Some of you may remember our “Magic Dorito” we did for Frito-Lay last summer? Well that client called again with yet another interesting project. Since Doritos will be doing its “Crash the Super Bowl” promotion again this year they wanted to have some custom awards made for the contest winners. They asked if we could make a scale model of the illustrations depicted on their website. After reviewing all the info we came up with these; miniature mountains with real working “TVs” perched on top. The TVs are actually small touch screen MP4 players that are cable of playing videos, pictures and music. The client will be uploading photos and video clips of the contestants throughout the super bowl weekend; attending parties etc and the game itself on Sunday. Then each winner will go home with one of these sculptures as a keepsake of the weekend and the big game!!
Copy this link into your browser to see more photos of these sculptures being built!
http://picasaweb.google.com/ForwardFabrication/CTSB#

The Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art (IMOCA) has asked ForwardFab to design an installation for their current exhibit! We were so honored we chose to feature our newest line of outdoor products — Growing Metals. Growing Metals’ lead designer, Staci DeBolt, has headed up the design of both the installation space and the 2 limited edition pieces being displayed. Be sure to check them out exclusively at the IMOCA museum and on the web @ www.growingmetals.com.

Here are some picture of John S. and Staci D. with friends and supporters at last month’s grand opening.

Well we made it to Australia, and have just spent 2 days meeting with the team at Azzura Marine. Azzura will be handling all aspects of the construction on the Marten 67 sailboat. We just wanted to post some pictures of the boat as it is now so that you can continue to monitor the progress as we move forward. More photos and details to come when we return,

We have made the pledge to be as green as we can be! We are recycling all our scrap metal, all our scrap paper and shipping supplies, our waste chemicals, paint etc. We have switched to all CFL lighting throughout the facility and installed programmable thermostats. We have upgraded to more fuel efficient shop vehicles, a V-6 delivery van and a propane powered fork truck. As small business it is a reality that we will be contributors to landfill waste, carbon footprints etc. But we also feel that every small step helps. Some day we dream of our big, new, ultra-energy-efficient shop, but for now we’ll just keep making our current home as environmentally responsible as possible.

Forward Fabrication has signed a contract with Parallel Design Partnership of New York City, NY. Forwardfab will be working with Parallel’s principal designer Ali Tayar on their newest project; a 67’ sailboat being built in NSW Australia.

John Slater, President Forward Fabrication -
“We are very excited to be working with Ali on this project. We will be helping design and fabricate the Carbon Fiber interior parts for this very advanced vessel. We look forward to taking part of this historic build, as this is the first all carbon fiber, 67’ sailboat ever constructed. We will be working closely with Parallel design and the ship builders in Australia.”

Stay tuned for more blog entries on this project as it progresses

Forward Fabrication has spent the first part of 2008 designing and building products for our new line of outdoor landscape items. The new line will be named “Growing Metals” and will feature modern designs constructed in hot rolled steel.
John Slater -" Having been involved with both modern design and landscape design over the last 4 years, we have seen a major void in the market for those wanting items for a modern environment. If you have a modern home and want your outdoor living space to match, your options are limited. You’ll find the standard faux stone planter or copper fire bowl, but nothing with truly contemporary lines. Our goal was to design using simple shapes, and then use limited edition prints to accentuate. The first series is titled “Damascus” and features artist applied, lacquered patterns.”
Growing metals will have its own website launching this fall which handle all aspects including online sales. Please visit www.growingmetals.com for more details.

Well, saying something out loud means you will be forced to follow through right? As many of you know forwardfab spends its time spread out amongst three different buildings. This was a creative (cheap) way for us to get on our feet as a fledgling business; but now it is becoming a burden. Our plans include a new facility here on the NE side of Indianapolis. The building will be large enough to combine the offices, fabrication dept and Composites – paint dept all under one roof. Ideally this would be done in ’08 but don’t hold your breath. Having been through more than one construction project in our time we would love to be in by spring ’09. Stay tuned for updates!

Well, hundreds of man hours and a many gallons of paint later the flower is ready to be planted.

The flower of life is almost finished! The fabrication stages are complete and parts are now moving through the paint dept. The two bottom sections were completed today and are loaded, ready for their trip to the Indiana University Cancer Center.

Eric Scheumann will be the newest member of the forwardfab team. Eric has been a longtime friend and great customer. He has helped us with some of our more recent projects on the west coast of the United States. It became obvious that having a member of our team close to those projects was imperative; so Eric was brought on board.
John Slater – “Eric’s roll will be very important to the growth of forwardfab. As we continue to expand and handle more projects outside of the Midwest we will need someone with his experience and insight."
Mr. Scheumann has worn many hats. He is a full time firefighter – EMT with the Las Vegas Fire Dept., a private pilot and a custom home builder. We are glad to gain his positive attitude and people skills.