Published

The challenge

Express Scale Parts, Inc., a scale and bagging equipment manufacturer, has been receiving assistance from the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC) since 2010. Initially the firm began as a parts supplier and over the years evolved into making sophisticated gross and net weight bagging scales; automatic bag hangers, bag closing and positioning and transfer conveyors; manual, automatic or semi-automatic palletizing equipment; and portable bagging. When foreign competition began to erode their market share, the company president met with TAAC project managers and determined that the firm qualified for the program.

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:

  • Market research
  • Trade show display materials
  • Software upgrades
  • Improved website

Results since program entry

  • An updated software program allowed for more efficient operations, increased productivity of ESP control specialist and streamlined processes.
  • Increased sales of $1 million since entering the TAAF program.

Related programs