"Innovative engineering and client attention are creating growth opportunities for the Curt G. Joa, Inc. of Sheboygan Falls, WI USA," says Gene F. Kiela II, President of the company. The machine manufacturer, currently making an imprint in 55 countries, engineers, designs, installs and provides support for its machines used in converting nonwovens, plastics, paper, film, foil, tape and elastic into consumer products. Products produced by Joa machinery include: baby and adult diapers, feminine napkins, panty liners and other disposables. The Joa Company has a premier line of core machines but is equally capable of producing custom equipment.
To accommodate its rapid growth, some recent changes have been instituted and implementation begun. Personnel in both management and the general workforce have been and will continue to be added. These changes are concentrated in three areas that support Joa's bedrock tradition of building machines that last:
- Regional engineering services that are capable of designing retrofit equipment for installed machines to produce the latest products at ever increasing throughputs and efficiencies.
- Regional ability to produce and deliver retrofit equipment and replacement parts.
- Regional ability to support customer installations from both the electrical engineering and mechanical technician specialties.
Beginning immediately, Joa will be:
- Investing more capital in the company.
- Expanding production of replacement parts regionally. This is an important priority in the European market.
- Strengthening its ties to its German subsidiary Bikoma GmbH Spezialmachinen situated in Mayen. Bikoma is currently proficient at supporting all aspects of Joa machines.
- Developing and expanding its worldwide, world class work force in every country Joa does business, particularly at Bikoma in Germany.
- Opening new markets and expanding Joa's growing APAC regional support center in Chennai, India.
- Continuing its promise to install, maintain and support our equipment to the highest level worldwide.
Part of the German initiative has resulted in a complete buyout of Bikoma shares. Bernd Goebel, founder of the new Bikoma in 1997, will step away from the Company so that he can spend more time with his family and pursue his other commercial interests.
Joa shareholders elected Dr. Ralf Holz to manage the Bikoma operation. Dr. Holz will be ably assisted by Michael Gritzbach, a man of tremendous credibility in building sales teams in the disposables industry worldwide. Bikoma, a former alliance, is now a Joa Company.
Curt G. Joa, Inc. is anticipating great success in 2015. The company, started by a German immigrant in 1932, is poised to outdo its prior eighty years of excellence. Its reputation is as reputable as its machines. Joa holds 325 patents. Joa believes in the integrity and skill of its workforce around the globe.
Contacts:
Curt G. Joa, Inc.
Mike Brookins, Vice-President CFO
Mobile: 920-207-8655
Email: mbrookins@joa.com
