5 MINUTES WITH
GREG KOHN
VISTAGE INTERNATIONAL
R.D. KIRKNESS
ROCK CREEK LUMBER
February 2014
Lockwood firm makes innovative products for the energy industry
GOING
TO THE
MAT
Billings Business 401 N. Broadway Billings, MT 59101-1242
CONTENTS
feb’14
An indispensable business resource On the Cover Vice President Mark Schiffner, left, and President Brian Stasiewich, of Rig Mats of America, are pictured at the company’s factory in Billings.
Photo by CASEY PAGE
FEATURES
Going to the mat................................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Lockwood firm makes innovative products for the energy industry
Building on success.................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Rock Creek Lumber adds Billings location
Branching out..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 18 New plumbing supply wholesaler coming to Billings
Construction Zone......................................................................................................................................................................................... 27 360 Office Solutions, Montana Radiator Works, Western Security Bank Columns
Economic Development..........................................................................................................................................................................12 Dena Johnson - Human capital is greatest asset for most businesses R.D. Kirkness, Rock Creek Lumber, Page 14
Sales Moves...........................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Jeffrey Gitomer - Are you taking advantage of ‘windshield time’?
Strategies for Success.............................................................................................................................................................................21 Dave Power - These 10 lessons will help inform your business decisions
Better Business..................................................................................................................................................................................................39 Erin T. Dodge - Own a small business? You should work to improve your brand
Travel & Leisure.................................................................................................................................................................................................44 Billie Ruff - Try these guidelines for tipping while you travel
Marketing Cooler.............................................................................................................................................................................................46 Dana Pulis - In the age of social media, networking still makes sense
Human Resources..........................................................................................................................................................................................47 Arrow Solutions Group - 5 generations must learn to work together billings BUSINESS EVERY MONTH
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From the Editor........................................................................................................................................................................................................4 By the numbers......................................................................................................................................................................................................5 The local economy at a glance
Five Minutes with............................................................................................................................................................................................12 Greg Kohn - Vistage International Page 13 Greg Kohn
Chamber News.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 Alex Tyson - Get ready, Billings: Some big events are on the horizon
Success Stories.................................................................................................................................................................................................49 Business Briefs..................................................................................................................................................................................................50 The Listings............................................................................................................................................................................................................51
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Billings Business is mailed each month to area business owners, managers and decision makers for $19.95 per year. To subscribe, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to:
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The Case of Failed Technology bottom line in other ways like the loss of productivity, damage control to make up for the lost time, repair expenses, and more. Take for example a downtime situation experienced by Amazon for only two hours in June of 2008. It’s estimated that Amazon lost $30,000 a minute during this outage. Nowadays, Amazon’s revenues are three times what they were in 2008, which would put them close to losing $100k a minute if they experienced downtime today.
If your business has never experienced a major computer problem, then it’s easy to underestimate just how damaging downtime can be. This conclusion can be drawn from a recent survey of small business owners, where 65% estimated they would only lose $500 if their company’s network went down for a day. In reality, downtime is much more costly than $500. The same study goes on to find that 20% of small businesses have a major IT accident resulting in downtime every five years; of the small businesses that are hit with a major disaster, 40% will close for good. All of these statistics show us the danger of underestimating downtime. 87% of small business owners that believe they are somehow immune to a catastrophic disaster. An IT disaster resulting in costly downtime and data loss can strike a business of any size and come from multiple sources that are uncontrollable, like hardware failure, a hacker attack, human error, and more. Additionally, downtime is more costly than what many would suppose it to be because it does more than result in a loss of revenue. Downtime will hurt your Billingsbusiness
Employees Affected x Average Employee Cost Per Hour x Average % Affected by IT = Lost Productivity
of a disaster, meaning that your business won’t have to suffer through one expensive minute of downtime!
After determining the cost of downtime for your company, you may be shocked to see how expensive it would be to just lose one day of business to an IT problem. If you don’t have a downtime solution in place because you didn’t see the need, then you’re not alone. In the CA Technologies study, it was revealed that “56% of enterprises in North America and 30% in Europe don’t have a formal and comprehensive disaster recovery policy.”
To learn more about BDR, or to have Avitus Group Technology Services help your organization draw up its own business continuity plan, call us today at 800.454.2446. BIO-
Montana native, Kirk Porter, is President of Avitus Technology Services, founded in In another recent study, this one by CA 2009. Starting out as a Microsoft Certified Technologies, 200 companies across North Engineer, Kirk excelled at client relations America and Europe were looked at in Downtime can be devastating to a and sound technology solutions which order to determine the cost of downtime business. The best way to prevent resulted in quickly climbing the value incurred from an IT outage. Of these 200 downtime is to have a reliable business (large) companies, it was discovered that continuity plan in place that will keep your ladder with clients and his employers. Kirk spent over seven years as the $26.5 billion in revenue was lost each operations up and running, even in the year, which comes out to a $150,000 event of a major disaster. Avitus Technology Director of Infrastructure Services for a top 20 accounting firm building a services annual hit for each business. This study Services can protect your business from portfolio, delivery teams and go-toalso discovered that IT outages are downtime with our Backup and Disaster frequent, lengthy, and can do more than Recovery (BDR) solution. BDR continuously market strategies. During that time Kirk cause monetary damage. A loss incurred backs up your data throughout the successfully achieved Gold Partner status from downtime also hurts a company’s workday to an offsite data center. BDR can with Microsoft, an accreditation that is not reputation, the morale of the staff, and easily achieved. also virtualize your network in the event customer loyalty. The cost of downtime will be different for every business. One thing every company has in common is that experiencing downtime caused by an IT outage will put an organization at serious risk of going out of business. Here are two formulas you can use to calculate the cost of downtime for your business:
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The first downtime formula determines loss of sales: Yearly Revenue/Business Hours x IT Impact to Sales % = Lost Sales The second downtime formula factors loss of employee productivity:
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www.a vitusgroup.com Regional Office Billings, MT February 2014
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the editor
NAHB CONFIRMS B ILLINGS MARKET IS HOT
February 2014 • VOLUME 20 • NUMBER 3
mike gulledge tom howard COPY EDITOR chris jorgensen GENERAL MANAGER allyn hulteng PUBLISHER
EDITOR
The Billings housing market ranks as one of the nation’s strongest, with building activity climbing to levels not seen since before the recession of 2008-09. Billings ranks No. 27 among 350 metropolitan areas analyzed in the National Association of Home Builders/ First American Leading Market Index for January. It’s one of 56 metropolitan areas where the housing industry is operating at above normal levels, according to a formula that takes into account building permit activity, housing prices and employment data. The NAHB’s Leading Market Index measured Billings at 1.10, compared to a national average of 0.86. The index means the nation’s housing industry is running at 86 percent of normal, while Billings is building at a clip that’s 10 percent faster than normal. David Crowe, the NAHB’s chief economist, said smaller markets like Billings are leading the way nationwide. “Of the 56 markets that are at or above normal levels, 48 of them have populations that are less than 500,000, and many of these local metros are fueled by a strong energy sector, which is producing solid job and economic growth,” Crowe said. Four of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the NAHB’s study are in Texas. Bismark, N.D., ranked fourth with an overall score of 1.6, and Grand Forks, N.D., ranked sixth with a score of 1.39. Casper, Wyo., ranked third with a score of 1.62. The study ranks 350 metro areas by compiling their
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average building permit, price and employment levels for the past two months and dividing each by their annual average over the last period of normal growth. For single-family permits and home prices, 2000-2003 is used as the last normal period, and for employment, 2007 is the base for comparison. Those three components are then averaged to provide an overall score, according to the NAHB. “What is setting Billings apart from other MSAs is the improvement in building construction,” said Michael Neal, senior economist with the NAHB. Ty Lantis, co-owner of Image Builders and current president of the Home Builders Association of Billings, welcomed the current pace of activity, and he’s optimistic that the trend will continue through 2014. Lantis said the Billings housing market didn’t get overheated in the years prior to the recession. As a result, Billings avoided a housing bubble that left millions of foreclosures in the wake of the recession. Lantis said the hottest price range for Billings continues to be homes priced between $285,000 and $400,000. “We’ve been through a few ups and downs. I’d say we’re at a sustainable level,” said Lantis, whose company built its first home in 2003. The association’s first Builders and Remodelers Expo last month attracted thousands of people. “The general public was happy with it and so were the vendors,” Lantis said. “With it being a new event and coming right after the holidays, it was good.”
SALES
dave worstell ryan brosseau RETAIL SALES MANAGER shelli scott ADVERTISING SALES gail ball ADVERTISING COORDINATOR linsay duty
SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR CLASSIFIED MANAGER/ONLINE MANAGER
PRODUCTION
DESIGNER
karen scherting bob tambo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
SUBSCRIPTIONS Billings Business is mailed each month to area business owners, managers and decision makers. To subscribe for $19.95 per year, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to: Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 ADVERTISING For retail advertising call Gail Ball 657-1284. For classified advertising, call 657-1212. Advertising deadline for the March 2014 issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4. You may send material to ads@billingsbusiness.com or FAX to 657-1538. NEWS If you would like to submit a news tip, story idea, announcement about your business or press release, please e-mail it to: editor@billingsbusiness.com website: www.billingsbusiness.com Information published herein does not reflect the opinion of Billings Business. Contents are the property of Billings Business.
BILLINGSbusiness
By the Numbers
Local and Regional Economic Trends
Unemployment
Building rebound
New home construction in Billings returned to its highest level since before the recession in 2013.
8 6
Building permits issued 500 400
4
427
407
409 355
300
Note: No Sept. 2013 unemployment figures were reported due to government shutdown.
10
261
241
240
200
2 0
197
April
May
June
July
August
October
November
100 0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Montana
2013
Yellowstone County
Source: City of Billings Building Department
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry
Billings housing starts
National park recreation visitors
New single-family home building permits 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
409 355
350
1,000,000 800,000
300
600,000
250
400,000
200 150
200,000
100
0
50 July
August
September
October
July 2012 - Dec. 2012
November
December
0
July 2013- Dec. 2013
2012
Aug. Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Jun.
Yellowstone National Park
Jul.
Aug. Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Glacier National Park
Jun. 2012 to Nov. 2012
2013
Ag prices
Jun. 2013 to Nov. 2013
Airport boardings 60,000
Montana Beef Cattle
(per bushel)
(per cwt.)
50,000
$150
$10 8
120
6
90
4
60
2
30
0
0
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
40,000 30,000 20,000 10,000 0 Jul.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Jul. 2012 to Dec. 2012 Jul. 2013 to Dec. 2013 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Billingsbusiness
Jul.
Source: National Park Service
Montana winter wheat
Aug.
Jun.
YTD Through Dec. 31
Source: City of Billings
Jul.
U.S.
Dec.
June
July
August
September
October
November
Billings
Bozeman
Missoula
Jun. 2012 to Nov. 2012 Jun. 2013 to Nov. 2013
Jun. 2012 to Nov. 2012 Jun. 2013 to Nov. 2013
Jun. 2012 to Nov. 2012 Jun. 2013 to Nov. 2013
Source: Montana Department of Transportation
February 2014
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Vice President Mark Schiffner, left, and President Brian Stasiewich, of Rig Mats of America, are pictured at the company’s factory in Billings. Photo by CASEY PAGE
Going Lockwood firm makes innovative products for the energy industry
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to the
mat
By TOM HOWARD A growing business in L ockwood is gaining a reputation for innovation as it hustles to feed the oil industry ’ s vast appetite for rig mats
— portable ,
reusable platforms that keep oil rigs out of the muck . Billingsbusiness
Above, Rig Mats of America employees weld steel frames on mats in production at the company’s facility on Cerise Road in Billings. Left, cross-laminated timber makes products produced by Rig Mats of America stronger, lighter and more durable. Far left, the steel frame on a rig mat in production at Rig Mats of America. Photos by CASEY PAGE Billingsbusiness
February 2014
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It’s a story of a nimble innovator dreaming up a better mouse trap. Rig Mats of America uses modern materials and building techniques to create structures that are tougher, lighter and more durable than competitors’ products. For decades, rig mats have been standard equipment to keep drilling rigs high and dry in all weather conditions. Each drilling rig uses between 60 and 80 mats, which travel to the well site on the back of flatbed trucks. To get an idea of the market’s size, consider that 1,700 oil and gas rigs are now operating in the continental United States. A traditional rig mat is made from 6-by-6 wooden timbers that are aligned like piano keys. The wooden assembly is encased by a structure of steel I-beams, which add rigidity and protect the wood from damage. RMA builds traditional timbered rig mats if a customer requests them. But the company is staking its future on a new style of mat made from kiln-dried, cross-laminated timber. Layers of planed and glued 2-by-8 lumber are sandwiched together with the grain alternating in
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Photo by CASEY PAGE Rig Mats of America employees weld steel frames on rig mats in production at the company’s facility.
a crisscross pattern, like plywood. The laminated platform is lighter, more durable and can handle twice as much weight as a traditional rig mat, said Brian Stasiewich, president of Rig Mats of America Inc. RMA has been operating in Billings for about two years. It’s part of a trend that has seen energy-related companies locating
to the Billings area to take advantage of its proximity to the booming Bakken and other active energy markets. Canadian-born Stasiewich was part of family-run company, Anchor Manufacturing, that operated in Canada for more than a decade. Anchor was purchased by a larger company, Strand Energy Services
of Calgary, a few years ago. As part of the transaction, Stasiewich signed a noncompete agreement that prevented him from starting up a similar business in Canada. But it didn’t prevent him from setting up shop in the United States. As it turns out, Billings is a good location for a business like RMA, Stasiewich said. By comparison, it wouldn’t make sense to locate in Williston, N.D., because shop space is in short supply and workers are hard to find. About 75 percent of RMA’s production heads to the Bakken, although mats have been shipped throughout the United States, Alaska and Canada, Stasiewich said. The company’s innovative products have gained a following. Mark Schiffner, RMA’s vice president, said he once offered a customer a money-back guarantee if the laminated mats didn’t perform as promised. “He ordered several truckloads, but he didn’t want the CLT (laminated) mats. I included one truckload of CLT and said we’d come pick them up at no charge if he didn’t like them,” Schiffner said. “Since then, he’s ordered about $1 million worth of
Billingsbusiness
Photo by CASEY PAGE Rig Mats of America employees weld and grind steel frames that are part of the company’s innovative rig mats.
