Waterjet systems manufacturer Jet Edge, Inc. celebrated its 30th anniversary earlier this month with a special open house celebration.
Jet Edge’s anniversary event included a special ribbon cutting ceremony courtesy of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce, a barbecue lunch, factory tours, and live 5-axis waterjet cutting demonstrations. Jet Edge President Jude Lague and TC/American Monorail President Paul Lague were honored by St. Michael Mayor Jerry Zachman. They also received recognition letters from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. The event attracted more than 100 attendees including customers, distributors from around the world, vendors, and local business and government leaders.
Founded in 1984, Jet Edge entered the waterjet industry during the industry’s infancy and has grown to become one of the largest and most respected manufacturers of ultra-high pressure waterjet technology in the world. Jet Edge waterjetsare used in a wide range of industries around the world, including automotive, aerospace, defense, industrial manufacturing, food production, and machine and job shops. Jet Edge’s extensive product line includes precision waterjet cutting systems, waterjet pumps, and mobile waterjet cutting and surface preparation systems.
“We’ve come a long way since 1984,” said Jude Lague, Jet Edge president. “We’ve seen waterjet technology evolve from its 36,000 psi (2500 bar) water-only past to today’s sophisticated and highly precise 5-axis and robotic systems that can reach pressures exceeding 90,000 psi (6200 bar). Back in 1984, or even in 1994, waterjet was such a niche technology that many people hadn’t even heard of it. Today, it’s as common as any machine tool, and is used to manufacture countless everyday items, from sliced fruit to titanium joint implants.”
Lague credits Jet Edge’s success to the company’s commitment to helping customers solve their toughest manufacturing problems and willingness to engineer custom solutions.
“We were born problem solvers,” Lague said. “Our company’s founder Chris Possis couldn’t find a satisfactory waterjet pump, so he built his own. Since then, we’ve had the opportunity to help hundreds of customers improve their manufacturing processes and we’ve responded to some of the world’s greatest crises, including the Kuwait oil fires, the Kobe earthquakes, and the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.”
Members of the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce join Jet Edge staff and administration to cut the ribbon on the St. Michael company’s 30th anniversary. (Provided by Sara Biren, 94 West Chamber)
St. Michael, Minnesota Mayor Jerry Zachman presents Jet Edge President Jude Lague and TC/American Monorail President Paul Lague with a resolution from the St. Michael City Council. (Photo courtesy I-94 West Chamber of Commerce).
Lague noted that Jet Edge’s success in the competitive waterjet industry would not have been possible without the support of its loyal customers, dedicated employees and industry friends, which includes NASCAR racing teams running with cut parts from Jet Edge nationwide, as well as local tool manufacturers in our own backyard.