BIG Kaiser Hosts Grand Opening of its new Headquarters

Click on the photo above for highlights of the ribbon cutting and building tour.

I had only one opportunity to visit BIG Kaiser’s former location in Elk Grove Village, a northern suburb of Chicago. That was last fall. My impression was: “Gee, this place is cramped and crowded.” So I can understand why the company is excited about its new corporate headquarters in Hoffman Estates, which is just a few miles up the road from the old place.

I toured the new building during last week’s grand opening celebration. It’s certainly roomier (three times bigger) and more functional (has a spacious showroom, AV-equipped classroom, expanded repair center and more) than the previous building. Well-appointed but not lavish, the new headquarters will enhance the company’s pursuit of its mission to provide North American customers with precision tooling and related products, plus the engineering, service and sales support that this market demands.

At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Chris Kaiser, president and COO, commented on the courageous resolve needed to persist with plans for the new facility despite the severe downturn that swept the economy a few months before breaking ground for construction. He acknowledged that encouragement from the late Mr. Tsuyoshi Komine was a major influence in the decision to go ahead in the face of the business slump. Mr. Komine had been president and CEO of BIG Daishowa Seiki Co., Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, the company which formed an alliance with Heinz Kaiser AG of Ruemlang, Switzerland to create BIG Kaiser in 2003. Unfortunately, Mr. Komine passed away last month. A moment of silence was observed in his honor—a solemn touch to the ceremony.

Two days of technical and product seminars rounded out the event, putting the showroom and classroom areas to good use.

Highlights of the ribbon cutting and building tour are captured in the accompanying slide show.