CLT mats.” RMA’s manufacturing plant at 921 Cerise Road is the site of a former auto detailing shop where cars were washed and shined up before they hit the Lockwood Auto Auction. The assembly line can handle about three panels at once. Sparks fly as workers cut, grind and weld steel beams to wooden decks, which are typically 40 feet long and 8 feet wide, although the company can also build custom lengths. The panels are designed so that they can be
Billingsbusiness
stacked easily and winched onto the back of a flatbed trailer. During a tour of the plant, Staisewich said a traditional timbered rig mat can handle about 35,000 pounds of weight per square foot. “Ours is good for over 70,000 pounds,” he said. “We brought this to the rig mat industry, and it has proven itself already.” RMA’s website, www.rigmatsofamerica.com, features videos of mats being dropped and other abuse.
Schiffner estimated that CLT mats account for more than three-quarters of the company’s output. CLT mats are also popular for companies that use “walking” oil rigs, which are transported from site to site with giant hydraulically-powered pads that act like feet. The company’s eight-man assembly crew completes about seven panels per day. There’s not a lot of finished product in inventory because the mats are shipped out
almost immediately to fill orders, Stasiewich said. Counting the fabrication crew, the company has 13 employees — Stasiewich, Schiffner, two office workers and Schiffner’s brother, Willard, who handles sales. “For us, the building worked out perfect,” Sasiewich said. “That’s line one over there. This here will be line two, and we’ll be able to double our production when we can justify it.” While dreaming up their new product,
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Rig mats are used beneath a drilling rig to protect equipment from the elements and ease moving equipment. Courtesy photo
Stasiewich and Schiffner traveled far and wide shopping for laminated lumber. The hunt led Stasiewich to Austria, where a manufacturer provides a significant portion of RMA’s laminated lumber at a competitive price. “I’ve been to mills in Canada, the U.S. and Europe, and the Austrian mills make us look pretty archaic,” Stasiewich said. “A tree goes in one end of the mill and CLT comes out the other side. They also use chips and sawdust to generate their power, so it’s very efficient.” While Austria’s timber industry has a world-class reputation, there are disadvantages to dealing with a European manufacturer. For example, it takes around 2-1/2 months from the time you place an order until you receive product, Stasiewich said. In an effort to source more material from the region, RMA has begun purchasing some of its laminated material from SmartLam, a Montana firm with an office in Whitefish and a mill in Columbia Falls. The company employs about 20 people now, but could see its employment grow as it invests in additional equipment. “We’re the first CLT plant in the United States,” said Casey Malmquist, general man-
ager of SmartLam, which started production in the fall of 2012. Malmquist said CLT is sometimes humorously referred to as “plywood on steroids” because its layered panels can be built up to 40 feet long and 11 feet wide. He said CLT was the first engineered wood product to be introduced in the United States in about 25 years. In the United States, it’s being used primarily for rig mats and crane mats but has been widely used in buildings and for other applications throughout Europe, Malmquist said. SmartLam has invested about $2 million in equipment and plans to spend more, Malmquist said. “We buy everything we can from them,” Schiffner said. “It’s one of those things where we got together and we worked to partner up because it made sense.” He said RMA is working on other innovations, including a patented system of interlocking road panels that provide safe, portable access to a rig site. The portable roadway is designed to replace access roads made from scoria, a type of gravel made from igneous rock.
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I February 2014
Billingsbusiness
When It’s Your Heart, It’s All About Time
Watch for our Cardiac Center Open House in March! We’re Ready for You Before You Arrive
If you experience chest pain, don’t wait. Call 9-1-1. When you’re having a heart attack, minutes matter in minimizing damage to your heart and saving your life. We receive your EKG while you’re en route in the ambulance, saving valuable Billings Clinic’s average time time. The ER physician and to heart attack intervention*, Cardiologist consult before you measured from arrival to treatment of the blocked artery arrive, and the team is ready and waiting for you. Our processes have been recognized by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care through Chest Pain Center accreditation – and Billings Clinic is the only facility with this accreditation in a three-state region.
The only accredited Chest Pain Center in Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota
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www.billingsclinic.com/heart Billingsbusiness
February 2014
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SPONSORED BY THE big sky economic development
H uman capital is greatest asset for most businesses
Take a look at your business resolutions and if human capital isn’t on the list, you might want to add it to the top.
Economist Larry Swanson projects that Billings is headed toward a 2 percent unemployment rate in the next year. What does this mean for your business? If you’re like most businesses, you’re beginning to wonder how you will find employees in such a competitive environment. Now more than ever, small business owners will be tasked with thinking beyond their existing benefit scope to attract, engage and retain quality employees. Take a look at your business resolutions and if human capital isn’t on the list, you might want to add it to the top. What benefits are you providing employees or can you afford to provide? Maybe it’s not about what you can give but what you can offer. Flexible schedules, paid time off, holidays off with family, a healthy work environment, investment in personal and professional development, a feeling of value and appreciation for work being done and even the occasional
Upcoming training seminars
Dena Johnson Dena Johnson is the regional director for the Small Business Development Center at Big Sky Economic Development. She can be reached by email at dena@ bigskyeda.org or by calling 406-869-8412.
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employee potluck or appreciation day can go a long way for ensuring your employees know their value to you. How many can truly say they enjoy going to work? Do your employees? How do you know? Companies that are investing in human capital as their greatest asset will continue to see dividends for years to come. Yes, the paycheck matters and, at the end of the day, we all need to get paid. But what if it’s not just about that? Survey your employees. Find out what they really care about. You just might be surprised at what small changes could make an impact in not only their lives but in your business — and they may cost you much less than you think. Employee turnover can devastate a company. Training and recruiting costs constrain budgets — and the brain drain that results from a loss of institutional memory when long-term employees leave wage substantial and costly blows to any organiza-
Pre-Business Workshop: Evaluating a Business Idea and Business Planning. Held on the third Wednesday of every month. Managing Cash Flow taught by Michael Morrison, CPA on March 19 from noon to 2 p.m.The lecture will be from noon to 1 p.m. Q&A and additional resources available will be from 1-2 p.m. You are welcome to attend one or both parts. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Match Making Event: Speed dating & training with contracting officers for small businesses. Tentative date set for March 13 8 a.m.-4p.m. Cost to attend is $10. For more information or to register for any of these events, please call 406.254.6014.
tion’s bottom line. Imagine the impact to your company if you lost your best and brightest. It’s up to you to find them and keep them. And when it comes to that, you simply can’t afford to put employee benefits and employee morale at the bottom of your “to do” list. The Small Business Development Center at Big Sky
Economic Development works with small- and mediumsized businesses to learn more about ways to attract and retain quality employees and how to survey the ones you’ve got. The SBDC is able to provide free-of-charge, on-site evaluations with consultation on how you can improve your current employee program.The center also offer pre-business
workshops, managing cash flow classes, and custom counseling designed for your business needs; one-on-one consultation topics include: Business Planning, Market Planning and Research, E-commerce, Financial Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Organizational Structure, Management Development, Pre-Business Workshops, and Specialized Business Training.
c r e at i n g m o n ta n a b u s i n e s s opportunities
Taryn Reitz & Dena Johnson
Taryn Reitz knows how to make brides feel special. Her new bridal boutique, Belle en Blanc, is open in downtown Billings. But months before the ribbon was cut, she turned to Dena Johnson at the Small Business Development Center to discuss her business plan, marketing plan, financing and more. Now Taryn can focus less on the foundation of her business and more on helping brides say yes to the dress. Let us help you. Call 406.254.6014.
406.256.6871 bigskyeconomicdevelopment.org
Billingsbusiness
Greg Kohn
Gathering peers By TOM HOWARD A fter retiring from R ocky M ountain C ollege , what does G reg K ohn do for an encore ? F or starters , he has embarked on a project to bring chief executives and business owners together so that they can share ideas and improve their businesses . Kohn is putting together CEO peer groups, regular meetings where business executives have a chance to discuss and share a wide variety of issues. Kohn has been active in business circles since moving to Billings eight years ago. He’s a former chair of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority’s board of directors and served as chairman of the board for Billings Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau. He continues to serve on a number of boards and was recently approved to the MetraPark board. Before coming to Billings, he owned several companies, so he’s familiar with the role of the CEO. “I can tell you that the adage ‘It’s lonely at the top’ is true,” Kohn said. “That’s why I’m excited about bringing CEO peer groups to Billings and expanding them throughout Montana.” Kohn recently became a chair and facilitator for Vistage International, a national peer advisory group. He sat down recently to discuss CEO peer groups and their impact on businesses. Reach him at greg.kohn@vistagechair.com or 406-371-5773.
Photo by LARRY MAYER
Who will be involved in these groups? The majority of participants are with companies that have revenue of $5 million per year or more, although I’ve invited some that are doing less than that.
then we followed up on that. How has the response been so far? I think I’ve had 43 RSVPs. About eight were by mail and the rest came through personal contact. I’ve got somewhere around 33 coming to the event. This will be an informational event, and I may do others later on. I haven’t decided yet whether I want to do another group, but I may have one group for CEOs, and one group for small businesses.
How often do these groups meet? They meet once a month. In addition, Vistage brings in national speakers eight times a year to discuss topics the group is interested Is there a cost involved? in. Vistage has the largest speaker network in Yes, there is a charge. However, the vast the United States. All the speakers are vetted majority of people in these groups see the and graded, and if they don’t hit a certain value of their financial commitment. A major- mark, they’re not invited back. This is the opity of the companies outdo their competitors. portunity for national speakers to come in and Over time that really adds up. talk one on one. Interesting. How was that measured? It was in a survey that Dunn & Bradstreet did from 2005 to 2009. Vistage members outperformed their competitiors by 6 percent. That’s pretty impressive, and it more than makes up for any expense. Is this being limited to the private sector? We will have some people from nonprofits that will be in there as well. One thing you need to know is that it’s a diverse group, with no competitors allowed to participate in the same group. We need total trust and confidentiality or it won’t work.
How did you get in touch with these businesses? Is it common for CEOs to share dePrimarily the majority of the contacts have tailed financial information about their been through my own networking. We also companies? sent letters out, using a mail campaign, and It’s my hope that as the group starts to Billingsbusiness
become more cohesive, they will be sharing confidential information such as financials. It even goes beyond that when the group starts working together. They will bring in personal issues as well that they’ll want their friends to help them with. And that’s when it really starts clicking.
Is there anything else involved in this process? In addition, I go out and work individually with each member as an executive coach. I’m not a consultant. I’m not telling them what to do, I’m not directing them. But I’m coaching them on issues that they have brought up in the group or issues that they would like me to work with them on. What kind of feedback to you get? One objection is that “I don’t have a whole day a month to take care of this.” But at the same time, what’s one day a month if you make the right decision? People really look forward to it because they get an opportunity to work on their business, not in their business.
February 2014
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Photo by LARRY MAYER R.D. Kirkness has revived the former Zig’s Lumber Co. store at 619 Daniel St. by opening a second Rock Creek Lumber.
Building on
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Rock Creek Lumber adds Billings location BILLINGSbusiness
By TOM HOWARD B illings ’ newest lumber yard , R ock C reek L umber , is emphasizing customer service and its employees ’ extensive background in the building trade .
