News

Conference gives businesses chance to showcase wares

Montana-made products ranging from Heli-Baskets to stew were on display Saturday, as businesses learned how best to catch the eye of the government and land contracts with the defense department.

By SONJA LEE
Tribune Staff Writer

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., presented the Defense Business Conference, "A Chance to Connect," Saturday at the Montana Army National Guard Great Falls Readiness Center.

The event drew about 150 people and brought together Montana businesses, private defense companies and Department of Defense experts. Representatives from companies including Bell Helicopter, Boeing, Honeywell, Lockheed Martin and Textron were there.

"There is a market here for your ideas and your products, if it can compete," Burns said.

The conference was in fact aimed at helping Montana businesses get in a better position to compete. When Montana companies get defense contracts, it creates jobs for local people, including graduates of Montana’s colleges and universities.

"Bottom line is jobs," Burns said. "And these are good-paying jobs."

Eleanor Holland, director of the Defense Supply Center’s small business office in Columbus, Ohio, said the center works with 16 Montana companies. In the last fiscal year, about $13 million was spent in those relationships.

"It’s really a great opportunity to meet with clients," she said of the conference.

Chris Croff is a business partner with Precision Lift Inc. of Monarch, makers of Heli-Basket transport systems, which hold loads like machinery and medical supplies being transported by helicopters.

The conference is an opportunity to learn about the layers a business owner needs to go through to get a government contract, Croff said.

He pointed out that it is often hard to make contact, other than on the Internet, but conference participants were given a list of names and contacts. "We really plan on taking advantage of this. I think it’s fantastic," Croff said.

Marvin Marry of Double M Construction in Hysham was at the conference to display his "Sling Saver, Choker Softener," which he calls an innovative safety device for construction equipment.

Marry also said the conference was full of good information and a great opportunity to connect with larger businesses.

"You have to work for these contracts," Marry said. "And this is showing me how to do business with the government."

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/news/stories/20031019/localnews/481171.html

Posted in:

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.