Client Success

Consistent outcomes for clients in the TAAF program are company survival, strong sales increases, employment increases, and productivity increases. Below are summaries of client performance for a recent period (2012 to 2016) for NWTAAC and for each state in the service region.

Northwest Region Map — NW

Alaska State Map — Alaska

Idaho State Map — Idaho

Oregon State Map — Oregon

Washington State Map — Washington

Individual Client Case Studies

While aggregate results for companies in the TAAF program are impressive, results vary among individual companies. The following case studies present challenges, program actions, and outcomes for ALL companies that fully employed the TAAF program in the NWTAAC region between 2012 and 2016. (Companies are not identified, and figures are only for comparative percentages.) Bear in mind that in all cases, the companies experienced a decline in sales and employment prior to entering the program.

Commercial Products Manufacturer

Commodity Producer

Consumer Products Manufacturer

Contract Manufacturer

Services Provider

We are proud of the fact that all of the parts that we use in our appliances are made by American workers, and we feel that our standards are really high. NorthwestTAAC is helping us compete in our market and they are very understanding of our circumstances. Communication with them has been seamless.

Bob Shingler, President Evo, Inc. Beaverton, OR

The NorthwestTAAC has been an integral part of our recovery process after the downturn in 2008. Using the funds and expertise of their staff, we were able to successfully launch our new product line MAK Grills. Their commitment to helping business stay in America and employ American workers is inspiring and absolutely crucial to our economy. We are happy to report record growth in 2010, have hired an additional 20 employees and are focusing on a bright future.

Bob Tucker, President Mak Metals, Inc. Dallas, OR

Because of these projects, we expect to launch our pet product in January, three months ahead of schedule. Also, now we only cut one mold, rather than two, allowing us to spend approximately $15,000 in other investments that will also help increase sales.

Spencer Williams, President West Paw Design Bozeman, Montana

NorthwestTAAC was very helpful, offering financial assistance to obtain a new professional looking website and lean manufacturing techniques. Our company was able to improve our professional image and our manufacturing efficiencies with the help from NorthwestTAAC. Thank you NorthwestTAAC.

Patrick F. Miller, President/CEO PFM Manufacturing Townsend, MT

Online marketing has brought so much change to the industry. TAAF funding was pretty important for us, we don’t know how we would have done it otherwise. The Program made is possible for us to keep up with changes in the marketplace and kept us viable.

Green Gear Cycling Inc. (Bike Friday) Hanna Scholz Eugene, OR

“I would highly recommend other companies consider applying for project funding through the TAAF program,” says Della, “NWTAAC’s oversight and guidance was very helpful, and as a result, we have made significant improvements to our companies’ marketability that we may not have done without their help.”

Della and Mark Ehlke Felco, LLC

The (TAAF) program was everything I hoped it would be. The business is definitely in a better place than it otherwise would have been. Having a period of years in which to work in the program helped me to be more successful and took a lot of the financial burden away.

Pride of Bristol Bay Matt Luck, Business Owner Bristol Bay, AK

Working with NorthwestTAAC has been a pleasure. They really want to help our business grow. We have been able to make important improvements to our website that we could not have done at the time otherwise. This has helped our sales grow this last year and we look forward to the completion of our current projects, helping sales grow even more this year.

Thank you for including us!

Hanna Scholz, General Manager Green Gear Cycling Inc. (Bike Friday)

The (NWTAAC) plan process was great. While we do annual reviews and internal monitoring the outside perspective was very helpful and the plan remains valid even now 5 years later. The projects were all the more effective for their coordination within an overall plan.

Bodypoint, Inc. Susan Kost, Director of Business Operations Seattle, WA

Thanks to the valuable assistance provided by NorthwestTAAC, Rocky Mountain Log Homes and our affiliates have been able to develop and implement new and effective advertising, increase our international footprint, and expand our domestic market in spite of difficult economic conditions.

Craig Rostad, Chief Financial Officer Rocky Mountain Log Homes / Pioneer Log Homes / Whisper Creek Log Homes

Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC), a trade and marketing association representing crab harvesters in the Bering Sea, needed to improve their outreach efforts to more effectively promote the value of Alaskan crab. Not only did we need better marketing materials for our customers, but we also needed an improved communications system for our members, Bering Sea crab fishermen. With funding provided by NorthwestTAAC we were able to redesign our website and logo, create market specific materials and design a unique Weekly Newsletter that reaches over 250 members. The support and guidance provided by NorthwestTAAC staff throughout the entire funding process was amazing. Thank you.

Mark Gleason, Executive Director ABSC

Since our company applied for program funding, sales have increased by $3 million and net profit is up 5%. All jobs lost to overseas competition have been regained and strategies developed through the program leave us well positioned for the next five years.

Nancy White, President Custom Interface, Inc. Bingen, WA

The assistance provided by the NorthwestTAAC has proven to be a valuable asset in our efforts to expand into new geographic markets. We’ve been able to fast-track upgrades to corporate branding and prepare the ground for product development geared toward export sales. We really appreciate the help from everyone at NorthwestTAAC, thank you!

Paul Humphreys, President Quantum Windows & Doors, Inc. Everett, WA

We expect to increase our sales of smoked and fresh frozen seafood. With the NorthwestTAAC assistance we have been able to broaden the scope of our product lines and marketing, and we are seeing annual sales increases of 10-20% in a number of our products.

Eric Norman, General Manager Taku Fisheries / Smokeries Juneau, AK

As you are well aware, this industry has been brutalized by plummeting prices. This has meant mill curtailments and closures across the West and into Canada. While this is going on, we are adding a new machine center for processing small logs and adding employees. Your grant is part of the reason we are still a viable industry player and will continue to be for the foreseeable future.

Loren Rose, Comptroller Pyramid Mountain Lumber Seeley Lake, MT