“We have many years of experience here, so we can explain our products to the do-it-yourselfer,” said R.D. Kirkness, owner of Rock Creek Lumber, which is located in the former Ziggy’s Lumber Co. building at 619 Daniel St. The Billings store is a sister to the Rock Creek Lumber that Kirkness opened in Red Lodge in 1995. Like its Red Lodge counterpart, the Billings store will reflect a small-town atmosphere. Although the in-store sales staff can answer just about any question posed by a homeowner, contractors account for a large share of sales, Kirkness said. To cater to that professional client base, salesmen from Rock Creek also visit job sites to sell directly to contrac-
FREE
tors, and they offer free delivery, Kirkness said. The Red Lodge store has been doing well, and the time seemed right to add another lumber yard to the active Billings market, Kirkness said. Statistics indicate that building is on the rebound in Billings. In 2013, housing starts climbed to their pre-recession levels, with 409 single-family homes permitted by the city of Billings. That’s on par with pre-recession building activity in 2006 and 2007. Rock Creek Lumber was an exhibitor at the recent Builders and Remodelers Expo sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Billings. Kirkness noted that Red Lodge area builders have formed
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Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 8:30 AM-12 NOON
Big Sky EDA 222 N. 32nd St. #200, Billings, MT
Information on solar energy & financial incentives. Presentations by Chris Borton, Kathi Montgomery & Ivan Minks. Everyone Welcome. Please RSVP to 406-447-8029 or kroemer@lccountymt.gov Made possible by Lewis & Clark County, NorthWest Energy, Sage Mountain Center, USDA and DEQ Billingsbusiness
their own homeowners’ association that is affiliated with the Billings group. Members of the Red Lodge organization are also members of the Billings group. The former Zig’s Lumber Co. building dates to 1958. After Zig’s moved to its new location on Monad Road in 1997, the Daniel Street location was used for storage by School District 2 and later by a window company. Kirkness purchased the building and one acre of surrounding property. Part of his goal in starting the business is to revive an older part of town that’s home to warehouse and industrial businesses. The store carries Marvin and Jeld Wen windows, Pratt & Lambert paint, Makita tools and Sascho chinking for log homes.
However, Rock Creek doesn’t carry electrical or plumbing supplies, which are available at nearby businesses. Both Rock Creek lumber yards belong to Do It Best Corp., a cooperative out of Fort Wayne, Ind., that helps get better prices for independent businesses. Since the 1920s, four generations of Kirknesses have run businesses in Billings, he said, including his father, Neal Kirkness, who ran the Lions Den Lounge at West Park Plaza, now called West Park Promenade. R.D. went to work as a roofer while he was still in his teens. He later founded Kirkness Roofing, which he sold to employees.
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B oost in consumer spending raises hopes for growth Associated Press
to a 5.4 percent annual pace in the three months through November, WASHINGTON — Hopes are according to economists at JPMorrising that consumers will drive gan Chase. stronger growth in 2014 after they And global auto sales reached an stepped up spending at the end of all-time high in December, the bank last year in the United States and said. Europe. “It was a year of big improveThe outlook for spending is ment in consumer spending after brightening even though growth is two years of very weak growth,” said weakening in some large emerging David Hensley, a global economist at economies and slowing the sales of JPMorgan Chase. consumer product giants such as “Businesses were pleasantly surUnilever and Procter & Gamble. prised by the increase in consumpSeveral trends are boosting tion.” consumer spending in developed Even in Europe, where growth recountries: Inflation is low, enabling mains slow after the region emerged shoppers to stretch their dollars, from its longest-ever recession last euros and yen. The Federal Reserve, year, consumers appear willing to the Bank of England and other cen- spend more. Retail sales spiked 1.4 tral banks are keeping interest rates percent in November, the biggest super-low. Those low rates have increase in 12 years. made it easier for borrowers to afford In the United States, Morgan higher-cost items such as cars and Stanley economists forecast that appliances. consumer spending rose in the final Global retail sales growth jumped three months of the year at its fastest
pace in three years. Consumer spending in Japan could jump by as much as 7 percent in the first quarter of 2014, JPMorgan calculates. Much of that gain might reflect greater spending ahead of an April increase in a national sales tax, from 5 percent to 8 percent. Sales will likely fall back after that, making it harder to determine broader trends. With more consumers willing to open their wallets, businesses will also likely start spending more on machinery, computers and other equipment, Hensley said, providing an additional spark to growth. The International Monetary Fund expects world growth to reach 3.7 percent this year, up from 3 percent last year. That’s little changed from its October forecast. The good news in developed countries is partially offset by slower growth in many large emerging economies. Brazil, India and Turkey
have been raising interest rates to battle high inflation. Both high rates and rising prices are weighing on consumer spending in those countries. For big global consumer product companies such as Unilever, growth in the U.S. and Europe hasn’t been improving strongly enough to offset slowdowns elsewhere. The company, which makes Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Dove soap, and Lipton tea, said sales fell 3 percent last year to 49.8 billion euros ($67.5 billion). Profit rose 9 percent. “The growth that you see in the United States and some people get excited about is not enough to make a difference” to Unilever, Chief Executive Paul Polman told analysts. Ali Dibadj, an analyst at Bernstein Global Wealth Management, said Unilever’s results reflect a broader slowdown in growth for consumer products that will likely continue in 2014.
Consumer-product companies have invested heavily in emerging markets as growth in developed markets slowed. But this year, growth will likely pick up in developed markets and slow in emerging countries. The sales slowdown will likely force more cost cuts, Dibadj said. Procter & Gamble has been implementing a $10 billion costcutting program and trying to adjust its prices to stay competitive. In its most recent quarter, it held or expanded its market share in twothirds of its product categories globally and two-thirds to 70 percent of categories in North America. Cincinnati-based P&G will report its fiscal second-quarter results on Friday. Analysts expect net income of $1.20 per share, slightly below last year’s $1.22. Revenue is forecast to come in at $22.36 billion, up slightly from $22.18 billion a year ago.
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Billingsbusiness
Upcoming Chamber/ CVB Functions More details and RSVP: www. billingschamber.com or call 245-4111
SPONSORED BY THE BILLINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND CVB
G ET READY , B ILLINGS :
S OME BIG EVENTS ARE ON THE HORIZON Two million visitors travel to Billings annually. ... The financial impact to the local economy every year? $250 million.
Alex Tyson Alex Tyson is executive director of the Billings Tourism Business Improvement District and the Billings Convention and Visitors Bureau.
BILLINGSbusiness
Hopefully you’re positioned well for your 2014 business goals to be realized as we settle into the New Year. For the local tourism industry, this year’s successes are directly correlated to the tourism team’s efforts last year, the year before and the year before that. Networking, bids and negotiations from year’s prior help shape the success of the year ahead and the efforts made to fulfill the Chamber/Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Tourism Business Improvement District’s (TBID) missions to support local lodging facilities by putting “heads in beds,” if you will. Two million visitors travel to Billings annually. Some stay a night or more, others stop by to fill up gas tanks, shopping carts or bellies. The financial impact to the local economy every year? $250 million. It’s a major industry and it takes every tourism partner to help make it fruitful year after year. Currently, your local tourism team is busy getting some major events on the books and contracts signed for 2015, 2016 and beyond for the health of the meetings, conventions and sports segments of the local industry. Simultaneously, our team continues to work to position Billings as a leisure destination, a gateway to explore famous attractions within
southeast Montana as well as a gateway to Red Lodge, over the amazing Beartooth Highway and right into the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The local industry ended 2013 on a positive note particularly as we work to grow Billings as a sporting events hub. With the help of Sports Consultant, Dr. Chris Frye, we received word that the community will host the 2014 and 2016 NCAA Regional Cross Country Championships. Then, 2014 met us with the news that Billings was named host city for the 2015 Men’s and Women’s Great Northwest Athletic Conference National Basketball Championships (a March event). We look forward to working with the MSU Billings Athletic Office to make both events successful. And, as you may have already heard, following nearly a decade of talks and negotiations, we are finally able to shout from the Rimrocks that the BMW MOA International Rally will take place at Montana’s Trailhead in July of 2015. It may be nearly a year and a half away, but there is much work to be done in order to host more than 6,000 Beemers and their riders without a hitch. The Chamber/CVB/TBID staff continues to work with the BMW MOA office, TBID
stakeholders and MetraPark to be sure all preparations are underway, efficiently. From room blocks and packing store shelves to reader boards and prepping MetraPark grounds, we will no doubt need all hands on deck to make this a rally for the record books and Billings a place they’ll want to return to for years to come. And lastly, for this issue, but certainly not least, hundreds
State of the City/County
Salespersons’ Breakfast
Sponsored by MSU Billings 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11 Crowne Plaza Ballroom 27 N. 27th St.
Presented by First Interstate Bank 7-9 a.m. Thursday, March 20 Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark Archie Manning Presents!
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of journalists will converged on Montana’s Trailhead in July of 2016. The Outdoor Writers Association of America’s National Convention will be held in Billings. This group will be phenomenal to host, too. Stay tuned for more details in the months ahead. The first six months of 2014 will bring the Montana Governor’s Conference on Tourism, All Class State Wrestling, AA
Boys and Girls High School Basketball, State A Tennis Championships, AAU Grand Nationals Wrestling, Catholic Daughters of the America’s National Convention, and the Meat Cutters Association of Montana, to name a few. We hope our efforts to grow visitation help grow your bottom line. Here’s to a great year in tourism at Montana’s Trailhead. Presenting Sponsor
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February 2014
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Branching out
New plumbing supply wholesaler expanding to Billings
Photo by LARRY MAYER Dakota Supply Group and MDM Supply managers, from left: Todd Sisson, of Bozeman; MDM founder Lou Dumas, of Helena; Wade Love, of Billings; Dakota Supply chief executive Todd Kumm, of Fargo; and Billings store manager Roy Eskro look over the new building they will be remodeling on Carbon Street, off King Avenue West.
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Billingsbusiness
BILLINGS BUSINESS T odd K umm , chief executive of D akota S upply G roup , which is in the process of expanding its wholesale plumbing supply company to B illings , said he didn ’ t need to hold focus groups or develop a complicated marketing plan before deciding to expand to B illings . “We know the Billings market pretty well,” Kumm said. Last fall, Fargo-based DSG bought a Helena-based wholesale plumbing company called MDM Supply, which runs four Western Montana stores and serves the Billings area. Dakota Supply will open its first Billings location off King Avenue West this spring. “Well, for Dakota Supply Group, we’re in the Dakotas, and MDM was in western North Dakota, so this is a ‘fill in the blank’ area for us,” Kumm said. “This gives us lots of opportunity to grow. The economy is good, and it fits in really well with our market.” “One of the reasons we sold to Dakota Supply is we were impressed with the way they ran their company, very
customer-service oriented,” said Lou Dumas of Helena, who started MDM 20 years ago. Dumas is retiring and said he had wanted to open a Billings store for several years, but had to wait for the right opportunity. MDM Supply runs wholesale plumbing businesses in Helena, Kalispell, Bozeman and Missoula. This spring, a Billings store will open under the MDM name in the former Chrysler car dealership on Carbon Street across from Texas Roadhouse. The property has a good location with 6.2 acres, plenty of outside storage and room for trucks to load up, Kumm said. Keep in mind, if you’re a homeowner looking for a
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washer to repair your dripping faucet, the folks at MDM will probably send you down the street to a hardware store. MDM deals with licensed plumbers and contractors. The MDM partnership and move to Billings had to be the right opportunity for the Fargo company, he said. “It’s more than saying, ‘I want to be there,’ ” Kumm said. “It’s the right fit, the right people. They have a good work ethic. They have a wonderful reputation.” Employee-owned Dakota Supply operates in North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and now in Montana with the MDM purchase. The company searched for a Billings location for about half a year before buying the
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former Chrysler/Jeep dealership, which has been closed for about five years. After remodeling the 20,000-square-foot facility, MDM Supply will open in March or April with about eight to 10 employees. Roy Eskro of Billings will manage the store, which will
compete with a handful of other local wholesale plumbing companies. “We see Billings as a great opportunity. It’s important to serve your customers in the right way, if you want to grow in your communities,” said MDM’s Bozeman manager
Todd Sisson. Dakota Supply also sells products for utility metering, heating and cooling, water supplies and communications. In a few years, some of those products could be added to the plumbing line in Billings, Kumm said.
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SALES moves
A re you taking advantage of your ‘ windshield time ?’ Once you have a few questions prepared, a couple of ideas documented ... your confidence level entering the sales call will triple.
