FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 20, 2009
CONTACT: Jennifer Monaghan, 609-777-0503, jennifer.monaghan@oeg.state.nj.us

OFFICIALS LAUD GROWTH OF HOMEGROWN ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURER
Crestron Celebrates Grand Opening of Customer Experience Center

ROCKLEIGH, N.J. – State and local officials today applauded the continued growth of Crestron Electronics, Inc. at the grand opening of the company’s state-of-the-art Customer Experience Center. More than 550 guests, company executives, customers and Crestron authorized dealers were on hand at the company’s world headquarters to celebrate the milestone.

“From its humble beginnings some 40 years ago to its stronghold in today’s global electronics marketplace, Crestron represents a true New Jersey success story founded on innovation and cutting-edge technology,” said Jerry Zaro, Chief of Governor Corzine’s Office of Economic Growth. “It is encouraging that industry leaders such as Crestron continue to recognize New Jersey’s strategic advantages and business-friendly environment, and remain committed to growing their businesses here.”

Crestron, a vertically integrated and homegrown manufacturer headquartered in Rockleigh Borough, has been the global leader in commercial and residential control and automation solutions for 40 years. The company has experienced steady double-digit growth for the last two decades and currently employs 1,100 people across the state.

“During these hard economic times Crestron has actually been hiring engineers and production workers,” said Crestron Founder and President George Feldstein. “We’ve continued to grow because we believe in America and we’re optimistic about the economy.”

Today’s event marked the official opening of Crestron’s new 8,000-square-foot Customer Experience Center, which features an atrium-style grand salon, cutting-edge multimedia presentation room, digital boardroom, Theo Kalomirakis Home Theater and an expansive interactive design studio that displays more than 500 Crestron products. The suite will provide integrators, architects and designers with a space to introduce clients to Crestron, meet with executives, collaborate with system designers and demonstrate the company’s latest state-of-the-art technology.
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Creston, AddOne

Creston is a privately held company that does all of its manufacturing and development in six Bergen County facilities. The company continues to grow and expand in New Jersey, and in the last two years has hired 149 additional engineers. To date, all of Crestron’s growth has been self-financed.

In 2008 and 2009, Crestron received Workforce Development Training Grants from the New Jersey Department of Labor for $257,600 and $334,436, respectively. Also in 2009, Crestron was a recipient of the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s NJ Smart Workplaces Gold Award.

“Under Governor Corzine’s leadership, New Jersey has provided strong support to companies like Crestron Electronics when they invest in upgrading the skills and competencies of their workers,” said Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow. “Matching training grants like those provided to Crestron have helped companies grow by increasing the skills and productivity of their workers.”

Crestron today also opened its doors for an inside look at the company’s rarely seen 100,000-square-foot Research Center, where more than 350 engineers are developing the products and technologies of tomorrow; the 150,000-square-foot manufacturing plant; the 50,000 square foot pre-production facility; and the 50,000 square foot worldwide distribution center.

Crestron is the world's leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, innovating technology and reinventing the way people live and work. Including its world headquarters in Rockleigh, the company has a total of 2,500 employees across the globe with sales and support offices throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Australia.

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from left to right: Fred Bargetzi-Crestron Vice President of Technology, Randy Klein-Crestron Executive Vice President, Nicholas Langella-Mayor of Rockleigh, NJ, George Feldstein-Crestron Founder and President, Theo Kalomirakis-Theo Kalomirakis Theaters, Jerold L. Zaro-Chief, Governor's Office of Economic Growth, David Socolow-Commissioner, NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Dan Feldstein-Crestron Vice President of Operations