Air Design

The owner began his business by creating a device for John Deere combines as a result of his previous employment at John Deere, where he recognized what agricultural producers needed to operate more productively. He then moved into invention of the scraper.

In the beginning stages, the company worked with the Wolf Point Small Business Development Center, along with a marketing consultant, Leesa Nopper, who helped them to develop a strategic plan to grow sales and enter new markets. To market the product, Air Design used the slogan “Plant when others can’t” to describe the utility of their scraper. The scraper helped farmers to be more productive by enabling the producer to continue planting without having to stop and clean (“scrape off ”) the equipment.

In 2005, Barry came to the SBDC seeking financing to purchase equipment that would enable the company to manufacture a more precise scraper. They were able to secure an $181,000 loan from Great Northern Development Corporation, the SBDC host agency’s loan program, for a computer-programmed water-jet cutting machine and tools. This enabled the company to do more of the manufacturing in-house for the scrapers. This funding provided more stability in the manufacturing process and made the business more self reliant. This past year, John Deere, USA, awarded Air Design a contract for corn-planter scrapers.

The SBDC has been a valuable asset to the company throughout its growing stages. Lorene Hintz, Wolf Point SBDC Business Advisor, visited with Barry about the contract. “The 2007 contract will keep us busy for 180 days,” said Barry. “The scrapers are designed, manufactured, packaged, and shipped nationally from rural Montana.” This successful and growing business which started with one owner has expanded to six employees and additional work shifts mainly due to the business contracted with John Deere, USA. They also have done some exporting to John Deere Limited in Australia.

Air Design can design more than just planter scrapers with the water-jet cutting machine. They have the capability to design and cut decorative signs, signposts, trophies, and many other custom items, such as key chains for local customers.