Jeffrey Gitomer Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling. Reach him at 704-333-1112 or email salesman@gitomer.com
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All outside salespeople have “windshield time” — the time you spend behind the wheel, or in some form of transportation, going to and from appointments. Windshield time is a critical time both for the anticipation of the sales call and for the aftermath of the sales call. Reality check: How are you taking advantage of that valuable time? Here are the options: Waste it. Invest it. Your choice. Most salespeople have a habit of doing the same thing when they get in the car. They either listen to their favorite radio station or, perhaps better, they listen to something that they can learn from. What do you listen to? What should you listen to? Be prepared to learn and be inspired. All at times, have that one CD or that one set of CDs that best resonate with you. Here are two of my alltime favorites: 1. “The Art of Exceptional Living” by Jim Rohn. (I carried this set of CDs in my car for a decade, and will listen to it again this year.) 2. “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale. Total inspiration. Listen once a month. Reality: Windshield time is your best time to prepare
mentally and emotionally before the call and review what happened after the call. I have 7.5 more ideas that I’d like to share with you about windshield time: 1. On your way to the call, identify the first two or three questions you want to ask your prospect. Voice to text them to yourself. Start the mental preparation for the call. I promise when you generate two or three questions, you will also generate an idea or two. 2. Make slides for each question before you go inside so that you are certain to ask
check of your life, and the best private coaching session you’ll ever receive. 7. Record the “wish-Iwoulda-crap-I-shoulda” for a minute or two immediately after it’s over. Take note of your impression of what happened, good or bad. 7.5. Record any promises you made, especially as they relate to additional info you need to send to the customer as well as deadlines for follow-up. Note: Never actually text while driving. If you don’t have voice to text capability, pull over to the side of the road. Pre-call reality: Once you have a few questions prepared, a couple of ideas docuthem. My first slide always 100 percent on the customer mented and your favorite rock reads, “Before we get started, and the sale. song playing in your head, I’d like to ask you a couple of 4. Pump it up. Listen to your confidence level entering questions.” The second you your favorite music just before the sales call will triple. generate the idea, voice to you enter the call. Get happy, Post-call reality: Once you text yourself the content and get excited, get your rhythm, “download” the after-thethen make the slide in the put some bounce in your step, call reality and listen to the lobby when you arrive. (This get your enthusiasm set on recording, document what requires getting there early, “high.” Music can do all of you should have done and not “on time.”) these things. document what still needs to 3. Voice to text as you think 5. Before the call, mentally be done so your mind will be of other things. This will both establish your expected out- fertile for the next call. ensure you remember the come. Think about the detail Biggest idea and aha: Win thoughts and it will clear your of it. Expect a “yes” before or lose the sale? Celebrate that mind. I cannot stress enough you start. outcome either way. Recogthe importance of zero mental 6. Listen to the recording nize that proper investment clutter before the sale. Get rid of your sales presentation as of windshield time will give of excess thought, no matter soon as you dare. You’ll laugh you a hell of a lot more Yes! how small, so your focus is and cry. It’s the biggest reality celebrations. Billingsbusiness
O
ON management
T hese 10 lessons will help your business decisions
Whether you are an individual or an organization, you must keep your compass aligned to the virtues that guide you.
Dave Power Dave Power is the founder of J.D. Power and Associates. For information, visit www.davepowerbook.com.
Billingsbusiness
After 50 years working with a range of companies, as well as founding and running my own company, J.D. Power and Associates, I have observed a good deal, and come away with a few thoughts about how to have the best shot at success in business. The businesses I’ve seen grow, adapt and thrive are the ones that keep a focus on satisfying customers by listening to them, anticipate their needs and desires, and maintain their organization’s prioritizing of these principles. Whether I’m speaking with business school students or seasoned executives, my advice incorporates the 10 basic lessons that I’ve learned throughout my career: 1. Listen to your customers, your employees, and your stakeholders. I have witnessed too many car manufacturers move further away from achieving satisfied customers by refusing to listen to them. One example that sticks in my mind is Peugeot back in the 1980s. They were trying to broaden their appeal and expand their share of the American car market, but they were unwilling to listen to customer complaints about difficulties starting their advanced fuelinjected cars. Peugeot was an
early adopter of fuel injection, and American customers were flooding the engine by pumping the gas, something that was necessary in conventional engines at that time. Customers saw this as a quality issue, but the company held fast, confident that fuel injection was superior. No doubt they were right, but by not listening and adapting to their customers they lost them, and by the early 1990s they had to abandon the American market. 2. Remember who the client is. In a B2B world, it is the organization or business you serve, not just the person sitting across from you. It is critical that you not serve the desires of the representative assigned to work with you to the disservice of the organization. On the flipside, you must feel empowered to not let that person become an obstacle to the organization receiving the information necessary to take full advantage of your services. I frequently encountered a situation where the person assigned to work with us put up roadblocks to information reaching further up the chain of command because it undermined his own position within the organization. I worked around this by
sending letters directly to top leaders or using the press to get out the critical information. 3. Empower your employee to be curious, to do the right thing for the business, to speak up. You need the right kind of leadership and a strong culture to make it work, but there is nothing more valuable. At J.D. Power, if an employee came up with an idea, they owned it. This engendered tremendous initiative and loyalty, and may have been one of the greatest keys to J.D. Power’s lasting success. 4. Relationships matter, but they need to be built on a bedrock of respect and trust, not just friendships. I never approached business relationships as requiring glad-handing or wining and dining. In the beginning, I simply couldn’t afford it, but as J.D. Power’s success widened, I found that true relationships with executives came from providing them with the clear, actionable information they needed to do their jobs, not time on the golf course. 5. Have empathy, be kind. Of course this applies to all of the individuals in your own organization who come together to provide the support
you need to run your business — from your CFO to the cleaning crew. It’s a Golden Rule in my book. I found that it inspires employees to show that you care about them enough to acknowledge them, and ask about their families. 6. Be willing to look at situations from unusual directions to seek the truth. Don’t be afraid to take a counter-intuitive position in order to generate better ideas. The Jesuit education I received at the College of the Holy Cross provided a basis in questioning the status quo, a trait that has served me well. 7. Accept change. I really believe that you need to anticipate changes, be flexible, and move with the trends. We are in the Information Age today. The rise of the Internet and its impact on retailing is the most recent example of the ways companies must adapt in order to survive, but there has never been a time when change was not actively under way. 8. Stay true to your values. Part of your brand is what you are, and at the core what you are is made up of your values. Whether you are an individual or an organization, you must keep your compass aligned to the virtues that
guide you. At our company, I really felt that we kept the organization focused on the Three: Independence, Impact, and Integrity. 9. Find information and inspiration in the work of others. I have long been a student of the writings of Walter Wriston, Peter Drucker, W. Edwards Deming, and Alvin Toffler. Their observations are still compelling today, as are myriad others who can offer insight and perspective that will be invaluable to your pursuits. 10. Don’t torture the data till it confesses. Don’t be blind to all but the good news you may want to hear. Consciously or unconsciously interpreting information that comes across your desk in a way that supports past decisions rather than illuminates needed improvements is short-sighted and won’t bring you closer to the satisfied customers who will ultimately dictate your success. These 10 principles guided me through a successful and satisfying career. The individuals I dealt with who shared a similar view of business invariably had the respect of clients and colleagues, and the markers of success were realized for them as well. February 2014
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E xperts say 2014 could be good for small - business owners Associated Press
“A lot of barriers to starting a business have been dropped, and as a consequence more people are getting into business,” he said. Many small-business owners More businesses, however, transstruggled in 2013 as they faced a soft economy, increased costs and confu- lates into increased competition for customers, capital and employees. sion associated with the Affordable And new rules and regulations that Care Act and the uncertainty of the will impact those businesses are federal government shutdown. Ted Zoller, a professor at Universi- expected in the new year. Small-business owners need to ty of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler stay abreast of changes and how they Business School professor and the will impact them, advocates said. director of the Center for Entrepre“On the federal level there are over neurial Studies said he is “fairly optimistic” about 2014 for small-business 4,000 regulations in the pipeline to be implemented,” said Gregg Thompowners. son, state director of the National An “entrepreneurs’ generaFederation of Independent Business. tion,” has emerged in recent years, “Some 800 of those 4,000 have a and Zoller thinks the country will direct impact on the small-business continue to see a rise in the founding of new companies. Entrepreneurship community.” Paychex, a small-business payroll, has been “democratized,” he said, and there are more tools available for human resource, and benefits services founders to leverage capital, technol- provider, identified top federal regulatory issues that owners need to pay ogy and legal information.
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attention to in 2014. First is the Affordable Care Act. Starting Jan. 1, most people are required to carry insurance on themselves or face a tax. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees aren’t required to offer insurance, but those that do will need to comply with regulations that take effect in 2014. “One specific area of potential activity is the possible change in the current S-Corp structure to reduce an owner’s ability to scale back their payroll tax obligations,” the report states. The U.S. Department of Labor will also likely continue its aggressive enforcement of misclassification of employees as independent contractors and minimum wage and overtime provisions, the report states. As the economy continues to improve, Zoller said, interest rates will slowly rise, but there will still likely
be “extraordinarily favorable rates” in 2014. As more companies open, the competition for capital will increase, but some businesses could have new ways to obtain capital. In October, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sent out for public comment proposed rules that would allow companies to offer and sell securities through crowdfunding. Zoller expects the new rules to be finalized in 2014. Forty-two percent of smallbusiness owners said that finding new customers is their top concern, according to a survey conducted by Internet marketing firm Yodle. Jeremy Sisk, president of Xperience4Higher, a Durham smallbusiness marketing firm, said owners need to establish an online presence, either with a website or through social media. “And then also planning some
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form of digital ad spend, especially if they need customers immediately,” Sisk said. The Yodle survey also found that 23 percent of owners don’t have a marketing budget and more than half spend less than $500. Sisk said owners should set aside from 5 to 20 percent of their budget for marketing. In general, business-to-business firms can spend less, but business-toconsumer operations should consider spending more. Some digital marketing shifts in 2014 include the continuing trend of social media platforms giving more weight to paid content versus organic activity, Sisk said. Web searches will also continue to give more weight to sites that advertise and give advice or instructions. For example, party planners might also want to include a blog with hosting tips on their business websites.
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HELENA — Montana, known around the world as having some of the highest-quality beef genetics, is continually looking for new markets. This year, after receiving funding, the Montana Department of Agriculture meat and livestock marketing officer Marty Earnheart, Montana State University Interim Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture and Agricultural Experiment Stations Dr. Glenn Duff, and two Montana beef genetic industry producers are traveling to South Africa to assess the South African beef genetics market. “Our high-quality beef genetics are a multimillion-dollar industry, with demand growing constantly,” said Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. “Usually, after visiting markets and getting to know our counterparts overseas, we can begin expanding our reach, and generating business opportunities for Montana’s beef genetics industry. What an opportunity for two representatives from the industry to travel to South Africa.” The South African beef sector has been identified as an emerging market for Montana’s beef genetics industry (embryos, semen and live
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animals for breeding purposes). A 2012 report by the Republic of South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, found a beef consumption deficit, consuming more beef than it produced. Further, market analysis found growing beef consumption across Africa, with population on the continent set to double by 2050. “Capitalizing on this program has been a boon for Montana beef producers in the genetics business. The work done by the Montana Department of Agriculture and Ms. Earnheart has had a profound impact on the Montana beef industry; for example, the mission to Russian in 2010 has generated some $23 million of trade revenue for Montana’s beef genetic industry,” said Dr. Glenn Duff, Interim Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Stations at Montana State University. The Montana Department of Agriculture applied for funds through U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc.; both the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program awarded funding to the department. USLGE is a not-for-profit, nationwide trade association that represents the international marketing interests of the dairy, beef, sheep, swine, and horse breeding industries.
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I February 2014
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ANDERSON SERVICE, INC.
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FORKLIFT, INC.
February 2014
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special advertising section
360°Office Solutions Brand new, state-of-the-art office showroom provides 21st century solutions for today’s Businesses
By Allyn Hulteng Photos By Larry Mayer
Frank Cross has witnessed quantum change take place in the world of business. A second-generation business owner, Cross is the CEO of 360° Office Solutions, a company that has grown exponentially from a small business started by his father 68 years ago.
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“We provide solutions. Whether you run a
call center or a
body shop, We help
business oWners maximize
efficiency.”
— frank cross,
ceo, 360° office solutions
Left: 360° Office Solutions recently consolidated operations in a newly remodeled, state-of-the-art building located at 3676 Pierce Parkway on Billings’ West End. Inset: The new 360° Office Solutions logo and mission statement are featured prominently in the entry. Above Right: The beautiful showroom features a large array of office furniture and equipment including the latest in digital technology. Right: The vestibule with large, electronic doors protects the showroom from winter weather.
