Small Manufacturers Key to Idaho Job Growth

 TechHelp & FAMCO Comment on President’s Jobs Speech

Highlight the importance of manufacturing jobs to support economic growth in Idaho

Boise – Sept. 8, 2011 – President Barack Obama will address the nation tonight to unveil his proposed jobs plan, which is expected to outline a variety of measures in both the public and private sectors to help stimulate job creation and economic growth.

TechHelp, Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Center, appreciates the strong, bi-partisan assistance the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program has received from the Administration and Congress is calling on both to continue their support by making America’s small manufacturers a critical component of any jobs plan. “American manufacturers can compete and win. Our country needs a jobs plan that will help small manufacturers create jobs and enhance our global competitiveness through the investment in small-to-midsized companies,” said TechHelp Executive Director, Steve Hatten.

Despite a weakening economic landscape, the U.S. MEP program, funded by the Department of Commerce, helped companies create 72,075 jobs in 2009 alone.

“The current job scene in America is discouraging, but manufacturing has the potential for significant growth,” Hatten commented. “However, progress has slowed and small manufacturers in particular face many challenges. If policymakers tout that small business is the economic cornerstone to U.S. growth, then more should be done to help small manufacturers succeed.”

TechHelp specialists around the state provide information, training, technical and professional assistance that helps Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors strengthen their global competitiveness. In 2010 TechHelp provided services that helped 131 Idaho companies create or retain 261 jobs, produce $21 million in new sales, reduce costs by $7.6 million and invest $7.2 million in productivity improvements.

FAMCO, a producer of ventilation products in Meridian, is just one example of an Idaho company that has called on TechHelp to assist with product and process improvements that helped improve competitiveness.

“We believe it’s important that manufacturers have access to tools that can enable us to compete and grow local jobs,” said Marty Artis, President of FAMCO. “The services TechHelp provides are invaluable to a company of our size, with hands on technical assistance in areas such as process optimization, quality improvement, safety, product development and workforce development.”

About TechHelp – Established in 1996, TechHelp is a catalyst for strengthening Idaho manufacturing – accelerating its ongoing transformation into a more efficient and powerful engine of innovation driving economic growth and job creation. TechHelp specialists help Idaho manufacturers, processors and inventors strengthen their global competitiveness through continuous product and process innovation. TechHelp is a partnership of Idaho’s three state universities and an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership. It is also Idaho’s Economic Development Administration University Center, targeting economically distressed areas of Idaho.

About FAMCO – Established in 1989, Fresh Air Manufacturing Company (FAMCO), headquartered in Meridian Idaho, is one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest manufacturers of sheet metal and plastic, air ventilation products.

On the Loose in Belarus!

On the Loose in Belarus!

Greetings from Belarus.  I am in a town of 300,000 near the border of Russia and Ukraine in SE Belarus.  I am very close to the town of Chernobyl, which had the nuclear meltdown.  Great people here and food is good.

They are harvesting potatoes here, so I feel at home.  They also have sugar beets.  One of my hosts has worked in Lean Manufacturing in a Ford assembly plant in Minsk, the capital.  Am going easy on the Wodka but enjoying some native cuisine.

Today and tomorrow I am teaching a HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points) Workshop for 60 food inspectors, mostly veterinarians.  Will get some pictures soon and will continue to report from Belarus!

Best Regards, Jeff Kronenberg, Food Processing Specialist
University of Idaho - Extension School of Food Science and TechHelp

Tell Your Export Story in YouTube and Win Prizes

SBA is teaming up with Visa to ask small business owners: “Where will your next customer come from?”

To recognize successful exporters and get the word out about how the  government (and other organizations) can help, SBA is sponsoring the YouTube Export Video Contest.  The contest, presented in partnership with the National Export Initiative and Export.gov, will award monetary prizes to five successful small business exporters representing a variety of industries.

American small businesses looking to expand are going global. There are a number of advantages to exporting: reaching new customers, increasing sales and profits, and becoming less dependent on domestic demand, to name several. In fact, over two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is based outside the U.S., where the vast majority of consumers reside. The U.S. government stands ready to help your small business get started in exporting, with an array of programs, tools and resources.

SBA wants to hear your exporting story in a short, original video submitted to YouTube.

Winners will be given cash prizes, an expenses-paid trip to be honored at the National District Export Council Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 2-5, 2011, and $1,000 towards a Commerce Department Gold Key service, or various other trade-related events.

U.S. small businesses that have made at least one exporting transaction are elgible.

To enter, submit your video starting August 1, 2011 through September 3, 2011 tohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyqVdV_6Hyg , and tell SBA & Visa where your next customer will come from?

Please see full Contest Rules before submitting your video.

