(Photo above: Sam Mieir of Composite Approach gestures while telling tour members about the company | by Steve Kadel)
The first Friday each October marks National Manufacturing Day across the United States. It shows how manufacturing impacts our everyday lives, drives our economy and what can happen when communities across the country come together to show the public what manufacturing is all about. REDI participates in this endeavor by holding its annual Made in Redmond Tour. It is our own “show and tell” to further expose the manufacturing community to Redmond’s leaders, educate and dispel myths about the manufacturing industry, help bridge the generation gap by improving public perceptions about manufacturing, and increase awareness that manufacturing can provide jobs that are interesting and creative.
Over fifty community leaders toured four companies here in Redmond and learned more about what is made, right here in our town. Among the attendees were Mayor George Endicott, representatives from the Deschutes County Commission, Business Oregon and the Small Business Development Center. Also attending were representatives from our local education system. These attendees had an opportunity learn how education and manufacturing can come together to benefit the community, what careers are available in manufacturing and how they can develop a work ready labor force.
The four host companies on this year’s Made in Redmond Tour were Medline ReNewal, Evolution Aircraft, Composite Approach and Treasure Valley Coffee Company.
Medline ReNewal is one of the top medical device re-processors in the nation. They recondition over one million single-use devices for their customers, resulting in significant savings in health care and waste reduction in landfills. ReNewal, located in Redmond since 2001, moved into their new facility on Hemlock in June 2017. They employ approximately 175 people in Central Oregon. Visit www.medline.com/pages/renewal-reprocessing.
Evolution Aircraft is a new corporation that spawned from Lancair International, Inc. They have called Redmond their home since 1992. The Evolution is the first “digital kit” aircraft designed to be assembled by an owner builder in 1500 hours or less requiring virtually no customization. The Evolution is a 100% carbon fiber airframe composed of similar materials used on the Boeing Dreamliner. With over 85 Evolutions now flying and over 25,000 fleet hours, there is no doubt the Evolution has met the original design goals for comfort and speed, thus found its niche in the market. Visit http://www.evolutionaircraft.com.
Composite Approach began in 1996 as a way to turn one’s intangible innovations into a reality. This company provides advanced composite services in design consultation, project research and development, manufacturing integration and contract production. Projects reach beyond elite custom aircraft, to automotive, motorcycle, auxiliary fuel cells, ocean drones, composite molds and plugs, drones and anything one can dream up. Visit www.compositeapproach.com.
Treasure Valley Coffee Company was established in Bend in 1994 and relocated to Redmond in the summer of 2017. They are a business-to-business provider of a wide range of breakroom needs to sustain your work day. In addition to coffee, they provide service for paper products, first aid and bottled water. Treasure Valley is expanding its water production operation through an advanced reverse osmosis process. RO removes 99.9% of all contaminants and chemicals resulting in pure water for distribution in 3- and 5- gallon bottles. Visit www.tvcbean.com.