“Originally we were in the printing business,” Cross noted. Over time the business evolved. By 1950, the company had expanded its services to include office supplies. Cross’ father changed the name to Reporter Printing & Supply Co. to reflect the expansion. In the years following, Reporter earned a solid reputation for providing superior products and excellent service. As digital technology began to emerge, the company responded by adding computers, printers and other new devices to the product lineup. “In a way, we’ve come full circle,” Cross said. “The infamous ‘paperless world’ never really happened. Instead of documents going away, the printing shifted from being outsourced to being done in-house.” Propelled by technology, that shift meant that businesses needed new equipment and software to run efficiently. Moreover, owners needed access to technical expertise for training and troubleshooting. “We provide solutions,” Cross said. “Whether you run a call center or a body shop, we help business owners maximize efficiency.”
congraTuLaTions 360° office soLuTions
We are proud To be parT of your
consTrucTion Team
Thank t hank you! you! ou! 1201 4th Avenue North Billings, Montana 59101
(406)248-3700
Billingsbusiness
February 2014
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special advertising section
21st century showroom
Cross and his executive team work hard to make things easier for business owners. As a part of their overall strategy, the company recently consolidated its Billings operations by combining four separate locations into a single facility. Located at 3676 Pierce Parkway on the city’s West End, the newly renovated 60,000 square foot building houses a beautiful destination showroom and state-of-the-art distribution center. “It was a ‘brand new’ five-year old-building,” Cross said, noting that the original tenants had built the facility and then closed less than a year after opening. Cross and his partners had been contemplating a single store for some time so when Rimrock Foundation offered to purchase their building on First Avenue North, they jumped. But the partners had to work fast. “From the time we purchased this building to completion we had just 100 days,” he said. The partners contracted
Top: The new facility features a state-of-the-art warehouse and distribution center. Right: Frank Cross, CEO of 360° Office Solutions (standing third from left) with his business partners (left to right): Craig Bartholomew, Dan Muller and Greg Reise. Far right: 360° Office Solutions carries specialty lines of furniture, including furnishings for educational settings and for health care providers.
Congratulations 360° Office Solutions Thank you for letting us be a part of you beautiful new building!
JEFF & LUCI WOLLSCHLAGER
406.321.2280 alinedrafting@gmail.com Alinemt.com 30
I February 2014
24 HOUR SERVICE
• Remodel • Commercial • Data Cabling
• Service Work • Fire Alarm
Congratulations
360º OFFICE SOLUTIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL NEW BUILDING!
406.245.9551
www.ACTIONELECTRICINC.com Billingsbusiness
special advertising section with High Tech Construction (recently acquired by Dick Anderson Construction) to serve as general contractor. “High Tech did a phenomenal job turning what was basically a large warehouse into our vision for a 21st century business facility,” he said. Cross also credits Luci Cross Wollschlager who drafted plans for the renovation. “Luci grew up in the business. She interviewed each of the four partners and locked in their individual ideas and concepts into a unified vision. It took a
lot of work and communication to pull everything together,” he said. The result, Cross noted, was even better than anyone had imagined.
Experts in product knowledge Although open to the public, many people are surprised to find that 360° Office Solutions is actually set up as a showroom rather than a true retail store. “We showcase our furniture and technology, and our highly-trained staff work with individual customers to
Congratulations
360 0 Office Solutions
We are proud to be involved with this project! 2915 Hannon Rd.
406-245-6100
Your One Source. LIGHTING AND HOME DÉCOR
Congratulations
360 OFFICE SOLUTIONS!
Top: The building features a comfortable, fully equipped employee break room. Above: The new facility has wide, spacious aisles to allow ample room for forklifts to manuver pallets on the shelves. Next page: SIx doors situated on the receiving dock allows for fast shipping and receiving .
100 24th Street West 406.655.7949 Billingsbusiness
www.onesourcelighting.com February 2014
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more need
time?
congratulations 360 office solutions on your new location Save a trip to the bank by depositing your business’s checks right at your office! Remote Deposit is a convenient, secure way to get your banking done, leaving you plenty of time to get back to business. visit your local branch or firstinterstate.com
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special advertising section “Keurig developed a new machine that brews individual cups of coffee quickly – which was great for a break room,” Cross said. “What we didn’t immediately realize is how important it is for people to have a variety of delicious coffee flavors to choose from.” The partnership with Keurig opened a new segment of business where 360° Office Solutions could service a business’
break room needs, including cups, creamer, plates, pretzels – along with their office products and supplies. “It’s another way we make things efficient and easy for the customer,” he said. Looking around the new building, Cross smiles. “I love what I do,” he said. “I can’t wait to come to work each day.”
Congratulations 360o Office Solutions On Your New Location! We Will Miss Your Downtown Presence Free Local Delivery, Exceptional Customer Service, Qualified Service Techs
514 North 32nd Street • 245-3029 • Westernoffice.net
demonstrate the products,” Cross said. In addition to the showroom, the building houses the customer service center, sales representatives, technicians and a huge warehouse and distribution facility. All of the partners and office staff also have offices on site. “Each office is designed completely differently so we can show customers just some of the many unique styles of furnishings, wall systems and storage options currently available,” Cross noted.
Beyond basics
When people think of furnishing an office, typically they envision desks, chairs, storage units and computers. But, Cross notes, there are many other kinds of specialty furnishings. 360° Office Solutions carries several unique lines, including furnishings for educational institutions and health care environments.
Billingsbusiness
“Hospitals, for example, need bedside cabinets, wardrobes, recliners for patients and chairs for waiting rooms. And furnishings must be anti-microbial and able to withstand strong cleaning chemicals,” Cross explained. Similarly, schools, universities and corporate training centers all require specialty furnishings, and 360° Office Solutions offers the latest in classroom furniture. “We work with Billings School District 2 as well as districts in Bozeman and Helena,” Cross said.
Kick-start
For many business professionals, one thing that hasn’t changed is having a delicious cup of coffee to kick start their day. So when a new coffee vendor approached Cross about carrying their line, he agreed.
Congratulations
360 0 oFFiCE solutions on your nEw oFFiCE solutions CEntEr! PiErCE Flooring & DEsign is ProuD to bE Part oF your ProjECt!
Commercial Division
pierceflooring.com • 652-4666 • 2950 King Ave. West February 2014
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special advertising section
Montana Radiator Works E ,
XPANDED WAREHOUSE SERVICE SHOP ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE REGION
BY BRITTANY CREMER • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LARRY MAYER
Offering superior service since 1915, Montana Radiator Works has recently expanded its business to a new 16,000-square-foot facility conveniently located at 5601 Interstate Ave. “The new location creates ease of access off the Interstate for our customers and increases efficiency,” said Montana Radiator Works owner, Finn Origer. Montana Radiator Works, which provides truck fleet cooling component maintenance, parts distribution to collision repair shops and cooling component distribution, had been located at 536 South 18th Street West since 1975. 34
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“The expanded space allows
for us To conTinue To make good on our promise To provide The highesT qualiTy producTs and services To our cusTomers in a Timely
fashion. our cusTomers
TrusT us, and
we’re happy To
serve.”
— Finn Origer
owner, monTana radiaTor works
“The former space was leased, and I wanted to be able to own the space,” Origer said, adding that increasing warehouse space and service capabilities were also factors in the decision. Hardy Construction was hired as the general contractor for the build.The crew broke ground in May 2013; by November 25, the facility was complete.
Expert service and a smile
The expert staff at Montana Radiator works has a combined 147 years of experience, with several employees amassing more than 20 years working for the business. “The staff is professional, highly proficient and enjoys what they do,” Origer said. “We’ve really worked hard to create a successful niche business for ourselves.” Montana Radiator Works is the largest automotive and industrial radiator facility from Calgary to Denver and Seattle to Minneapolis, offering cooling system service and repair, component service and repair, radiator rebuilds and custom radiator fabrication. Origer has owned the business since 2006 and has enjoyed seeing it flourish. Oil play in the Bakken has increased parts demand for heavy machinery, Origer said, adding that regional petroleum companies like Sanjel are also serviced by Montana Radiator Works. Montana Radiator Works also owns an on-site 1-800-RADIATOR & A/C franchise, allowing their business partners to access inventory in more than 200 locations and ship parts with the click of a button.
Thanks Montana Radiator Works for choosing Beartooth Bank to help your business Grow!
Opposite page: Earth tones and cultured stone accents highlight the building’s exterior, mirroring the rustic aesthetic of the surrounding area. Below: Corrugated steel and stained concrete flooring accent the building’s entryway and waiting area.
Finn Origer
Owner Montana Radiator Works
Curt Kelley
Chief Credit Officer Beartooth Bank
4130 King Ave West • Billings, Montana 59106
406.294.6500 Billingsbusiness
February 2014
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special advertising section
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW FACILITY As the selected General Contractor we would like to extend a special thank you to all the subcontractors and material providers that helped make this project a success!
Montana Radiator Works
420 N. 25th St. Billings, MT 59101 (406)252-0510 | www.hardymt.com
Three generations providing construction services since 1953
Your hard work has paid off!
Congratulations on your new building!
1402 Central Avenue • 406-256-6016 36
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Nuts and bolts
The building itself can be sectioned off into four parts: service waiting area, administrative offices, warehouse and service shop. Embellished with corrugated steel kickboards and rustic charm, the service waiting area is inviting and comfortable. A warm, toffee-colored color palette continues through the entry way back to the administrative offices. “We visited with our employees and captured feedback for the color scheme and design,” Origer said. Stained concrete floors offer both functionality and a rough aesthetic. Considering that service people would be walking in and out, the building needed flooring that would look nice and hold up, Origer said. Employees at Montana Radiator Works can enjoy a quick Opposite page respite in the building’s break room, which also acts as a conduit counterclockwise: The between the administrative offices and warehouse. customer waiting room Rows of perfectly labeled cardboard boxes line the shelves features the “MRW of the facility’s warehouse, ready and waiting to be shipped to Radiator Man.” Montana Origer’s customers. Radiator Works owner, Finn Origer, and his “The space is clean, organized and functional—everything staff have offices just you’d want in a warehouse,” Origer said. adjacent the facility’s warehouse. Employees at Montana Radiator Works can enjoy a quick break in the facility’s break room. One of three over-sized garage doors. Right and below: The service shop at Montana Radiator Works features a two-ton crane, three 14-foot garage door entry points and smartlyappointed radiator maintenance area dubbed “the radiator room.”
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Adjacent the warehouse is the shop area, which is comprised of three super-sized garage doors, an overhead crane system and three separate bays to solder and repair radiators—aptly dubbed,
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special advertising section
Congratulations Montana Radiator Works
We are proud to be involved with this project! 2915 Hannon Rd.
406-245-6100
Congratulations on your new location!
We appreciate being a part of your construction team.
Congratulations Montana Radiator Works! At Pierce Flooring & Design we appreciate being a part of your new project.
Commercial Division
pierceflooring.com • 652-4666 • 2950 King Ave. West 38
I February 2014
the “radiator room.” Another point of pride, Montana Radiator Works has a very sophisticated wastewater management system. Any wastewater from servicing is collected in the facility’s drain system, which then feeds into a collector where it is captured and filtered. “Safety and service rule above all,” Origer added. The crane, which is positioned overhead on rollers, runs the full length of the shop.The crane that is currently in place has a two-ton capacity, but the space was designed for room to grow with the capacity to eventually house two five-ton cranes, said Hardy Construction Project Manager, J.D. Broadbent. “That was pretty much the only special design consideration we had to focus on,” Broadbent said. “Aside from dealing with Top: Organized parts boxes heavy rainfall in May, the job went very smoothly and we hit our are sitting on shelves in target completion date,” he said. the warehouse at Montana Origer echoed those sentiments and added that he couldn’t be Radiator Works, waiting to be shipped across the region. more pleased with how the new facility turned out. Above: Rows of stacked “The expanded space allows for us to continue to make good on inventory eight layers high fill our promise to provide the highest quality products and services the warehouse at Montana to our customers in a timely fashion,” Origer said. “Our customers Radiator Works. trust us, and we’re happy to serve.” Billingsbusiness
BETTER business
O wn a small business ?
Y ou should work to improve your brand
Branding is just as important as ever to retain and attract customers.
Erin T. Dodge Erin T. Dodge is an editor for the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Montana. Contact the bureau at spokane.bbb.org.
