Factories
Labs
Million Sq. Ft.
Million Products/Yr
The Power of Collaboration
We are a highly experienced team of industry leaders specializing in designing, sourcing, and manufacturing top-tier products. Our expertise spans various sectors such as medical, consumer, EV, robotics, outdoor, sports, and technical gear. We provide innovative case and cover solutions by collaborating closely with our clients. Leveraging our diverse development team and state-of-the-art materials and automation, we craft the perfect solution for your product. “Protect your brand, Protect your Product“
-
Experienced Design Team
-
Best in Class Manufacturing
-
Optimized Supply Chain
-
Softgoods / Cut & Sew
-
EVA / Thermoplastic/ Injection Molding
-
Mixed Media Manufacturing
-
OEM Carry Case Solutions
-
Factory Direct Value Pricing
Services
Design & Develop
- Design Thinking Approach
- User Research
- Concept Development and Iteration:
- Industrial Design
- Prototyping and Testing
- Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Packaging and Branding Design
- Post-Launch Support
- Continuous Process Improvement
Sourcing
- Supplier Identification and Qualification
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Cost Analysis and Negotiation
- Supply Chain Diversification
- Quality Assurance and Control
- Ethical Sourcing and Compliance
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Risk Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Market Research and Trend Analysis
Manufacturer
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Certifications
- Innovative Design
- Sustainable Practices
- Strict Quality Control
- Wide Material Selection
- Advanced Production Techniques
- Flexible Production Capacity
- Competitive Pricing
- Compliance to Standards
- Reliable Diverse Supply Chain
Prototyping
Softgoods Prototypes
- Functional Cut and Sew
- EVA foam molding
- Thermoforming
- 3D Print assembled sewn into softgoods
- Leather
- Silicon
- USA and Asia sample locations
Project Management
- Clear Project Goals and Objectives
- Comprehensive Project Planning
- Stakeholder Management
- Resource Allocation and Management
- Risk Management, Alternate factory sites
- Effective Overseas and US Team Collaboration
- Task and Timeline Management
- Quality Assurance
- Change Management
- Post-Launch Evaluation and Lessons Learned
Consulting
- Diversification Support (Out of China to alternate Asia locations)
- Design and Engineering Support
- Risk Mitigation
- Regulatory and supply chain vulnerabilities
- Competitive Counter Quoting
- Research and Development
- Specification Development
- Packaging Solutions
- Factory Evaluation
- Global Clientele Support
- Supply Chain Optimization
Strategic Partners
Logistics / E-Commerce
- Logistics
- Fulfillment – Pick/Pack/Ship
- Retail or bulk pack
- Consumer direct, warehouse replenishment
- Buy / Sell Process
- Warehousing
- Inventory Management
Reverse Logistics
- Centralized returns
- Triage and disposition
- Advance Exchange Swap
- Warranty claim management
- Replacement stock management
Repair & Refurbishment
- Repair / Refurbish
- Whole Unit Repair & Return
- Consumer Direct/Bulk
- Component Level Repair
- Complete Remanufacturing
- Parts Reclamation
- Parts Refurbishment
Team
Carsten Fitzner
CEO
carsten@fwdgp.com
30+ years’ experience in leading new product development, sales growth, business development and client relationship management in Medical and Consumer ,across North America, Asia, and Europe.
Mark Philips
COO
mark@fwdgp.com
30+ years of direct international sourcing for companies as a director of global sourcing for THULE and Case Logic. Expertise in product development and design, factory production oversight along with extensive first-hand QA/QC expertise.
Stefan Martin
Director of Design
15+ years of experience, a holistic approach to design from concept to production. Expert in ideation, rendering, 3D modeling/ CAD, prototyping of softgoods and EVA molded foams.
Rachel Deng
Creative Director
18 years of experience in Silicon Valley and proven track record of success designing and implementing for clients across different industries, platforms, and technologies.
