Missouri Market Development Program: Fiscal Year 2001 Technical Assistance Projects

During Fiscal Year 2001, the Missouri Market Development Program completed 15 technical assistance projects in the Missouri manufacturing community through our partner, Missour Enterprise. These projects assisted small and mid-sized manufacturers through customized programs tailored to the company's individual needs. Positive results were reductions in cost expenditures, diverted waste streams, job creation and returning resources to Missouri markets.

Everlast Fitness Manufacturing Company
Everlast Fitness Manufacuring Company (Moberly) received assistance in identifying and obtaining recovered material from in state sources and in determining cost feasibility for new equipment or additional production.
Reynolds County Sheltered Workshop
Reynolds County Sheltered Workshop (Bunker) received assistance in developing a marketing strategy and website to promote products made from recovered wood.
Abatek Systems
Abatek Systems (Waynesville) received assistance in developing a website designed to sell the company's remanufactured printer cartridges.
Industrial Control Services, Inc.
Industrial Control Services, Inc. (Centralia) received assistance in determining the availability and locations of polystyrene waste streams in the state and assistance in running a prototype to convert to injection mold material.
Surplus Exchange
Surplus Exchange (Kansas City) received assistance in examining recovered computer and electronic components markets to analyze business and marketing capabilities.
NEMO Specialty Farms
NEMO Specialty Farms (Green Castle) received assistance in determining the overall market feasibility and market profile development for their "grow it yourself" mushroom blocks made from recovered sawdust.
US Reel Corporation
US Reel Corporation (Carrollton) received guidance in selecting between the options of boiler equipment or crushing machinery to handle waste wood and comply with DNR recommendations.
Fab Core
Fab Core (West Plains) received assistance in material and process assessments of latex adhesion materials to be used in their operation to convert corrugated box waste to signs.
Tiro-Block
Tiro-Block (Kansas City) received assistance in determining markets for sound barrier blocks made from shredded and compressed tire scraps covered in concrete.
Products Plus
Products Plus (Nixa) received assistance in determining the viability of recycling automotive oil filters as an added avenue of revenue for the company.
TandT Pallet Recycling
TandT Pallet Recycling (Jefferson City) received assistance in determining local area markets for mulch or plant bedding made from unusable scrap in their pallet rebuilding business.
Missouri Recycling Association
The Missouri Recycling Association (statewide) received website development for promoting waste reduction and recycling in Missouri.
Alternative Fuel Source
Alternative Fuel Source (Centerview) received assistance in determining market interest in the development of roofing shingles made from tire scrap.
Mulch and Compost Study
The Missouri Market Development Program began a statewide survey to identify mulch and compost manufacturers and the markets and materials being mulched and composted for retail sale.
Research for Waste Sawdust/Wood Shavings
The Missouri Market Development Program continued an overall study of proven potential uses for waste wood shavings and sawdust. There are 1.65 million tons of wood waste generated in Missouri each year. Of that, 221.4 thousand tons are unused. While this 86.6% usage rate is an improvement from the 50% rate in 1987, there is yet a huge opportunity in the remaining 221.4 tons. Several factors make disposition of this waste wood a major issue. Decaying piles can contaminate our water supply and take up valuable land space. Hauling costs can make landfilling the waste cost prohibitive to small manufacturers.

This project will review outlets for wood waste, including those within the lumber industry, agricultural products, landscaping, building/construction, and alternatives to fossil fuels.