In 2026, COE Press Equipment is celebrating 50 years in business. What started in 1976 with John Coe working out of his parents’ garage has grown into a family-owned manufacturer supporting metalworking companies throughout North America and beyond.
But the story of COE is about more than how long the company has been in business. It is about showing up for customers, employees and the manufacturing industry through five decades of change.
A Company Built on Responsibility
Before starting COE, John worked for another feed line equipment manufacturer. His experiences there helped shape the kind of company he wanted to build. When he founded COE, he committed to representing equipment honestly, meeting the expectations established with customers and taking responsibility when something went wrong. That principle has influenced decisions throughout the company’s history.
One example came when COE discovered that a reel mandrel failure had been caused by welding material that was incompatible with the mandrel’s base metal. Rather than simply repairing the failed machine and moving on, John wanted to know whether the same issue could exist elsewhere. COE identified every reel containing a mandrel manufactured using the same welding process, contacted the affected customers and replaced the mandrels.
It was an expensive decision, but it reflected a standard that had been part of COE from the beginning: if you discover a problem, you take responsibility for it.
50 Years of Showing Up
That history is why COE is celebrating its anniversary under the theme “50 Years of Showing Up.” The phrase reflects a commitment to standing behind the equipment we build, supporting machines after they leave our facility and continuing to help customers as their production needs change.
Over the past five decades, COE has expanded its equipment, engineering and service capabilities while adapting to new materials, manufacturing processes and technologies. The systems may be more advanced today than they were in 1976, but the expectation remains the same: provide equipment honestly, support it in the field and be there when customers need help.
Growing With the Industry
COE has grown from a small garage-based operation into a manufacturer of individual coil processing machines and complete systems for manufacturers across a wide range of industries. Along the way, the company has continued to evolve as customers have demanded higher speeds, tighter tolerances, more automation and the ability to process increasingly advanced materials.
That growth has also meant expanding the company’s ability to support equipment throughout its life. From applications and engineering through installation, service and replacement parts, COE continues to build the capabilities needed to support customers long after a machine is delivered.
Showing Up for Our People
The 50th anniversary is also a celebration of the people behind COE. Employees across engineering, manufacturing, sales, service and support have helped build the company over generations, including team members who have spent more than 30 years with the organization.
COE remains family-owned, with founder John Coe continuing to serve as CEO. As the next generation of the Coe family assumes greater leadership responsibilities, the company continues to recognize that its decisions affect more than the business itself. They affect employees, their families and the customers who depend on COE equipment every day.
Celebrating 50 Years at FABTECH 2026
COE will commemorate its 50th anniversary during FABTECH 2026 in Las Vegas with customers, employees, partners and friends from across the industry.
A special 50th Anniversary Reception will be held Thursday, October 22, the second day of the show. FABTECH attendees are invited to meet John Coe, members of the Coe family and longtime COE employees who have helped shape the company throughout its history.
The reception will be an opportunity to celebrate the people and relationships behind COE’s first 50 years while looking ahead to the next chapter.
Thank You for 50 Years
Reaching 50 years would not have been possible without the customers who trusted COE with their equipment, the employees who built and supported it, and the partners who helped the company grow along the way.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to keep showing up for the past 50 years.
