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Business Friendly Climate in Colfax, Washington Helps Medical Micro Machining Relocate from California with Ease

The relocation of Medical Micro Machining, Inc. http://www.medicalmicromachining.net/index.asp , a specialty manufacturer of small parts for the medical, dental and electronic industries from Simi Valley, Calif. to Colfax, Wash. was not only easier than anticipated, it came with some unexpected economic benefits.

The company, owned and operated by Rob and Kathy Whitmore, announced that it would relocate in April 2007, and by September had completed construction of a new 4,500 square foot facility. The site in rural Whitman County has enough room for expansion, and a second building.

During construction, the company received a Washington State tax deferral for building expenses as well as a sales and use tax exemption that applies to all items directly used in the manufacturing processes that are not expendable. These benefits are extended to manufacturing facilities in rural areas. There are specialized benefits for other types of businesses as well, Rob Whitmore claims.

“We didn’t realize these exemptions would result in such significant cost savings overall,” he said.

The company retained all of its suppliers and customers during and following its relocation, Whitmore reports. With customers nationwide, including subcontractors with the U.S. Department of Defense, the ease of shipping finished goods was another important factor in selecting a permanent location.

Work at the company varies with the contracts they hold, but for the most part focuses on a couple of industries, Whitmore said.

“We do everything from low tech hand work to high tech machining,” he said. “Primarily we produce extremely small parts for the medical industry, electronics and microwave systems.”

Medical Micro Machining expects to hire up to 10 employees during its first couple of years of operation and could expand up to 20 within 5 years, Whitmore reports. Jobs range from assembly and detailed handwork to skilled machinists.

According to Whitmore, another significant benefit that companies tend to overlook is the quality of life in the Inland Northwest. “It’s easy and convenient to live here,” Whitmore claims. “Businesses, even smaller ones like ours, are valued.”

The Palouse Area Economic Development Council http://www.palouse.org/ led the effort to recruit Medical Micro Machining from California through its “Hometown Connections” program that reaches out to former residents and encourages them to bring business back to the area.

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Previous Information (Thanks to Monica Lynn Babine for passing this along.)

MEDICAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY TO RELOCATE IN COLFAX –

Palouse Economic Development Council,

Tammy Lewis – April 16,2007

Medical Micro Machining, Inc. of Simi Valley, Ca., has announced it will relocate its manufacturing operations to Colfax, Wash. as early as this summer. The company, owned and operated by Rob and Kathy Whitmore, are building a 4,500 square foot facility at the northern end of Clay Street with the possibility of building a second building at the same location in the next 5 years.

Whitmore, a 1970 graduate of Colfax High School, began Medical Micro in 1994 at the California location after working for nearly 20 years as manager and production manager for other manufacturing companies including Macro Technologies and J.M. Ney Company in Redmond, Wash. and California.

Work at the company varies with the contracts they hold, but for the most part focuses on a couple of industries, Whitmore said.

“We do everything from low tech hand work to high tech machining. Primarily we produce extremely small parts for the medical industry, electronics and microwave systems.”

A pending contract with a company that produces a miniscule capsule inserted into the human body to read glucose levels could mean the company would expand in the next few years. That project would require a “semi-sterile” facility” so an expansion would most likely be required if the project moves forward. Although a portion of the current building is dedicated to handle that environment, the expansion could be necessary to handle full production.

“That project is currently going through the FDA process,” Whitmore said.

With customers nationwide, spanning from Department of Defense sub-contracts to providing connectors for rental car key chains, the location of the company is not really an issue. With prices escalating in California, it seemed like the perfect time to come home and be near family, he said.

Rob is the son of Rusty and Bernadine Whitmore of Colfax. Rob’s daughter, Daria, recently moved back home to Colfax from Alaska and his son, Clay, hopes to be moving to Colfax after serving in the military in Iraq.

Initially, Daria, a Certified Public Accountant, will take on CFO duties for the company at its new location. Whitmore expects he could hire up to 10 employees the first couple of years and could expand up to 20 within 5 years if the glucose capsule project comes through. Jobs would range from assembly and detailed handwork to skilled machinists.

Whitmore Properties Group is currently working with Brown Family Builders to build the facility on Clay Street with ground breaking expected this week. They hope to have the facility operational by July.

• * * * *

Medical Micro Machining to Relocate Manufacturing Operations to Colfax, Washington

COLFAX, Wash. (April 16, 2007) — The company hopes to have the new facility operational by July.

Medical Micro Machining, Inc. of Simi Valley, Calif., has announced it will relocate its manufacturing operations to Colfax, Wash., as early as this summer. The company, owned and operated by Rob and Kathy Whitmore, are building a 4,500 square foot facility at the northern end of Clay Street, with the possibility of building a second building at the same location in the next five years.

Whitmore, a 1970 graduate of Colfax High School, began Medical Micro in 1994 at the California location after working for nearly 20 years as manager and production manager for other manufacturing companies including Macro Technologies and J.M. Ney Co. in Redmond, Wash., and California.

Work at the company varies with the contracts they hold, but for the most part focuses on a couple of industries, Whitmore said.

“We do everything from low tech hand work to high tech machining. Primarily we produce extremely small parts for the medical industry, electronics and microwave systems.”
A pending contract with a company that produces a miniscule capsule inserted into the human body to read glucose levels could mean the company would expand in the next few years. That project would require a “semi-sterile” facility” so an expansion would most likely be required if the project moves forward. Although a portion of the current building is dedicated to handle that environment, the expansion could be necessary to handle full production.

“That project is currently going through the FDA process,” said Whitmore.

With customers nationwide, spanning from Department of Defense sub-contracts to providing connectors for rental car key chains, the location of the company is not really an issue. With prices escalating in California, it seemed like the perfect time to come home and be near family, he said.
Whitmore expects he could hire up to 10 employees the first couple of years, and could expand up to 20 within five years if the glucose capsule project comes through. Jobs would range from assembly and detailed handwork to skilled machinists. They hope to have the facility operational by July.

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