Spring 2008 Issue
Washington Manufacturing Appreciation
Boom Next Door
Posted: September 15, 2008
Canadian Firms Help Americans Tap Oil Sands
Alberta’s vast oil sands are now the target of development projects with expenditures estimated at $175 billion and Washington is the nearest source of potential American assistance for Canadian companies seeking partners to take on an enormous, growing volume of work. Opportunities exist not only in oil development but in all the new homes, commercial buildings, consumer services, and products that are required to support an expected influx of around 250,000 new people into Alberta.
“The Boom Next Door” will help Washington manufacturers connect with these export opportunities through two Canadian firms that are beginning to help U.S. companies find Canadian partners and business opportunities.
One firm, Strategico, will be represented by Brian Pleet. Strategico is a consortium of 18 Canadian consultants with expertise in aligning company value delivery from relationship building, marketing, organization and market intelligence. After 17 years, Strategico has developed contacts with 4,000 Canadian companies. Strategico recently provided matchmaking services at a trade show in Edmonton for companies including Spokane-based United Coatings. “They set up six meetings for us that produced two good leads. We were happy with them,” said Randy Rugg of UC’s international sales staff.
The other firm is Rainmaker, represented by Blaire Lancaster. Rainmaker is staffed primarily by former Canadian government officials. Rainmaker helps non-Canadian companies with handson business development as well as research and marketing and access to decision-makers. Rainmaker recently connected a UK steel fabricator with Shell Canada, resulting in a sale worth $10 million.
