Forest City Gear Celebrates Kent Blatchford’s 25th Anniversary

September 17, 2026

Forest City Gear is proud to recognize Kent Blatchford for 25 years of dedication, growth, and service to the company.

Blatchford joined Forest City Gear in 2001 while still in high school through the Tech Prep program, beginning his career in deburring before moving into hobbing. He graduated from the Rock River Valley Tooling and Machining Association’s (RRVTMA) apprenticeship program in 2004 and has continued to grow alongside Forest City Gear ever since.

Kent Blatchford, 3rd Shift Manager, professional headshot

Throughout his 25 years with FCG, Blatchford has gained experience in hobbing, inspection, process engineering, and leadership, taking on new challenges wherever he has been needed. Today, he serves as Hobbing Supervisor. His commitment to continued growth also led him to earn his bachelor’s degree in business.

Affable, hardworking, patient, kind, and fiercely loyal, Blatchford has proven time and again that he can be counted on to step up, take ownership, and put the greater good of the team and company first.

“Kent’s career at Forest City Gear is a remarkable example of what dedication, hard work, and a willingness to take on new challenges can accomplish,” says Kika Young, President at Forest City Gear. “Kent is someone we can always count on to take ownership and put the needs of the team ahead of himself. His commitment to bettering himself, including earning his bachelor’s degree in business, speaks volumes about his character and work ethic. We’re incredibly fortunate to have had Kent as part of FCG for 25 years, and the same qualities that make him such a valued colleague are evident in the wonderful husband and father he is outside of work. Cheers to many more years together.”

Forest City Gear is incredibly fortunate to have had Blatchford’s 25 years of commitment to Excellence Without Exception and congratulates him on this well-earned milestone.

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