OMAX Corporation, a leading U.S.-based total solutions provider of abrasive waterjet machining technology, announced Monday the largest expansion of its campus since opening the Kent facility in 1999.

The project will add a new 22,000-square-foot building that will extend OMAX's training, research and development and engineering efforts.

OMOX designs, manufactures, markets and supports its abrasive waterjet machines and accessories from its manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters in Kent, 21409 72nd Ave. S.

The company has experienced significant growth over the past several years, making the expansion necessary, company officials said. In fact, OMAX Corporation was recently named, for the second time, to Inc. Magazine's 500|5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America for achieving 21 percent business growth between 2008 and 2011.

According to Dr. John Cheung, CEO of OMAX Corporation, such growth can be attributed in part to the company's 2009 launch of its cost-effective MAXIE JetCutting Center Series, which makes abrasive waterjet technology more accessible. Another key growth contributor is the OMAX team's commitment to continuously developing and supporting new and improved technologies that meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of manufacturers worldwide, Cheung said.

The building expansion allows for a new dedicated training space, including a lab area, where OMAX sales representatives, distributors and end-users can gain the understanding and retention of company products.

The expansion also will increase the company's research and development and engineering capacities, allowing for better support of existing solutions and faster, more efficient development of new machines and accessories.

The company plans to complete the building expansion this month, at which point the entire OMAX campus in Kent will encompass 130,000 square feet of space spread across three buildings.

Furthermore, OMAX Corporation recently enhanced its global distribution and support network and overhauled its corporate website, www.omax.com, to improve communications with its international customers.

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