Billingsbusiness
Brand loyalty, or that need for must-have goods, has declined, according to Deloitte’s three-year study on how Americans buy and use pantry goods. Consumers are embracing store brands, coupons and loyalty programs. This trend toward frugality is not surprising, considering the state of the economy during the duration of the study. From the study, we can guess that, for pantry goods at least, the aspects that differentiated the brand items from the generic ones didn’t overcome the cost difference. Yet, not all brand-name goods have faced a mass exodus from consumers, according to the study. This could be attributed to different levels of economic affluence of those polled. It could also be because the appeal of some brands is strong enough to hold tough during a poor economy. What does this mean for your business? The answer is that branding is just as important as ever to retain and attract customers. A 2010 Pew Foundation survey found that Americans look more favorably on small businesses than any other institution in the country. Small businesses are doing it right: treating their customers
like human beings, living up to their word and connecting with their communities. When your brand is well thought out and well delivered, all of these ideas are conveyed along with what makes you worth it to the customer. Many people think of the look and feel when they think “brand.” But your brand is more than just a look and feel. If branding is new to your business or if you are looking to review or overhaul your brand, the Better Business Bureau offers the following tips: n Define (review) your brand. What is your mission? What qualities do you want consumers and competitors to associate with your company? What do they already think? What benefits and solutions do you provide? n Be consistent. Write down your messaging and use it everywhere. Make sure every employee knows the message and lives the message. n Be — you guessed it — consistent. Create templates and standards for your marketing materials that use the same color scheme, logo placement, look and feel. Your website, product packaging, brochure, nametags, invoices, store signage and
everything else should feel unified. n Deliver on your promises. When you defined your brand, you made promises to the consumer. If you always (and I mean always) live up to those promises, then customers will return and they may bring others along with them. If the idea of branding seems overwhelming, take it one step at a time. Look at how other businesses are branding themselves. How do you compare? How are you different? Ask your customers what they
value that brings them back to you. Dig deep. Be honest if your business is lacking on a promise. Be sure to commit to your brand and the values you have defined. Consistently message and live your brand. Reliability matters. Whether your business is just starting out or well established, consider tapping into the resources available from local, state and federal government agencies and organizations. Across Montana, 10 Small Business Development Centers provide “no cost, extensive, one-onone, long-term professional business advising, low-cost
training and other specialized services,” according to the U.S. Small Business Association website, www.sba.gov. Consider forming business relationship and partnerships with organizations you can trust. The Better Business Bureau serving Eastern Washington, North Idaho and Montana provides online resources at spokane.bbb.org/ business/, including the Code of Advertising principles. When marketing and advertising your brand, these principles provide important guidance for keeping your brand’s promises. February 2014
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Banking on Billings
western security bank at 24th and grand dOes an abOut-face By Brenda Maas Photography by Casey Page
Poised on one of the busiest intersections in the City of Billings, the Western Security Bank building at 2401 Grand Ave. recently received an exterior re-arrangement and first-floor remodel.The 1970s-era, four-story structure was standing long before the words “West End” were part of the local vocabulary. Although updating the décor was a secondary objective, it was not the motivating factor. “The absolutely number one reason for the remodel was safety for our customers,” notes Jim Walker, president of Western Security Bank.“Our drive-thru traffic was backing up into the congested intersection at 24th and Grand.” The prime location sees approximately 16,500 vehicles pass every day, according to the City of Billings website. With that type of traffic, safety is a prime concern. Each of the six new drive-thru stations is staggered and outfitted with a state-of-the art video communication system so that customers in cars can see their personal teller even though their car is pointed away from the teller window. Branch manager Perry Schaff estimates that 70 percent of the teller business is done via the drive-thru.
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“Our gOal inside was basically tO prOvide mOre
lObby space, mOre space fOr bOth persOnal
and business banking alOng with the new teller
arrangement.” —eric simOnsen,
principal,
a & e architects
The pre-construction process began more than six years ago. The bank was eventually able to purchase and demolish two residential homes to the west, allowing for an expanded parking lot and adding space to re-direct drive-up traffic from the tight east side of the building to the more spacious west side. We basically rotated the design 180-degrees both inside and out, added Walker.
Maximizing space
Prior to the construction project, Western Security Bank had four drive-thru options sandwiched between the building and 24th St. W. By adding 2,570 square feet to the west side of the newly-expanded building, Eric Simonsen, principal, and Chad Schreiner, architect at A&E, were able to increase the drive-thru to six stations, including two lanes dedicated to commercial business. “With six lanes, stacked four cars deep if necessary, we can accommodate 24 cars,” notes Walker. All of those cars are now off the street and not impeding traffic. While that may seem like a bit much, Perry Schaff, branch manager since 2007, estimates that at least 70 percent of the bank’s teller traffic is handled via the drive-thru. The east side was converted to parking spots with room for overflow to the far west of the drive-thru area.
All angles
While bumping out a wall or two seems simple enough, the 40-year-old building posed a few challenges. “In terms of design, the biggest challenge was the geometry and
shape of the building—it’s on a 30-degree angle grid,” says Simonsen. “Reconfiguring the existing space and then adding space was the most interesting.” The building, which was drafted in 1972, falls into a 70s modernist style. Simonsen noted that the building won a design award when it was first constructed. “Our goal was to respect what was there but make it fit in and update it,” he says. “We added a new element without departing from the building’s form.” Inside, the floor plan flip-flopped to accommodate the new drivethru teller location.To service the new drive-thru lanes, both the lobby and drive-thru teller stations are now oriented on the western wall, including an additional 1,705 square feet of space.The six lanes outside are served by four tellers via a state-of-the-art video communication system. Lobby patrons are served by tellers at six interior walk-up stations. The windows that the drive-thru tellers use face west-southwest and have the added bonus of bringing additional natural light into the expansive lobby. In addition, new lighting throughout the space is highlyefficient and makes the lobby even brighter. “Our goal inside was basically to provide more lobby space, more space for both personal and business banking along with the new teller arrangement,” says Simonsen. “In addition, we updated the finishes throughout.” Prior to the renovation, the bank had only one private office, noted Schaff. Now six offices allow bank personnel to work with clients in privacy, yet windowed walls keep the natural light streaming into the
congratulations Western security bank
We are proud to be part of your
construction team thank t hank you! you! ou! 1201 4th Avenue North Billings, Montana 59101
(406)248-3700
Billingsbusiness
February 2014
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special advertising section central lobby and allow employees to see lobby traffic. Walker points to the “Cyber Bar”as another feature implemented for Western Security Bank customers. Located just inside the eastern entrance, the kiosk has an Internetconnected computer so that clients can access their accounts, apply for a loan or even apply for a job. Some customers feel more secure using the connection right in the bank, Walker noted.
Open for business
Customer care throughout the construction process was a priority. For example, Schaff pointed out that if customers needed to access the safe deposit boxes, they had a personal escort and were outfitted with safety equipment, like a hard hat, as they traversed the work zone. In addition, Western provided a temporary area in a trailer for customers to open accounts or work with a banker outside
of the construction zone. When it came to awarding a contract, Walker called on High Tech Construction, which was recently acquired by Dick Anderson Construction of Helena. “Based on the quality of their work on our facility at Wicks and Main, we went straight to High Tech,”Walker explained. “They have an outstanding reputation in the community, plus they have done a lot of banks, and that helps.”
Regarding subcontractors, Walker emphasizes building relationships and doing business with those who bank at Western Security Bank. Although the project, which started on March 1, 2013, finished about 30 days behind schedule, most of the delay was contributed to the heavy rains of last spring, a situation no one can control. “When you remodel an existing building, you always run into additional challenges,”
Congratulations Western Security Bank! 3307 Grand Avenue Billings, Montana
Phone: 256-8200
We are proud to have been part of your remodel team!
Congratulations
Western seCurity Bank on your neWly remodeled Bank PierCe Flooring & design is grateFul to Be Part oF your ProjeCt!
Commercial Division
pierceflooring.com • 652-4666 • 2950 King Ave. West 42
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Top: This landing spot in the main lobby allows customers to check their account security, open an account or even apply for a job. Above: The remodeled lobby features new flooring, lighting and a brighter interior, making for a more welcoming atmosphere. Billingsbusiness
special advertising section
Congratulations Western Security Bank Thank You for choosing Associated Glass to be on your team!
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Prior to the remodel, bank personnel had only one office; now they have six private offices for working with customers.
says Walker. “So the cost did exceed the budget, due to issues had to be addressed.” While most of the work involved the exterior and main floor, the remodel included new windows, a new HVAC system, new lighting and an additional restroom on the main floor.The second floor houses Western Security Bank’s operations call center. “If a customer calls with a problem on their account, they are talking to someone right here in Billings,” says Walker. The third floor houses the real estate processing center—all the work is done locally—and the fourth floor is currently open for lease.
Giving back
Support Network. “It is more than a dollar thing,” says Lisa Gilbertson, Western Security Bank Director of Marketing. “Our goal is to physically see that when we contribute, someone in Yellowstone County will wake up to a better life. It’s just important to give back to the community—to be part of the community.” In the past, Western has worked with the Adult Resource Council to purchase a commercial oven for the Meals on Wheels program and Western employees rolled up their sleeves to paint the building’s basement for use with their senior tax preparation program. “We are really proud of this program,” adds Schaff. “It has a lasting impact.”
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Relationship-building is a priority for Western Security Bank, Walker continued. He Community threads points to the bank’s distinctive Hands of Help The essence of Western Security Bank, Program. via acquisitions and mergers, has been part The bank’s board of directors wanted to of the Billings community since 1898. It was make a bigger impact with its philanthropic chartered in May of 2001, and Walker has efforts, so the Hands of Hope program was served as president since that day. With 160 created. Each year they select four local employees, Western Security Bank has seven non-profit organizations and branches in the Billings provide financial support.They area. Western Security Bank at also leverage advertising to The downtown location, 2401 Grand Ave. create public awareness and, at 2812 1st Ave. N. across will celebrate its new via their employee volunteers, from the Northern Hotel, look in February: provide physical assistance with will receive an exterior Customer Appreciation Week everything from a collecting facelift in the coming February 17-21 more than 1,000 toothbrushes months. for the backpack program to “With all the changes Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: February 19 building playgrounds. In 2014, downtown, it’s time for us Hands of Hope will assist to improve our building Business After Hours: Family Service, Inc., Special down there, too,” notes February 12 K Ranch, YWCA and Family Walker.
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TRAVEL &leisure
T ry these guidelines for tipping when you travel
We typically receive better service when we offer gratuities, so we want to be sure to tip appropriately — not too little and not too much.
Billie Ruff Billie Ruff is owner of Travel Cafe. Reach her at travelcafeonline.com
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Need some tips on tipping while traveling? Here are some good old standards, and some new thoughts and ideas. Many travelers are unsure about the amount they should tip while traveling. From their taxi driver to room service, it often remains a mystery. But, we all know we typically receive better service when we offer gratuities, so we want to be sure to tip appropriately — not too little and not too much. Today only 40 percent of U.S. hotel guests tip housekeeping. But those hardworking folks help keep your home away from home much more tolerable when you are a road warrior. So, here are some standard guidelines to consider. I usually tip the hotel airport shuttle driver $2 to $3 per bag, especially for the heavier bags that he hoists into the van for me. For the valet drivers, it is $2 to $5 depending on the location. Larger cities typically require higher tips. I tip when I pick up the car, but not when I drop it off. For the hotel bellmen, it is $1 to $5 per bag delivered to your room. I gauge the
amount of that tip by the speed at which my bag arrives in my room, and, of course, the friendliness of the person. A heavy bag delivered with a
smile and placed on the luggage rack for me is definitely worth a five spot in my book. Oftentimes, room service tabs come with a service
charge listed. Be sure to watch for that — it is the gratuity in most cases. I’ve even had room service attendants point it out to me as their gratuity, which is refreshing. Short of that service charge listed, however, 15 to 20 percent of the total bill is standard. If I’ve forgotten my toothpaste or need more hangers delivered to the room (yes, you can request extras), it is typically $2 for those special deliveries. Housekeeping tips seem to vary the most based on hotel type (luxury resort, chain business hotels, boutique hotels, B&B’s, etc.). The average is $2 to $4 per day based on the service you receive. If services include items like turn-down service and twice a day towel refreshing, $5 to $10 per day. There is no need to tip someone who comes to your room to repair something that should already be operational. As a matter of fact, the last time my television didn’t work and it required that a technician come to my room and tried to repair and ultimately replaced the televi-
sion, he actually offered me a bottle of wine for the trouble. That was a classy touch, and I promptly took him up on his offer. A good concierge can make your stay extra special, especially in larger cities where restaurant choices and entertainment options are endless. They can recommend special experiences and get the best tickets through their special connections, so they are well deserving of that extra thank you in the form of a gratuity. For restaurant reservations the standard is $5 to $10, and for tickets to special events and hard-to-get tickets, $50 is not uncommon. Tip your doorman $1 to $3 if he hauls your bags to the front desk for you, and $5 if he hails you a cab. If your taxi driver doesn’t scare you to death weaving in and out of traffic while talking on his phone and pounding on his horn, it is usually 15 percent of the fare. So, don’t be afraid to tip while traveling — it will make your travels just a little more comfortable and your service a little friendlier. Billingsbusiness
F ed S urvey : 17% of workers expect pink slip this year WASHINGTON — About 17 percent of workers expect to be laid off in the coming year, according to results of a newly launched consumer survey from the Federal Reserve. The figure for December was down from about 18 percent the previous month but up from about 15 percent in June, according to the initial results of the Survey of Consumer Expectations from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. About 22 percent of consumers expect to voluntarily switch jobs in the year ahead, down slightly from November but up from about 19 percent in June, the survey reported. Both figures have been holding steady in recent months. Last year the Fed began collecting data on consumer attitudes about the labor market, inflation and household finances. The results were released for the first time in January, along with interactive charts. The survey has been in the works for
about five years and will add to monthly private data on consumer confidence. The information, to be released the first Monday of each month, will be used to help Fed officials set monetary policy and assist staff in researching connections between expectations and behavior. Fed officials said the survey will track rolling groups of heads of households over 12-month periods to look at their views and behaviors. The initial survey results from about 1,200 people showed expectations on inflation, income growth and spending holding steady in the past six months. The consumers surveyed anticipated that annual inflation would be 3.1 percent, higher than the current pace, and that home prices would outstrip that at 3.9 percent. Income growth was expected to lag at about 2 percent for the coming year, while the consumers anticipated their spending would grow by about 5 percent.