Mike Edmunds
Engineering manager MS Mechanical, Engineering
MS in Mechanical Engineering since 2001 , expert in 3D design The ability to create Rapid Design concepts in Consumer Electronics, Bioscience, Government Defense, and Medical greatly improves speed to market.
Peter Julber
Technical Engineer, Softgoods Expert, Sample Lab
30 years in the sewn products industry, expertise and ability to develop softgoods protypes quickly. Master in technical sewing of softgoods needs. Having over 5,000 items repaired or created solutions.
Todd Austin
Managing Director
30+ years of experience in leading early stage companies to define and implement go to market product strategies and scalable operations. Extensive hands on experience in bringing new products to market while leveraging a global supply chain. Broad product development background, launching products in several categories: high volume consumer products – Apple/MacBook, medical – Cepheid, healthcare – BAM/UDP Labs.
Alex Jorgeson
Packaging Engineer
Twenty-year professional with dynamic experiences as a Packaging Engineer and Procurement Specialist in medical device development and high-volume consumer electronics. MS in Project Management Medical Device Packaging and Consumer packaging
Travis Barkel
Board President
Michigan Association of Healthcare Resource & Materials Management international healthcare supply chain leader and innovator with a passion for developing people and successful, lean processes. Skilled client service and supply chain expertise capable of guiding client and supplier relationships to efficiency, profitability, and satisfaction for a best-in-class outcome.
History
Locations
Palo Alto, California, United States
California | Colorado | Texas | Michigan | Florida
Germany | Indonesia | India | China | Vietnam | Cambodia
Contact Us
With over 30 years of experience, our team can support your new or existing , eva molded foam, injection molding, cut and sew soft goods case challenges to Protect your product and Protect Your brand.
Our Partners
FDA Compliance & Usability Engineering Services for Medical Product
For companies ready to shift or grow, ronin is the right minds in the room when you need them.
Advanced Consulting Partner of Amazon Web Services, and Gold Partner of Microsoft
Logistics, Box Design, Tooling Development, Manufacturing, Repair/Refurbishment, Kitting , E-Commerce and Distribution
FAQ
Engineered softgoods
What are Engineered and Technical softgoods?
Softgoods refer to products primarily made from soft, flexible materials, offering benefits in ergonomics, cushioning, durability, and aesthetics. Examples include backpacks, sporting equipment, health monitoring devices, and safety gear, among others. These are made from materials like special fabrics, molded EVA foams, rubber, elastomers, and gels, differing from products made of plastics, metal, or composites.
In many instances, softgoods integrate hard components or electronics, such as sensors, displays, and controls, exemplified by the Oculus. Their construction involves various techniques like industrial sewing, ultrasonic or RF welding, computer-controlled knitting or weaving, injection and compression molding, mechanical fastening, and bonding.
The design process of soft goods includes unique considerations. Material selection, seam allowances, pattern design, and component assembly play key roles. For instance, in compression molded foam parts, as seen in a Bose headset case or barcode scanner holster, details like fabric lamination and integration into a sewn assembly must be considered.
Placement Text
What are Engineered and Technical softgoods?
Softgoods refer to products primarily made from soft, flexible materials, offering benefits in ergonomics, cushioning, durability, and aesthetics. Examples include backpacks, sporting equipment, health monitoring devices, and safety gear, among others. These are made from materials like special fabrics, molded EVA foams, rubber, elastomers, and gels, differing from products made of plastics, metal, or composites.
In many instances, softgoods integrate hard components or electronics, such as sensors, displays, and controls, exemplified by the Oculus. Their construction involves various techniques like industrial sewing, ultrasonic or RF welding, computer-controlled knitting or weaving, injection and compression molding, mechanical fastening, and bonding.
The design process of soft goods includes unique considerations. Material selection, seam allowances, pattern design, and component assembly play key roles. For instance, in compression molded foam parts, as seen in a Bose headset case or barcode scanner holster, details like fabric lamination and integration into a sewn assembly must be considered.
Copyright © 2023, Forward Global Partners.