Ekstrom Carlson of Rockford, IL has become the second North American KOMET SERVICE®licensed partner, providing customers with tool refurbishment services, as well as KOMET brand standard and made-to-order solid carbide tools.
Chicago, March 18, 2013 – “The KOMET SERVICE® network is growing rapidly with our second partner joining less than a month after the grand opening ceremony of our first partner” says Thomas Whennen, Manager, KOMET SERVICE. “Ekstrom Carlson, located in Rockford, IL will cover Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, including Chicago, Rockford, Madison and Milwaukee. Combined with the territory covered by CountyLine Tool out of East Peoria, IL, this gives customers in the entire state of Illinois, as well as neighboring areas of Wisconsin, Iowa and Indiana access to KOMET certified tool refurbishment services, to a portfolio of standard solid carbide drilling, milling, reaming and threading tools, and the manufacture of special carbide tooling. I am thrilled to welcome Ekstrom Carlson to our network.”
KOMET’s President/CEO, Jan Pflugfelder & Ekstrom Carlson’s President, Todd Kreissler
Originally founded in 1904 as an industrial machinery manufacturer, Ekstrom Carlson is now focused on manufacturing new custom solid carbide tools and providing tool refurbishment services. They also offer spindle and live tool repair services, and coolant spray mist products. “We acquired our first new CNC tool grinder in 2006, at the time as a complement to our product line, so that we could offer tool sharpening services and also manufacture new solid carbide tools to meet customer demand” says Todd Kreissler, President of Ekstrom Carlson. “We are now dedicated to the tooling business as our main product offering and our mission is to provide the best in service and quality to our customers requiring new cutting tools and sharpening services. Our location in Rockford, Illinois gives us access to a highly talented and competitive workforce, and it is an ideal geographical location to serve customers in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Becoming a KOMET SERVICE Partner will provide Ekstrom Carlson with additional training, support and technology in order to supply customers with the best products and services in the region.”
Ekstrom Carlson continues to invest in tool manufacturing and tool refurbishment with the recent purchase of two additional CNC grinders and inspection equipment. Air filtration equipment is on order to provide an even better work environment for its technicians. The company is also growing its workforce with additional tool grinding technicians and office staff in order to facilitate continued business growth and to start the ISO 9001 certification process.
“Outside sales personnel are being added and trained by KOMET to meet customer needs for technical support, delivery and additional services” adds Kreissler. “Our 25,000 square foot facility provides ample room for growth as we look to add more machines to meet future customer requirements.”
These partnerships will allow current KOMET customers to experience an enhanced level of service and support from KOMET, will represent a growth opportunity for our partners through an expansion of their product and service portfolio, and will enhance KOMET’s brand presence and customer proximity in North America through an extensive network of local partners. “It is a win-win-win situation for all” comments Thomas Whennen.
Ekstrom Carlson will celebrate its joining the KOMET SERVICE partner network with a grand opening to take place on April 25, 2013 at their Rockford facility. Part of Ekstrom Carlson’s involvement with the local community, they will also collect donations for the benefit of the Midway Village Museum, a local museum dedicated to providing education on the history of the Rockford region, during the event.
About KOMET of America, Inc.
KOMET of America, located in Schaumburg, Illinois, is the largest subsidiary of KOMET GROUP®, the global technology leader for metal cutting tools, tool concepts and complete solutions for hole making. With its KOMET®, DIHART®, and JEL® brands, KOMET GROUP is a leading global manufacturer of precision tools for bore machining, reaming, and threading. The Group has been at the forefront of innovation in the sector for over 90 years – a tradition that began with the early indexable insert borers and continues today with their mechatronic tool systems. The company currently employs approximately 1,600 staff in its 20 subsidiaries and is represented in more than 50 countries.
About Ekstrom Carlson
Founded in 1904 as a woodworking equipment manufacturer, Ekstrom Carlson is today a manufacturer of high-quality solid carbide and high-speed steel cutting tools addressing the metalworking, woodworking, plastics and foam industries. Its tools are used in general machining, machinery manufacturing and packaging, as well as in the aerospace, medical and automotive sectors. The company’s steady growth is supported by portfolio expansions targeted at serving its customers’ evolving needs, a focus on offering top-of-the-line products at the best possible price, and a commitment to exceptional customer service.