Pure
Michigan Export Program
Company: Morbark, Inc.
Location: Winn, Michigan
Products/Industry: Industrial
Equipment
Top 5 Countries Exporting to:
Canada, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Chile
From a
small blacksmith shop with only two employees to an international business with
more than 400, Morbark, Inc. has grown to become one of Michigan’s most
recognized industrial equipment manufacturers.
Five
decades ago when founder Norvel Morey received a patent for a portable pulp
wood debarker he established the Morbark Debarker
Company in Winn, Michigan. Today, all of the company’s products are still
manufactured in Winn, however, Morbark, Inc. has expanded its reach from
exclusively forestry to the sawmill, biomass, landscaping/irrigation, recycling,
rental and tree care markets. Entrance into these markets has allowed Morbark
to provide local and international customers with dealer distribution, product
development and manufacturing equipment that transforms organic materials into
environmentally friendly products.
In
2013, Morbark received STEP grant incentives that would allow them to continue expanding
their business internationally, beginning with Michigan Econonmic Development
Corporation’s (MEDC) Trade Mission: China. With help from MEDC, Morbark spent
two weeks in China meeting with potential customers and dealers in the forestry
and biomass markets. In addition to arranging the meetings, MEDC translated and
prepared business cards and pamphlets to Chinese for Morbark, as well as
provided verbal translation during the meetings. The meetings were successful
in building understanding and respect for the Chinese markets and increasing
Morbark’s knowledge of how to become involved.
“If we
had tried to set up those meetings on our own it would have taken months, even
years, to identify the right people and organize it,” said Curt McMullen, international
industrial salesman for Morbark. “I’m not sure we could have done it without
the program’s help.”
The STEP
grant incentives also allowed the company to attend seminars throughout
Michigan that provided education on how to approach international markets and
cultures. These seminars gave Morbark an advantage when the STEP grant
incentive and MEDC facilitated visits to trade shows in Australia, Canada and
Japan.
While
visiting Canada with STEP’s help, Morbark met potential dealers in Alberta that
resulted in over $4 million in revenue for the company. They were also able to
attend the Canadian Waste and Recycling Expo where they closed over $2.2 million
dollars in deals with companies in eastern Canada.
“The
STEP grant has really accelerated our success internationally,” said Mullen. “The
Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s support has been more beneficial
than we could have imagined.”