Northwest Aerospace News April | May Issue No.14 | Page 14

PROJECT IDEAS
Again, the NWTAAC website provides an abundance of project history, case studies, and list of projects to consider in
positioning your firm for success in and through the TAAF program. Projects such as the ones provided in the list below,
have helped companies enhance strategic positioning in the marketplace, improve overall performance, adapt to changing
market conditions, and ultimately increase growth and profits. It is important to know that all projects are customized.
Firms in diverse industries have undertaken using this program’s matching funds in areas that include finance and general
management, marketing, brand identity, quality assurance, manufacturing, and more.
Holbert was recently quoted in the Bernston Porter Manufacturing Survey speaking on import impact on domestic firms.
“Import competition can arrive suddenly and many companies don’t see it coming. The span of industries
and products that are affected is surprising — import impact is not confined to predictable sectors. When
faced with a sudden challenge, for example a 50 percent price disadvantage, the companies that tend to
succeed recognize that something must change in their business. They can’t win by just trying harder.
Often this change entails moving toward customization, more responsive service, verifiable quality, or
rapid delivery — all areas in which domestic companies have natural advantages. Such changes are often
introduced or facilitated by outside expertise in myriad areas. Aggregate results for companies working
with NWTAAC show an 8.9 percent per annum sales increase for the several years following the intro-
duction of a plan for change focused on outside expertise. This is a strong endorsement of the idea that
with better knowledge, targeting, and tools, domestic companies can overcome the significant challenges
of import competition.”
Small manufacturers of high quality products with
high U.S. parts content are becoming rare.
Assistance from TAAF helps us stay competitive.
~ Manufacturing OEM Executive
14
NORTHWEST AEROSPACE NEWS