Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Business name: Applied Motion Systems Inc.
Owners: Ken Brown and Ken Goheen.
General manager: Paul Johnson.
Address: 12000 N.E. 60th Way.
What the business does: Applied Motion Systems helps manufacturers improve the performance, reliability and operation of their production equipment. General manager Paul Johnson said his company specializes in upgrading the control and drive systems of machinery that require precise coordination of multiple motors. The company also develops complete specialty machines for niche applications. This often involves introducing new technology to companies big and small across industries such as paper, glass, aerospace, wood products and renewable energy.
The company’s products involve multi-disciplined engineering (computer science, electrical and mechanical) and both electrical and mechanical manufacturing.
Steps to build your business: The best source of new business is a referral from a successful project. Our largest customers have manufacturing plants throughout North America. We work to leverage solutions from one plant to the next, as well as grow and diversify our customer base. As a result, we have added 16 employees since 2010 and achieved record sales in 2012.