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Dana Pulis is CEO/founder of Kinetic Marketing Group, www.Kineticmg.com. Contact her at info@kineticmg.com or 406-651-2000.
D I G I TA L
There’s an adage that says “the more things change, the more they remain the same.” Certainly, over the past decade we have seen wild fluctuations in our economy, the rise and fall of entire industries and the house market ping-pong across the scale. Those weren’t the only changes, though. In 2004, YouTube didn’t exist. The first iPhone was introduced in mid-2007; since then, seven generations have hit the market. This time 10 years ago, “the Facebook” was a little something just for Harvard students; MySpace was just gaining speed. And I guarantee you that nobody knew how much mobile and social media were going to impact marketing efforts. So how was marketing done back in the day? Well, for the most part, it was all about relationships — both between marketing professionals and their clients as well as individual businesses and their customers. If you ask me, that’s still hands-down the way it works best. Too often we as business professionals are hiding behind screens of every shape and size instead of getting out there to shake hands, talk about what’s happening and creating those authentic, fantastic moments of, “You know, I can help you with that.” Whether you’re a new business owner or a more experienced one, adding networking to your marketing mix is critical. In my agency, I’m not the only one doing networking. Every member of our team is involved in the process at various levels by being involved in volunteer organizations, attending events hosted by the Chamber or Big Sky EDA or joining professional groups.
So you may be wondering if the networking that I (and my team) do is solely about marketing the services our agency provides. The answer is absolutely not. Do marketing opportunities arise? Yes, they often do. But I can tell you first-hand that the benefits of networking far exceed merely marketing. Each of us has gained a variety of excellent skills as a result of networking — some focused on our technical abilities and others targeted on leadership, problem solving, conflict resolution and a host of other capabilities. One of the most interesting networking opportunities that has been introduced to me lately came through Greg Kohn, who you may be aware of as a result of his ongoing work with the Big Sky EDA, Billings Chamber of Commerce and countless boards and committees. He was selected as a chair for Vistage International, and is in the process of launching CEO peer groups. These groups allow CEOs to meet monthly and work on business-related issues facing one or more members. As a business owner, the opportunity to benefit from the wisdom and experience of others — and to share my own experiences that have come over the years — is priceless. Are you and your team members actively networking? Are you involved in community organizations that you care about? Are you out there shaking hands and getting to know people instead of hiding behind phone calls and computer screens? If the answer is no, you are not only missing out on fantastic marketing opportunities, you’re also missing out on remarkable ways to develop the skills you need to grow both personally and professionally. Billingsbusiness
HUMAN resources
5 generations must learn to work together Knowing each generation’s history and preferences, we can see the opportunities working together can bring. Arrow Solutions Group Joann Pintz-Cole, operations administrator; Brittney Souza, client services manager; and Jen Brazinsky, director of recruiting, all of Arrow Solutions Group, contributed to this column. Arrow Solutions Group specializes in recruiting IT professionals and engineers for companies in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota. Contact Arrow Solutions Group at 406-839-9000 or info@ arrowsolutionsgroup.com.
This year, for the first time in American history, five generations will be working together. This is touted by some as a social phenomenon, and it brings up many issues in how to work together productively. Working in the technology industry, Arrow Solutions Group experiences this first hand with our internal staff, clients and candidates. Technology itself is not the end-all in this new economy, the people who use technology and how they use it must be understood. Can you name all five of the generations? Many articles have been written detailing each: veterans or traditionalists born between 1922-1945; baby boomers born between 19461964; Gen X’ers who entered into the world between 19651980; Gen Y’ers or Millennials, were born between 1981-2000 and are no longer the new kids on the block; and next year
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there will be the fifth generation, the 2020 Gen or Gen Z, born between 1998-2010. This makes for seven decades worth of different values, work ethics and communication styles in the work force. Wherever one falls in the generational timeline, the opportunity exists to examine diverse viewpoints and strive to understand them, thereby strengthening relationships and reducing conflict. For example, the simple act of communication can be complicated by each generation’s preferred method: traditional mail, email, phone calls, instant messaging, texting or Skyping. Some of these communication modes are foreign languages to certain generations and innate necessities to others. Today, a minority of veterans tap into the latest technology, this may be because veterans grew their businesses
using rotary dial phones and written communications. This explains their preference for formal memos and written communication with details spelled out. Newspaper, radio and television keep them up to date. Boomers have joined the technology bandwagon with varying degrees of resistance and acceptance. Many still use their Rolodex, dial phones and touch-tone phones. They love face-to-face dialogue and communicating via direct phone calls, having a “call me anytime” attitude. Boomers stay abreast of current happenings via newspaper and television with some Internet usage thrown in. Generation X’ers entered the work force with cellphone in hand, and they eagerly and willingly adopt many hi-tech trends. Calling or emailing them on their cellphone is usually the best way to get a hold
of them, as they prefer direct and immediate communication. Many have adopted preferences for instant messaging and texting. About 50 percent of Gen X’ers still read a daily newspaper while a larger percentage remain current via television and Internet. Millennials are by far the most technical generation in the workforce to date, having grown up with the Internet, picture phones and email. They don’t want meetings unless it’s a “GoToMeeting.” They have mastered multitasking and are the most connected, readily sharing life’s adventures via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media (often all at the same time). The newest members of the work force, those in Generation 2020, were born into a hightech communications world and are connected via social media, IM, hash tags, iPhones, tablets, and other devices.
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Consider that they were using the Internet in kindergarten and one can begin to image the impact of technology on this work force. While the characteristics of Gen 2020 are still evolving, one thing is certain: They will expect the latest technology as they enter the work force. Knowing each generation’s history and preferences, we can see the opportunities working together can bring. Veterans and boomers hold most of a company’s history, and these experienced generations can share business intelligence gathered over the years. Gen X’ers, Millennials and Gen 2020 possess the technological savvy to expand our knowledge in the ever-increasing hi-tech world. Understanding the differences each has can help us to use technology more effectively and bridge the gaps between each generation.
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T ry these apps to give your small business a boost Charlotte Observer Tony Rodono’s City Prints map decor business took center stage — literally — at the Charlotte Chamber’s year-end celebration. Rodono received applause along with fellow winners of the chamber’s 2013 Power Up Chapter Challenge, a competition involving small businesses and promising start-ups. The family-run company, which includes Rodono’s wife, Katie, and brother Tim, takes all kinds of requests — from developing map art reflecting a married couple’s travels over the years, to creating prints of university campuses and sports venues. Because he depends on technology to run his company, the Charlotte Observer asked Rodono for his best tech tips to fellow small business owners. He wrote this list of favorite applications and online services, and explains what makes them useful:
1. Wunderlist: This is a to-do list task management tool. It’s the first thing I check in the morning and the first tab open in my browser at all times. It allows me create a todo list, and more importantly, assign a due date, notes and reminder alerts to each item. The app is available on all devices and platforms and syncs across them. Best of all, it’s free. I probably rely on this too heavily — I forgot to back up my list when they had scheduled maintenance, and I had no idea what I needed to do that day. Oops.
2. Trello: This is a project management app for online team collaboration. Team members can view and comment on project boards and it syncs to all team members on all devices in real-time. I’ve used Basecamp and the Action Method in the past, but Trello takes the cake. We use it to track progress of all our custom maps we’re developing and to stage future product series. It’s free also.
3. Zendesk: Customer service is a priority for us, and Zendesk makes support easy. All customer requests come into a portal categorized by the type of support request and its priority. My team can log in and respond to assigned support tickets and pass them to others to escalate a request. Zendesk also has a live-chat plug-in you can add to your site. I watch the average time it takes for us to respond and close tickets to make sure we’re giving the best possible service.
4. Dropbox: All our 700-plus map prints are housed on our Dropbox account, which gives all my team members access to the latest files on any device. Sharing is easy, and the syncing is reliable. I’ve tried a bunch of other options for cloud storage, and while Dropbox isn’t the cheapest, I’ve found it to be the best. 5. Remote bank deposits: If you’re still going to the bank to deposit checks, you’re wasting a ton of time. If your bank doesn’t allow you to deposit checks from your phone, it’s time for a new bank.
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*Merchants are assigned codes and categorized based on what they sell. First Interstate Bank has no control over how a merchant is coded and although a merchant may appear to fall into an office management category, there is no guarantee that the merchant code will align. Eligible purchases will receive only one point if the merchant code is not in the promotion category. Office Management categories include, but are not limited to: office supplies, copy services, tax preparation services, accounting, cleaning & maintenance, and subscriptions. To qualify, purchases must be retail transactions. Eligible purchases include purchases for goods and services minus returns and other credits. Eligible purchases do not include fees, interest charges, balance transfers, cash advances, convenience checks, ATM transactions, or foreign transactions. Points will be credited to your FirstRewards account approximately five days after qualified transactions are posted to your credit card statement.
