Delta Computer stays the course

Delta Computer Systems has a new building in Battle Ground's East Commerce Center. (Libby Tucker/The Columbian)

Computer engineer John Vainikka tests a control board for Delta Computer Systems. (LIBBY TUCKER/The Columbian)

Peter Nachtwey Delta Computer Systems president

Steve Nylund Delta Computer Systems CEO

Delta Computer Systems has opened a new building in Battle Ground, despite a big slump in sales over the past year. The manufacturer of industrial automation equipment relocated in May from the EastRidge Business Park in Orchards, its home for more than 20 years, to a new 21,000-square-foot space in Commerce East Business Park.

The company has built business over 27 years designing sawmill controls for the forest products industry. Delta Computer programs control hydraulic machines to position massive logs as they move through a sawmill; for example, aligning the blades to cut within thousandths of an inch.

Delta's mainstay clients have suffered with the housing industry crash and declining demand for lumber. In turn Delta has seen a 30 percent drop in sales in the 12 months through May.

Sales have remained flat since the start of the year, but Steve Nylund, CEO and co-owner says the company is doing "OK."

Delta has not laid off any of its 25 employees and plans to continue growing at its historic rate, adding an average of one new employee each year.

"We're adding clients even in a tough economic place and positioning for a positive up cycle," Nylund said.

Delta has diversified its client base in recent years to design controls for a wide range of industries, including oil and gas exploration, plastics, medical devices and even NASCAR. To test aerodynamic forces on race cars, Delta designed race car suspension simulation equipment.

Nylund and co-owner Peter Nachtwey always had dreamed of building their own manufacturing facility and in February of 2008 bought the Battle Ground lot, part of a 35-acre industrial development by The Gold Medal Group. The property was "shovel ready" and centrally located for company employees, Nylund said.

They hired Battle Ground architect Karl Johansson and Vancouver general contractor TEAM Construction for the project, which began in September.

Delta Computer Systems is the fifth company to buy and build in the industrial park since 2004, joining Ideal Food Products, Oldcastle Glass, Trail Tech and JRT Mechanical. Three of the development's original 11 lots have been purchased and are awaiting construction and three remain unsold, said Dennis Pavlina, park owner and developer with The Gold Medal Group.

Industrial and commercial development has generally been slow in Battle Ground since the failure in January of Bank of Clark County, which provided the majority of development loans in the city, said Robert Maul, Battle Ground community development director. However, employers continue to move into the area and some existing businesses are expanding, he said.

Private businesses added 62 new jobs in Battle Ground in 2008, according to the city, which doesn't track the number of jobs lost.

The opening of a new interchange with Interstate 5 at Battle Ground Highway, formerly state Highway 502, and the expansion of that road to five lanes are attracting new manufacturers, said Diane Rivera, executive director of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce, which is in discussions with three unnamed companies looking to relocate to the city.