Some communities use the “shotgun” approach to business development. We prefer to focus our recruitment and expansion efforts on a select group of industries that are a good fit for the region, and the region a good fit for firms serving that industry. From the various industries’ perspective these targets were developed through a detailed analysis of our workforce, geographic location, existing industry presence (critical mass) and local growth trends that would fit these sectors. From the region’s perspective, the most rapidly expanding industries nationwide were selected and measured by employment growth, sales growth, and capacity utilization (plant facilities).
Seven general industry sectors are targeted that represent several groupings of company classifications. Broadly, they include:
General Industry Cluster Targets
Within these broad categories, 21 of the nearly 1,000 SIC (Standard Industry Classification) Codes have been chosen as specific targets for growth and recruitment. They include:
Specific Targets
2396 Automotive Trimmings, Apparel Findings & Related Products
2542 Store and Office Fixtures (except wood)
2732 Book Printing
3751 Motorcycles, Bicycles & Parts
3792 Travel Trailers and Campers
3799 Transportation Equipment, NEC
3845 Electro medical & Electrotherapeudic Apparatus
3721 Aircraft
3728 Aircraft Parts & Engine Parts
7371 Software Development, Custom
7372 Software Development, Prepackaged
3082 Plastics Profile Shapes, Unsupported
3089 Plastic Products, NEC
3672 Printed Circuit Boards
5099 Durable Goods, Wholesale, NEC
2541 Store and Office Fixtures, Wood
2674 Bags, Uncoated Paper & Multiwall
3086 Plastics Foam Products
3087 Plastics Resins, Custom Compounding
3674 Semiconductors & Related Devices
3949 Sporting & Athletic Goods, NEC
Aerospace/Aviation
 A steadily growing industry cluster in Central Oregon and especially Deschutes County, the region has been able to build substantial “critical mass”, especially in general aviation aircraft manufacturing. The dominant firm, Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing (formerly Lancair) designs and manufactures one of the most technically advanced aircraft in general aviation from its Bend Airport plant. New to the region in 2004, Epir Air, also located at the Bend Airport, manufactures a six-seat aircraft and will soon be unveiling its next generation product - the Epic Jet.
Supplier companies and other related firms have also made Central Oregon their home. Firms such as Mountain High Equipment & Supply (Redmond) which relocated from the Salt Lake City area of Utah, produces oxygen systems for non-pressurized aircraft. Precise Flight, Inc., manufactures aircraft safety modification parts, and Electronics International (relocated from the Portland-Metro area) produces electronics systems for general aviation aircraft.
Other aerospace firms have moved to the region because of its outstanding workforce and strategic location between the industry’s manufacturing centers in Southern California and Washington’s Puget Sound. PCC-Schlosser (Redmond) is a titanium casting foundry for the aerospace and medical industries.
High Technology (includes computer software & hardware, medical and biotechnology)
Led by companies such as Advanced Power Technology, a producer of semiconductors, power mofets, IGBT’s and diodes, and Accent Optical Technologies, a manufacturer of process controls and measurement devices, Central Oregon has become the fastest growing high technology area in the state and one of the most rapidly expanding in the Pacific Northwest. It now comprises more than 15% of total manufacturing for Deschutes County.
The region boasts a diverse and growing collection of entrepreneurial software firms including Alpine Internet Solutions, Cort Directions, New Day Software, NeoSoft Corp. and MicroRidge Systems. Growth in the industry is largely attributed to the ability to attract and keep employees (quality of life) as well as excellent high-speed telecommunications infrastructure.
Computer hardware has also been expanding at a stellar rate in a variety of specialties including semiconductors, electronic devices, and circuit board assembly. Leading firms include APT, Bellatrix Systems, ISCO Industrial Service, and Pneu-Con Systems.
Medical related high technology manufacturing and development has been strong as well.
Major employers in this sector include Bend Research, Shielding International and MediSISS. These firms are supported by the excellent health care service industry that has been established in the region, which complements the research, development, and manufacturing sector.
Light Industrial and Manufacturing (Plastics, printing, misc.)
The region is home to a growing number of niche firms that manufacture or assemble products in a variety of sectors. Parton Press, a commercial printer, has customers across the U.S. Chase Doors is a producer of plastic doors and rotational moldings for the construction industry nationwide. Bend and Deschutes breweries have capitalized on the region’s outstanding water quality with award-winning microbrews.Earth2O with one of the most rapidly growing bottled water businesses in the West.
Our diversity of successful companies is one of the area’s greatest strengths, and a foundation from which future success is being built with additional niche companies.
Recreational Equipment Manufacturing
Central Oregon is widely known across the nation as the outdoor recreation enthusiast’s paradise, with its broad variety of options for diverse activities concentrated within a small geographic area. This reputation has attracted not only visitors (and residents) but several recreational equipment manufacturers as well. World-class rock climbing at Smith Rock has attracted a group of companies serving this sector including BMC Motorcycle Company, Seaswirl, Ruff Wear and Metolius Mountain Products.
 One of the region’s largest employers, Seaswirl Boats, Inc. in the town of Culver in Jefferson County, produces a complete line of recreational power boats. Other recreational equipment manufacturers include Procraft, Inc, a manufacturer of fixtures for golf shops; and Ruff Wear, a manufacturer of backpacks for dogs.
Research and Development
Again, because of the region’s ability to attract people with a higher degree of education and experience, R & D has had a history of success in Central Oregon. Bend Research, the largest facility (nearly 137 employees and more than half with PhD distinction) has operated in the region for over 25 years.
The region is working aggressively to secure more research and development operations.
Headquarter Firms
This target represents a “catch-all” for small, innovative, privately held niche enterprises that are looking for an entrepreneurial environment in which to grow and prosper. The region is targeting jobs both in blue and white collar sectors – manufacturing as well as primary services-related jobs.
Examples of existing firms that the region wants more of include: Metabolic Maintenance Products, and Multnomah Publishers – all headquartered in Sisters - have steadily grown both in sales and employment since landing in the region. There are industry pioneers like Keith Manufacturing of Madras that produces “moving floors” for the freight shipping industry and the region’s most widely known home-grown household name Les Schwab Tire Centers of Prineville.
The region targets firms that have owners or managers that are interested in the quality lifestyle and cost competitive environment over other similar areas in the U.S.
Secondary Wood Products
With a long history of dependence on the primary forest products sector (lumber production), the region and Oregon as a whole has been capitalizing on market opportunities in value-added or secondary wood products sector. Industry pioneers like Madras-based Brightwood Corp., and Jeld-Wen (based in Klamath Falls) both produce a variety of moldings, doors, and casings and have grown to be the largest private employers in the region. Prineville is home to the largest concentration of both primary and secondary wood products firms such as Clear Pine Mouldings, American Pine Products, and Pioneer Cut Stock, Inc. - all of which are on the region’s top employer list.
Economic Development for Central Oregon is seeking to attract more value-added firms to the region that will help support, diversify and keep this important industry strong. From the SIC targets above, manufacturers in wood furniture and fixtures is the specific focus. The region already has several operating successfully of varying sizes including several furniture and fixture manufacturers, but the vast majority of our wood products companies do not produce finished consumer goods, rather components and raw material goods that are assembled elsewhere outside the region. |
