High-tech products made locally
It’s not all snowboards and mountain bikes here--you might be surprised at some of the things that are manufactured in Central Oregon. Here’s a sampling, in alphabetical order:Aircraft. Three companies manufacture light aircraft in complete and kit form at plants adjacent to Bend and Redmond airports. They are:
Cessna Aircraft Co. purchased Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Co. of Bend in a bankruptcy sale in November 2007 and CEO Jack Pelton immediately declared it would retain the Bend plant and expand production. Employing over 700 people at its peak, Columbia encountered financial reverses for reasons as diverse as hailstorm damage to new planes and avionics supply interruptions. The workforce numbered over 400 at the time of the sale. The company's high-performance, single-engine, four-seat aircraft models built with composite airframe technology represent an addition to the Cessna product line. Cessna, the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, is a subsidiary of Textron Inc.
Epic Aircraft, Bend. With a product line that includes kit planes, certified aircraft and experimental aircraft with piston and jet power, Epic has plants at the Bend airport and in Calgary, Alta. In September it was announced that Vijay Mallya, owner of Kingfisher Airlines in India, was buying half interest in the company from Aircraft Investor Resources LLC for $200 million.
Lancair International Inc., Redmond. Central Oregon’s pioneer kit aircraft manufacturer, Lancair has expanded its initial product line of high-performance two-seaters to new 385-mph, four-seat turboprop models aimed at the business and executive flight market. Kit planes must be assembled at least 51% by the buyer. This is frequently done under company supervision in the manufacturer’s plant, or by aftermarket specialists.
Bulk acoustic wave technology. TriQuint Semiconductor Inc. of Hillsboro, Ore., acquired TFR Technologies of Bend in 2005. TFR developed bulk acoustic wave technology that enhanced TriQuint’s silicon wafer and semiconductor product line.
Control and security systems. Bellatrix Systems Inc. of Bend makes products ranging from coin-operated newspaper racks and vending machines to data acquisition, retrieval and management systems.
Data collection systems. MacSema Inc. of Bend makes automated data collection and identification systems used by government and commercial customers around the world.
Hydrogen fuel cells. IdaTech LLC of Bend, employs hydrogen fuel cell technology in stationary and mobile electric power generation systems. It has contracted with several overseas distributors and has been awarded $5.5 million in military R&D contracts to develop a tactical power generator. IdaTech was acquired in 2006 by Investec PLC, a British banking firm.
Oxygen delivery systems. Mountain High Equipment and Supply Co. of Redmond makes oxygen masks and delivery systems for aircraft and medical uses and has received $5 million in military appropriations in 2006 and 2007.
Pharmaceuticals. Bend Research Inc. specializes in research and development of new pharmaceutical delivery technologies. An example: Bend Research and Pfizer Inc. have jointly developed a technique that makes it easier for the body to absorb drugs in pill form, which can shorten the time required to bring experimental drugs to market.
Semiconductors. Microsemi Corp. spent $3.5 million to expand its Power Products Division in Bend after acquiring Advanced Power Technology in 2006. Its high-frequency semiconductors are used in many applications. Microsemi is under contract with Northrop Grumman to develop lightweight, heat-resistant silicon carbide semiconductors for military use.
Solar power inverters. PV Powered Inc. of Bend has introduced a 30,000-Watt solar inverter sized for commercial applications, joining a 5,200-Watt residential inverter. Inverters change DC current generated by solar panels to AC current compatible with local power supply.
Titanium castings. PCC Schlosser, Redmond, makes titanium investment castings for aerospace and medical applications, including the C-17 Globemaster. It is a division of Portland-based PCC Structurals, formerly Precision Castparts.
Wood products. Only one sawmill, Warm Springs Forest Products Industries in Jefferson County, remains in Central Oregon. The wood industry’s legacy continues in the form of secondary products—moulding and millwork, wood-framed windows and doors, roof trusses and manufactured homes. This sector employs over 4,000 people in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras and accounts for 45% of the manufacturing employment in the three counties. The largest company, Bright Wood Corp., employs about 1,450 in Redmond and Madras. While the finished product may not be considered high-tech, the manufacturing and process control techniques employed in today's wood products industry certainly are.
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