and its management practices. The Cascade Family of Companies employs more than 1,200 people – approximately 700 in the Grand Rapids area.

Contact
Jeff Lambert, Ryan McGrath
Lambert Edwards & Associates, Inc.
616-233-0500
mail@lambert-edwards.com

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