There are a variety of resources available to Idaho exporters:

• The Idaho District Export Council (DEC) seeks to increase exports through an extensive network of public and private resources. Providing free consultations, volunteer members include Micron, FedEx, MPC Computers, DHL, Simplot, PKG, SpecTec, U.S. Bank, Zions Bank and more.  DEC members are experienced pros who have extensive experience and SUCCESS with exporting. The DEC also hosts Idaho’s annual World Trade Day in early May and Export Excellence in the Fall.
  Contact: Jason Prince, DEC Chairman & Associate at Stoel Rives LLP
  Phone: 208.387.4288
  E-mail: jeprince@stoel.com
• The Idaho State Department of Agriculture can help with education, trade leads, trade offices, trade shows, buying missions, trade missions and trade policy.
  Contact: Laura M. Johnson, Marketing Section Manager
  Phone: (208) 332-8533
  Email: ljohnson@agri.idaho.gov
• Idaho International Business Division is a state organization that identifies prospects for Idaho products in key international markets and helps Idaho companies capitalize on these opportunities.
  Contact: Damien Bard , Division Administrator
  Email: damien.bard@trade.idaho.gov
  Phone: (208) 334-2650 ext. 2116
• The U.S. Commercial Service Boise is part of a national network dedicated to helping small-to-medium sized businesses realize their export potential. International Trade Specialists help you identify and evaluate international partners, navigate international documentation challenges, create market entry strategiesand assist with other export related guidance.
  Contact: Amy Benson, USEAC Director
  Phone: (208) 364-7791
  Email:  Amy.Benson@trade.gov
• TechHelp is Idaho’s Manufacturing Extension Partner and is an affiliate of the Idaho District Export Council.  TechHelp can help Idaho exporters meet product quality standards (ISO & CE Mark), food safety standards (GFSI Schemes) and packaging requirements. TechHelp’s team of university-based experts can also address product design and production issues related to exporting.
  Contact: Bill Mullane, Marketing & Growth Services
  Phone: (208) 426-3767
  Email: williammullane@boisestate.edu

Up to $165M Available for Solving Cleaning Products Innovation Challenges

As Idaho’s affiliate of the National Manufacturing Extension Partnership, TechHelp regularly receives product requests generated at the National Innovation Marketplace (http://www.usainnovation.org ). The latest request is from a large international company looking for cleaning product solutions.

If you know of a company that has ability or technology in cleaning products, please let them know about this request. They could earn up to $165M by solving a large international company’s innovation challenges.  For more information, check out Reckitt Benckiser‘s Innovation Buying Requests on the USA National Innovation Marketplace:

1. Need ideas for a household cleaner that cleans / removes the toughest stains Solution Value:  $10M to $30M
2. Need ideas for a better way to remove allergens from carpets Solution Value:  $10M to $30M
3. Need ideas for a better way to remove and prevent bacteria in showers / toilets Solution Value:  Up to $30M
4. Need a highly effective household germ killer cleaner that is safe for uses around the family Solution Value:  $1M to $10M
5. Would like a product that has the efficacy of bleach without the smell Solution Value:  $1M to $10M
6. Need a lower cost Lysol cleaning wipe Solution Value:  $1M to $10M
7. Need a cleaning wipe with better efficacy Solution Value:  Up to $10M
8. For liquid hand soap, we need a way to accomplish both germ kill and depositing fragrance Solution Value:  Up to $15M
9. Looking for a way to signal to consumers that their household cleaner is working Solution Value:  Up to $20M

Be sure to respond soon – these Innovation Buying Requests expire 7/31/2011!

Idaho’s Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese – Truffle & Salt Cheddar Featured on iGourmet

American Cheese Society Award-winner Ballard Family Dairy & Cheese of Gooding, Idaho partnered with NASFT SOFI Gold Winner Ritrovo Truffle & Salt to make an artisan Truffle & Salt Cheddar. They combined the flavor of Italian black truffles from Casina Rossa Truffle & Salt (made with real sea salt) with their naturally aged Idaho cheddar to make the perfect partner for red wines, crust bread, or divine truffled potatoes gratin.

The milk used to make Ballard Cheddar Cheese comes from their own Jersey cows which provides a rich and delicious finished product. Because of the higher than standard butterfat content milk these cows produce, the flavor profile is full, yet very delicate. This creates a creamy, yet fantastic cheddar cheese. The product is cut and wrapped by the 1/2 pound.

Learn more or order cheese at www.ballardcheese.com or visit the Ballards and have a free taste at the Saturday Farmer’s Market in Boise.

Read the iGourmet review at http://www.igourmet.com/shoppe/prodview.aspx?prod=9305

E3 Blocks for green builders featured at

E3 Blocks for green builders featured at National Innovation Marketplace – http://bit.ly/iEiOXL http://ow.ly/5jH4T http://ow.ly/5jH6M http://ow.ly/5jH8r

Subaru of Indiana, Scrappiest Carmaker i

Subaru of Indiana, Scrappiest Carmaker in US – Zero layoffs, pay cuts or waste – http://ow.ly/5hGzx. See E3 methodology http://ow.ly/5hGN8