The challenge

PWI, Inc., a Kansas manufacturer, pioneered aviation interior lighting in 1972 with custom-made fluorescent lights and more recently has become the resident expert in LED lighting.

The company recently developed and patented an extremely energy efficient power converter for lighting systems that runs both AC and DC currents. The aviation industry accounts for approximately 66 percent of the company’s core business, and import sales for aerospace products and parts have continued to increase. This firm began working with the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) in 2011.

The solution

The firm was awarded $75,000 in Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) funding which they matched to total $150,000 to implement the following strategic projects:

• Leadership development to create goals, objectives and strategies
• Market research to expand customer base
• Production improvements to obtain cGMP/ISP 13485 certification
• MIS upgrades to improve data flow

Results since program entry

• cGMP/ISO 13485 certification.
• Sales increased from $842,025 to $1,585,098.