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Funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration

Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NorthwestTAAC)

Serving: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington

800‑667‑8087206‑622‑2730

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Commercial Products Manufacturer

111504

Prior to working with NWTAAC we did not have e-commerce capability. Our website now generates a large share of sales and we have an Amazon store.

FAMCO Aaron, McGee, President Meridian, ID

The TAAF Website Project was very successful. Both sales and margins have increased. This is mainly due to a transition from wholesale to consumer sales through the website.

Signature Plastics Bob Guenser, President Custer, WA

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

With the help of NorthwestTAAC, we were able to enhance web-based tools, increasing functionality, and also add completely new functions that were cost prohibitive without the funding. We are grateful for the help.

David Fenton, Director of Marketing Woodland Furniture Idaho Falls, ID

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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 TAA process went very smoothly from start to finish and it was not in any way an administrative headache due to the continued assistance of the Northwest TAAC staff.

Alan Smyth, President North Star Ice Equipment Co. Seattle, WA

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

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

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 (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

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

Partner News

GAO Report Released: Opportunities to Improve Federal Response and Recovery Efforts
Coronavirus Emergency Loan-Small Business Guide and Checklist–Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 GUIDANCE & RESOURCES FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM MANUFACTURERS

The Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NorthwestTAAC) administers the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program for the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA). NorthwestTAAC is part of a national network of 11 independent non-profit organizations and universities that manage the TAAF program.

Partner Events

Vancouver, WA: Aerospace Business Resources Webinar. July 28th, 2020, 11:00-11:45 PDT.
Vancouver, WA: WEDA Onward & Upward: Economic Recovery Resources Forum-July 14 – July 15, 2020
Sequim, WA: Olympic Peninsula Small Business Requirements & Resources Workshop – March 19, 2020

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