Manufacturing
The 2016 Washington Manufacturing Awards: Executives of the Year, Small Firms
Winner: Chad & Allison Budvarson, owners, Out of the Box Manufacturing
By Bill Virgin April 29, 2016
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of Seattle magazine.
Manufacturing Executives of the Year: Small Firms
Chad & Allison Budvarson, owners
Out of the Box Manufacturing
Renton obmfg.com
The next generation of manufacturing leadership can be found in companies like electronics contract manufacturer Out of the Box and its owners, Chad and Allison Budvarson. Started in 2008 as the recession was taking hold, the company survived by identifying a niche quick-turn prototypes and low-volume assembly and some do-it-yourself tactics, including buying and refurbishing equipment for a fraction of the price of new and securing ISO and AS9100 aerospace certifications.
The Renton company is now at 29 employees, revenue grew 41 percent last year and Out of the Box expects 37 percent growth in 2016.
The Budvarsons have also made a commitment to finding and encouraging future generations of manufacturing workers by playing host to students and teachers for National Manufacturing Day.