Home Parts Production Systems Testing Services InfoSheets Who We Are Contact Us Who We Are Interlaken Technology Company has been an integral player in the metal forming and testing arena since 1980. We have Three Uniques, Five Core Values and a Seven-Step Proven Process. Add up all the numbers and it leads to a team of talented individuals, working with one goal in mind; to help bring your vision to reality. Click around this page to learn what defines our culture and meet the leadership team that is dedicated to your success. ITC’s Three Uniques Core Values 7-Step Proven Process The ITC Narrative Meet the Leadership Team The Three Uniques ITC’s Core Focus leads to the Three Uniques. The Core Focus is similar to a Mission Statement. It helps us stay true to the core and remain laser focused. Interlaken’s purpose and passion is “to get together and use innovation to figure out complex problems.” Our niche is providing complex metal forming solutions. So this leads to our Three Uniques: 1) We rely on partnerships and long term relationships. 2) We work with exclusive technology to form impossible shapes and achieve extreme part consistency. 3) “We’ll make it, or we’ll help you make it.” What does that third one really mean? That ITC is committed to your success. The best solution may be that we create the parts for you. It may be that we design and build a system allowing you to create the parts. Or maybe we make the parts until you’re ready for a system and full production. That’s what makes ITC unique. Core Values Quality Policy Interlaken Technology Company, LLC provides advanced metal forming and testing solutions and engineering services to our customers. We are committed to excellence in meeting or exceeding our customers’ requirements and continually improving all aspects of our business. 1) Solutioning: We are creative problem solvers. We are continually learning and improving ourselves and the business. We are detail oriented with a depth and quest for knowledge. 2) Integrity: We are accountable and reliable. We’ll do whatever is necessary to get the job done, with a “can do” attitude. We honor our personal and professional commitments. 3) Empowerment: We embrace and expect the following characteristics in ourselves and all stakeholders: a self-starter, enthusiastic and energetic, tenacious and competitive, driven to succeed. We are team players who understand and embrace shared success. 4) Collaboration: Working together with internal and external customers. Be it employees and suppliers of ITC or a first-time or long-time customer, we make the spirit of cooperation a priority. 5) Customer Centric: We create a positive consumer experience from inquiry to post-sale. We are committed to customer success, encourage customer innovation, exceed (internal/external) customer expectations in anticipating their needs, and empathize with the customer point of view. The 7-Step Proven Process ITC’s Proven Process is what guides us from concept to release-to-production, and ultimately the ongoing customer feedback and partnership. It’s what we do every time…because it works! The process applies to both part production and system design and build. Here’s how it flows… 1) Feasibility: First we’re going to evaluate your idea or concept to determine if the part or system fits into ITC core processes. In other words, is it in our area of expertise? 2) Conceptual Design: We now receive a print, model or process requirements from the customer. We verify the customer requirements, such as material type or pressures necessary. A proposed work flow is developed. A customer review leads to a conceptual solution. 3) Material Testing, FEA & Final Design: A design kickoff meeting is held. Part validation or machine design is underway. This includes material testing and FEA, if applicable. Tooling drawings and models are created. 4) Prototyping/Process Development: The design is released to purchasing. Material and/or tools and/or system components are received and integrated. The workflow is formalized. A process recipe is developed. Physical prototypes and/or process requirements are validated to design. 5) First Article/FAT: Preproduction validation is done with production material, tooling and processes. For a system, factory acceptance testing validates performance. 6) PPAP/Install: Parts and documentation are sent to the customer or the system is install at the customer site. 7) Customer Feedback: Interlaken surveys the customer to strive for continuous improvement. The ITC Narrative Interlaken Technology was born in 1980. ITC began by building transducers, load cells and controls. The company also did custom engineering. Within the first decade, ITC developed its first PC based control system and began to create its own system designs. By the end of the 1990’s, Interlaken was in full production of metal formability, friction, fatigue, and tensile testing systems. It’s servo presses were used in university, bio-medical, automotive, and aeronautical laboratories. In 2000, Interlaken designs and builds its first research hydroforming system. Production hydroformers quickly follow. In 2003, Robb Bass leaves a humidifier company in Eden Prairie to pursue hydroforming. His first major purchase for his new company, Water Works Manufacturing, is a 500 Ton hydroformer from Interlaken. As Robb’s business grows, Water Works acquires Cambridge Metals & Plastics in Cambridge, Minnesota and this is now the company headquarters. CMP is heavy into making parts for the power sports industry, with customers such as Polaris and Arctic Cat. In 2008, Interlaken introduces its first fully-automated, high-rate production hydroforming system. Can you see where this is leading? In 2012, Water Works acquires ITC. Parts manufacturer and systems manufacturer become one. This combined company was acquired by Nelson Global Products of Stoughton, Wisconsin in 2013, but Robb still had a vision. He acquired Interlaken from Nelson Global in 2015, and the original Water Works assets in 2017. It had come full circle. 14 years after he purchased a hydroforming press from Interlaken, ITC and Water Works are now one, in Chaska, Minnesota. Parts production, system design and construction, and now the hot metal gas forming technology of HEATform™, all reside under one roof. Meet the Leadership Team Robb Bass President, Visionary Robb is focused on developing advanced forming processes. He has more than 27 years working in manufacturing, including diverse areas such as engineering, operations, quality, and materials management. Robb has developed products and processes in the medical device, HVAC, robotics, plumbing, and power sports industries. He holds a Business Management degree from Bethel University, in Arden Hills, MN and is a US Navy veteran. Ron Bass Vice-President, Sales & Marketing Ron transformed from a consultative resource to a formal member of Interlaken, in late 2015. Previous to ITC, Ron spent over 34 years with a fortune 10 company, holding middle management positions including Sales & Marketing, Information Technology, Operations, Merger & Acquisitions, Process Architecture, Program and Project Mgt., College Hiring Programs, and brought a heavy emphasis related to Customer Experience over his tenure. He holds an advanced degree in Management Business Administration and has supported our country’s military and communities by serving on many veteran and other boards. Brian Nichols Chief Financial Officer Brian came to Water Works Manufacturing, LLC in 2007, then joined the Interlaken team when it was acquired by WWM in 2012. Prior to that, he served in financial management positions at several entrepreneurial oriented, manufacturing companies. Brian has been a key member of leadership teams responsible for performing turnarounds, executing strategic growth plans, and increasing enterprise value by ten to twenty times. Brian started his career in Big Four public accounting after receiving an accounting degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He has served on several non-profit boards. We rely on partnerships and long-term relationships. We work with exclusive technology to form impossible shapes and achieve extreme part consistency. We’ll make it, or we’ll help you make it. Industries Served: Automotive Aerospace Plumbing & HVAC Off-Road OEM Power Sports Medical Devices Steel Aluminum Oil & Gas Education Research Centers Memberships: Contact Us PHONE: +1 952 856 4210 8175 Century Blvd. Chaska, MN 55318 USA Veteran Owned Business Website by Zenternship