Rising From The Ashes: Grovtec and EWTF

DOES WORKFORCE INVESTMENT WORK?

ASK GROVETEC...

Bob Grover founded GrovTec US in 2006 after the company for which he worked, Michaels of Oregon, was sold and most of its production outsourced to China. GrovTec manufactures gun accessories. Starting a new business is always risky, especially when much of what it produces can already be sourced from China. But Bob Grover was committed to keeping as many of the jobs of former Michaels employees as possible in Milwaukie, Oregon.

After a good start, GrovTec's initial success created challenges for the company. They were rapidly outgrowing their space. They were also outgrowing their systems and processes. GrovTec needed advice and staff training to effectively manage its growth. It turned to the Workforce Investment Council of Clackamas County (WICCO), its local workforce investment board. "Working with WICCO is like having a best friend on your side. There aren't words enough. We've worked with some fantastic people. Just fantastic!" states Michelle Payne, Accounting and Human Resources Manager, GrovTec, Milwaukie, OR

Thanks to the support provided by WICCO through an Employer Workforce Training Fund matching grant, GrovTec was able to redesign a number of its processes and reduce inefficiency. The training also created a more collaborative working environment, where every employee is engaged in making the company stronger. "The thing that the training helped us do is remember that we are a team. And people who work together as a team can be more efficient," stated Michelle Payne, Accounting and Human Resources Manager. Over the last four years the company's bottom line has grown from about a half million to almost $4million and GrovTec is on a path to long term sustainability.

"In our industry there are a lot of companies like the big gun manufacturers that buy a lot of their parts from China," stated Bob Grover. "We've been able to focus on trying to increase our efficiencies enough to remain competitive and the training has been another step in creating a better work atmosphere and being the best we could be on making our product."

Does Workforce Investment Work? Ask Bob Grover, Michelle Payne and the staff at GrovTec.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Grovetec
• job creation
• Oregon Workforce Partnership
• Workforce Investment Act
• competing with china
• keeping jobs in Oregon
• outsourcing
• lean manufacturing
• WICCO
• becoming competitive