Pure
Michigan Export Program
Company: International
Engineering & Manufacturing
Location: Midland , MI
Products/Industry: Traction
and Control Products
Top 5 Countries
Exporting to: Canada , Sweden , Finland ,
Russia , Norway
International Engineering and Manufacturing, known worldwide
as the industry’s premier producer of its product, operates under the trademark
Woody’s Traction. The business was started in the mid-60s by James Musselman
and Woody Koslow during a time when the snowmobile industry was booming. They
created the first carbide runners for snowmobiles, a breakthrough in the sport,
and soon people all over the region wanted a pair of “Woody’s” runners.
From the beginning, the Musselman family worked to transform
Woody’s from a part-time business to an international business and thirty years
ago, they began manufacturing on an international scale. They now globally
operate under licenses in Europe, Australia
and New Zealand while still
operating and exporting to China ,
Korea and the Philippines from their location in Midland , Michigan .
Woody’s Traction has expanded to specialize in not only traction and control
products in the snowmobile industry, but also the ATV and wheeled industry.
They supply primarily all four regional equipment manufacturers and have a
Woody’s after-market line sold at dealerships throughout North
America and the world.
For two years Woody’s Traction has received STEP grant
incentives from the Pure Michigan Export Program, part of the Michigan Economic
Development Council (MEDC). With the
STEP grant incentive, Woody’s Traction was able to participate in trade shows
in Canada
and other countries as well as to participate in trade shows as attendants.
With the grant incentive they were able to develop their website and add
components allowing direct sales with foreign countries from a uniform site.
“Not only does the Pure Michigan Export Program provide
grant incentives to companies seeking foreign expansion, but they also have
programs to strengthen the companies.” said Jennifer Sample, marketing director
of International Engineering and Manufacturing. “We have had the opportunity to
take advantage of many of the MEDC programs such as gardening through Pure
Michigan, diversification exercises, product fitness tests, webinars to develop
teams and learn more about customers and more.”
Robert Musselman, president of International Engineering and
Manufacturing, and Sample both find that the Export Program staff is very
helpful with the grant application process and in identifying opportunities for
their business. Not only does the program staff offer helpful programs
themselves, but they recommend programs and resources from other agencies as
well. With the help of the STEP grant, they have experienced an increase in
sales.
“Grant applications can be difficult to work through. Many
times, you fill out a form and it gets sent back to you for mistakes you made,”
says Musselman. “The staff at the MEDC are very helpful to us and the other
businesses in the program in that they help clear the confusion and ensure our
success from the beginning.”