Caledonia Argus

Miken Sports one of many state businesses benefitting from Minnesota Technology, Inc.

Posted: 10/30/02

by Andrew Miller

Argus News Reporter

Area politicians got a firsthand glimpse of the manufacturing process at the Caledonia-based softball bat producer Miken Sports on October 23. The event was part of the Greater Technology in Greater Minnesota tour and was hosted by Minnesota Technology Inc. (MTI), an organization committed to improving the stateís technology economy.

ìWeíve been conducting tours throughout Minnesota so that business owners and managers get to talk face-to-face with legislators and potential legislators about business issues,î said Janis Rannow, MTIís Communications Manager. ìThe goal is to raise the businessesí visibility to legislators, and so far the tours have been highly successful in bringing business owners and legislators together.î

The event, attended by State Senator Bob Kierlin, State Representative Greg Davids, and State Senate Candidate Sharon Ropes, is one of the many measures MTI has undertaken to bolster Mikenís growth in the past two years.

ìTheyíre just a phenomenal resource,î Miken President Pete Griffith said of MTI. ìThey work with our engineers a lot, they provide basic services like consulting and theyíre working on a new printing and decorating scheme for us.î

MTI has recognized Miken as ìthe leading composite softball bat manufacturer and an innovator of advanced composite technology.î As such, MTI has assisted Miken in designing the most cost effective bat. The result, at least in part, has been a yearlong growth spurt at Miken.

In the past 12 months, Miken has shown significant growth in terms of sales and output. Its sales are up 700-800%, and its estimated product output this year is 70,000 bats; last year they produced just 10,000. The size of their staff saw a similiar increaseñ last year the company had just 11 employees, this year that figure jumped to 75. Griffith attributes much of the companyís success to support from MTI.

ìTheyíve been a significant support mechanism for us throughout the time of growth,î Griffith said. ìTheyíve been really helpful throughout. Weíve got some really good programs going with them.î

One such program, Griffith mentioned, is a material testing program that gives Miken information about the quality of the material to be used in their softball bats, allowing them to produce the highest quality bat, despite being a comparatively small manufacturer.

ìThey (MTI) hooked us up with the Department of Energy and NASA,î Griffith said. ìItís a U.S. program that does durability and performance testing through Russian physicists. We send them materials and they do testing. A company our size just doesnít have the capacity, the time, or the resources to do this kind of testing.î

Since MTI is primarily publicly funded, Miken Sports pays only a nominal fee for the services. The benefits reaped by Miken from MTI are emblematic of the function MTI serves for Minnesotaís small businesses. Established in 1991, the organizationís aim is to help companies increase efficiency, improve manufacturing processes, and develop growth strategies.

If MTIís relationship with Miken is any indication, these aims have been largely accomplished.

ìWe want to help Miken move forward,î said MTI Lean Enterprise Specialist Michael Dieterich, who works hand-in-hand with Miken management and engineering staff.

ìIf thereís something we can do to help out, thatís what weíre here for,î he added. ìItís kind of neat to spend some time with a company and watch them grow. And itís not ending, things are still happening.î

Miken management is grateful to MTIís efforts to provide advancement opportunities for smaller technology companies in Minnesota, and hopes to continue the success it has achieved under the organizationís aegis.

ìIt (MTI) is like a big resource library that has been invaluable,î Griffith said. ìTheyíre just awesome."

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