1976–2016
keepin' it groovy for 40 years
Your patronage has brought us 40-years into the future. We thank you for this support, and invite you to boogie back in time with us as we revisit some of the best times from our past. We're not all psyched out about seeing our retro fab and funky looks, but we're sure going to have fun with it. So scroll on down and check out some of our far out photos from our past, reminding us of the fun — as well as the hard work — we’ve had along the way.
it all started with $500
John Coe started COE Press Equipment in 1976 with $500, selling rebuilds, used equipment, accessories and parts to the metal stamping industry out of his parent’s home in Troy, Mich. When a customer asked for a new 60-in. double air feed line with a 7-roll straightener and a 20,000-lb. reel, John took the opportunity and hired two employees to help on the project. This line established COE as a provider of a higher quality machine with innovative features. By 1978, a 2,000 sq. ft. building was rented on South Street in Rochester with another 2000-sq. ft. building added a year later.
guess who
Can you guess who these characters are? At COE we have extremely low turn-over with many employees having decades of experience with us. This is fantastic in terms of our ability to consistently provide a great experience for our customers, but it does tend to leave evidence of old hair styles (or having hair at all) and extra funky choices in clothing. Enjoy.
time to play
At COE we work hard and play HARDER. Here's a collection of photos from past office parties, road trips and our first of many Family Picnics.