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Billingsbusiness
Business Success StoriesBriefs Recognizing People and Local Achievements Commerce at a Glance
BSED adds new board members
merce/CVB, Dennis Cook of Crown Realty, Jeremy Ferkin of CenturyLink, Bruce Glennie of Big Sky Economic Develop- Wells Fargo Bank, Doug Hansen ment has welcomed three new of Montana-Dakota Utilities board members. Eric Simonsen Co., John Hurley of KTVQ joined the Big Communications, Michael Sky Economic Hotaling of ExxonMobil Billings Development Refinery, Jani McCall of the Corp. board Billings City Council, Wayne while Sheri Nelson of Stockman Bank, Nicholson John Ostlund of the Yellowand Chuck stone County Commission, Jon Tooley were Pierce of Pierce Flooring and Eric Simonsen introduced as Design, James Smith of Rocky members on Mountain College, David Trost the Big Sky of St. John’s Lutheran MinisEconomic tries and Jim Walker of Western Development Security Bank. Authority Tooley and Nicholson will Board. join the EDA board with eight Simonsen other members all appointed by Chuck Tooley is president Yellowstone County commisof A&E sioners, including Ed Workman Architects, (chair) of Prudential Floberg Nicholson is Realtors, Richard Schilf (vice the presichair) of DOWL HKM, Kevin dent/CEO Gustainis (secretary/treasurer) at Beartooth of Montana Peterbilt, Lyle Hill Bank and for- (member at large) of Waddell Sheri Nicholson mer Billings & Reed, Scott Chesarek of J&S mayor Tooley Properties, Mitch Goplen of is president of Tooley Commu- Billings Clinic and Greg Kohn nications. and Kirk Porter of Avitus TechSimonsen will join the Big nologies. The EDA board also Sky EDC board that includes includes five ex-officio meman additional 20 members bers: Jani McCall of the Billings including Debbie Singer (chair) City Council, Terry Bouck of of NorthWestern Energy, John Billings School District No. Walsh (vice chair) of Mon2, John Brewer of the Billings tana State University, Duncan Chamber of Commerce/CVB, Peete (secretary/treasurer) of Bill Kennedy of the Yellowstone Moulton Bellingham PC, Susan County Commission and Heidi Riplett (past chair) of First Jensen, a City of Laurel repreInterstate, Ty Elkin (member sentative. at large) of Yellowstone Bank, Big Sky Economic DevelopJason Barker of St. Vincent ment, Yellowstone County’s Healthcare, John Brewer of the economic development arm, Billings Chamber of Comis a public-private partnerBillingsbusiness
to Farmers Union from Skagit Farmers Supply of Burlington, Wash., where he was director of AgriBusiness. He is familiar with Montana agriculture, havBuchanan joins ing previously been president Pru-Flo Realtors and CEO of Westfeeds Inc., a Brooke Buchanan has joined Billings-based animal nutriRocky Mountain The Prudential Floberg Realtors tion company. Black will guide as a sales associate, specialhires Sehnert the company’s strategy as it Scott Sehnert has been hired expands its presence as a full izing in residential properties. as executive vice president and service farm supply cooperaBuchanan graduated from senior commercial banker for Montana State University and tive. Rocky Mountain Bank. His Gonzaga School of Law. She Marsh earns primary responsibilities will may be reached at 406-8603 at Midland certification be managing the bank’s credit 4209. Michael J. Marsh, RPA, was function and commercial sales are certified Nicole Erhardt, Lisa Byers awarded the designation of process. Sehnert has 29 years LaRocque gets Certified Professional Insurexperience, leading all areas of and Hannah Koch with Midpromotion land Claims ance Agent by the Executive banking and business developKati Eve LaRocque has been ment. His effective experience Service Inc. Board of The American Insurhave each ance Marketing and Sales Soci- promoted to commercial loan in strategic planning and goal passed the ety. This designation stands for officer for the Stockman Bank setting, along with his proven Montana professional- Shiloh office. Her responsiskills at developing managers Department ism and com- bilities include developing and building and motivating and servicing commercial and of Labor and mitment to sales teams that exceed goals construction are all welcome additions to the Industry test marketing and Nicole Erhardt loans, and as- Rocky Mountain Bank team. and been sales trainsisting clients Sehnert has vast experience in awarded a ing results with their certification and a solid managing diverse product lines, lending and as a Montana understanding commercial lending, deposits Michael Marsh credit needs. certified of technical and cash management. Sehnert LaRocque will live in Billings but will serve workers’ insurance has been with Rocky Mountain Bank and their compensaknowledge. Marsh is a licensed Kati Eve LaRoque Stockman tion examiner. adjuster, insurance producer customers across Montana. He Lisa Byers Bank since Erhardt joined and workers’ compensation may be reached at SSehnert@ 2012. She was previously a Midland examiner in Montana. He was rmbank.com or 655-2803. credit review officer, assisting Claims Serinvited to become a Fellow all 28 Stockman Bank branches vice in 2007. of the Claims and Litigation Farmers Union within the Credit AdministraByers was Management Alliance. He has names president hired in 2006. been appointed to the Executive tion Department. Scott Black has been apLaRocque is a certified Koch has Council of CLM’s Claims Colpointed president and CEO worked there lege, School of Workers’ Com- public accountant in the state Hannah Koch of Farmers Union Oil Co., since 2010. All pensation. Marsh is responsible of Montana. She earned her replacing Kirk Marzolf who three passed for Level 2 and 3 course prepa- master’s of professional acpassed away in August. Since countancy in 2008 and her with scores of 95 percent or ration and will be facilitating 1993, Black has held senior bachelor of science degree in higher. They may be reached at classes at CLM’s upcoming leadership positions within the 656-9960 or www.midlandbusiness, accounting option Claims College sessions on with honors in 2007, both from agriculture industry. He comes claims.com. April 9–11 in Florida. He may
ship. The Big Sky Economic Development Authority, the public agency, evolved from the Montana TradePort Authority launched in 1989 by the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners. Big Sky Economic Development Corp., the private business side, was started in 2002. For more information, visit www.bigskyeconomicdevelopment.org.
be reached at Midland Claims Service Inc. at 656-9960 or go to www.midlandclaims.com.
Montana State University in Bozeman. She can be reached at 655-3993 and is located at the corner of Shiloh and Grand Avenue.
February 2014
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Business Briefs Local Commerce at a Glance
Breast Center accredited
a Ponzi scheme, one count of failing to register as a securities salesperson and a final count of The Yellowstone Breast failing to register a security. Center at St. Vincent HealthBetween 2008 and 2011, Conviction in care has been granted a Reynolds, who also went by three-year full accreditation Ponzi scheme the name Richard Adkins, used designation by the National A Bozeman jury has found relationships he formed with Accreditation Program for Richard Reynolds guilty of pastors, ministers and other Breast Centers. six felony charges for bilking religious individuals to bring The program is adminis141 victims out of $5.3 million investors into his Ponzi scheme. tered by the American College through investor theft and run- Reynolds stole from 141 invesof Surgeons. Accreditation is ning a massive Ponzi scheme. tors scattered across Montana, only awarded to those centers Reynolds, 52, held a chair 19 other states and four foreign that have voluntarily commit- over his head in an effort to countries. After soliciting funds ted to providing the highest shield his face from reporters from investors, he pocketed level of quality breast care and as he left the Gallatin County more than $4.3 million and that undergo a rigorous evalua- courtroom after the jury invested only about $8,000. tion process and review of their deliberated for just under three performance. hours before finding him guilty Travel Café Inc. The center must demon all counts. onstrate compliance with adds new firm He faces a maximum of 60 standards established by Travel Cafe Inc. has years in prison and a $170,000 the National Accreditation acquired Montana Travel, a fine. Reynolds is scheduled to Program for treating women full-service leisure and corbe sentenced on March 11. who are diagnosed with the full porate travel agency based in Attorneys in the office of spectrum of breast disease. The Montana Securities CommisBozeman. standards include proficiency The acquisition of Monsioner Monica J. Lindeen had in the areas of center leadership, been working on the case for tana Travel was finalized in clinical management, research, several years and prosecuted December and allows Travel community outreach, profesCafé to expand its market, Reynolds with the Gallatin sional education and quality which now includes Billings, County Attorney’s Office. improvement. A breast center “White collar criminals are Bozeman, Missoula and Great that achieves accreditation has no less dangerous than any oth- Falls. Montana Travel’s longdemonstrated a firm commiter. Mr. Reynolds took advantage established phone numbers and ment to offer its patients every of the trust people placed in email addresses will continue to significant advantage in their operate as normal. him and robbed them of their battle against breast disease. Travel Café’s menu of life’s savings.” Lindeen said. “I “The Yellowstone Breast thank the jury for their time and services include corporate and Center is committed to provid- wisdom. I thank the witnesses leisure travel, meeting planing state of the art services to for coming forward and telling ning, destination weddings, women battling benign and and bridal registries. their stories. And I thank my malignant breast disease,” said team and the team in Gallatin Billie J. Ruff, president of St. Vincent Oncology Service County for all their hard work. Travel Café, founded that agenLine Director Mary Beery. Together, we brought a criminal cy 15 years ago after serving as “The NAPBC accreditation is an agent for 14 years. Ruff said to justice.” a reflection of our skilled team Montana Travel was a natural Reynolds was charged of professionals who provide fit for her company because in 2012 with two counts of timely, compassionate care fraudulent practices, one count both are longtime Montana from the moment a woman re- of theft, one count of operating agencies with loyal clientele 50
I February 2014
ceives an evaluation and begins treatment to her follow-up appointments and survivorship.”
in both leisure and corporate travel. “They do business the way we do,” she said. Visit Montana Travel online at www.mttravel.com or call 406-587-1188.
Coke plant has new owner
The Billings Coca-Cola bottling plant is under new ownership but will continue to serve Montana and Wyoming. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. High Country of Rapid City, S.D., completed the purchase of the Billings facility on Dec. 31 and now distributes Coke products in South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Colorado and Utah. Last year Coca-Cola announced plans to grant expanded territories to five U.S. companies, including the family-owned High Country in South Dakota, in order to build a “21st Century beverage partnership model.”
than 100 brands with selections ranging from private labels, sure to appeal to the value-conscious shopper, to the hottest luxury brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, Michael Kors and Lucky Brand Jeans. Also available exclusively at Destination XL are brands such as Twenty-Eight Degrees, Society of One, DKNY Jeans, Robert Graham, True Religion and Brooks Brothers. Sizes start at 40” waist or XL including tall sizes, plus shoe sizes 10-16, in widths to 4E. The Billings store joins the 94 current DXL locations across 35 states.
CattleWomen offers scholarships
plication. Or they may contact the Scholarship Chair Nancy Schultz, Box 219, Grass Range, MT 59032 or phone 406428-2101 or email grnranch@ midrivers.com. Completed applications must be submitted to Schultz or sent to the Montana CattleWomen office at 420 N. California, Helena, MT 59601. Applications must be postmarked By April 15. This memorial scholarship is funded by donations given in memory of friends and loved ones of Montana CattleWomen.
Plumber buys Franklin franchise
Leon Riley and his family have been in the plumbing inFor the fifty-second dustry for more than 25 years in consecutive year, Montana Billings. The family-run busiCattleWomen Inc. is offering a ness, which includes his wife $1,000 scholarship to a Monand two sons, is well known for tana student who is enrolled the quality service they provide in one of the state colleges or to customers. universities. Preference will be Riley recently purchased given to an applicant majorthe Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in a field beneficial to the ing franchise for the Billings New big-tall livestock industry. area. The move will allow the store opens To qualify for this award, a Riley family to expand their A new big and tall store for student must currently be at current business, offer new men has opened in Billings. least a sophomore (in college) products and services to cusThe Destination XL store is and have a grade point average tomers and add additional staff located at 585 S. 24th St. W. It’s of 2.7 or better. The scholarship in 2014. the first in the state. will be given to the student who “This gives us a solid According to Mintel, a is determined to have the best foundation. We can continue market research provider, 74 balance of grades, citizenship to offer the best service to our percent of men say they have and financial need. The winner customers. The community, frustrations when shopping will be announced after May. our customers and our emfor clothes. The most imporApplication forms are avail- ployees will all see the benefit,” tant factors for men who shop able at college Financial Aid Riley said. XL sizes are access to a wider Offices throughout Montana. Benjamin Franklin Plumbselection of brands, plus the Interested students may go to ing will operate from 3125 S. confidence that their selections montanacattlewomen.org to 67th St. W. Contact Leon Riley will fit comfortably. download all necessary inforat 406 652-7787 or at dlplumbDestination XL offers more mation to complete the apingmt@optimum.net Billingsbusiness
Residential Permits Demolition Permit 823 Bench Blvd., Big Sky Floral Supply LLC, $9,200 2320 Rosebud Drive, Dave & Barbara Hawkins, Cayton Excavation Inc., $4,890 Addition Single/Duplex/Garage 674 Tabriz Drive, Stallman, Gerard M. and Doreen K., Construction Solutions LLP, $45,000 2303 Westfield Drive, Breetz, Gary and Karen, Loterbauer, Greg Construction, $25,000 411 Alderson Ave., Hauck, Gary C., Rocking Jr. Services LLC, $7,000 3131 Iron Horse Trail, Kenmark Corporation, Kenmark Inc., $4,050 4182 Bainbridge Circle, Dave & Joan Hardy, Boulder Construction LLC, $1,920 2809 Lynwood Drive, Martin, Allen A. & Marilyn M., All Decked Out Inc., $20,000 Fence/Roof/Siding 2930 Mickey Wright Lane, Nielsen Family Trust, Lynnrich Inc., $1,903 1299 Rimtop Drive, City Of Billings (Airport), Lynnrich Inc., $100 330 Clark Ave., Jensen, Richard C., $10,000 634 Bazaar Exchange, ChavezMercado, Jose, B&B Construction, $5,900 836 Yellowstone River Road, Welzenbach, James B. and Cheryl E., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $16,000 607 Ave. E, Laughlin, Lucas K.,
$6,000 1325 Ave. C, Donges, Kathy and Marshall, All Phase Builders, $5,000 434 Lewis Ave., Mehling, Ronald R. and Tina M., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $1,200 821 Miles Ave., Justin Stratton, $700 825 Ave. C, Justin E. Bickham, $4,500 402 Sahara Drive, Anderson, Ronald T., Granite Peak Exteriors, $7,120 1015 N. 24 St., Collado Urbano, DLV Roofing Inc., $7,200 2116 Yellowstone Ave., Niess Dan R & Angela M, Aaron Johnson Construction, $6,000 2941 Miles Ave., Nelstead Verene O, Bradford Roof Management Inc., $12,000 2942 Miles Ave., Schatzke Roger D & Sharon K, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $11,360 700 Oakmont Road, Terunuma Lori, Christison’s Remodeling/ Repair, $7,000 1267 Crystal Lake Lane, Chapel Toni, G.M. Construction & Roofing, $9,000 1331 Clark Ave., Otto G. Miller Trust (1/2) &, Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $5,000 4347 Palisades Park Drive, Denegre, John G. & Corinne B., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $12,000 720 24 St. W., Warren, Joanne Alex, Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $5,500 2605 Aspen Way, Gallup, Rosalind M., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $15,000 4244 Palisades Park Drive,
Auzqui, Jack M. & Vicki J., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $12,000 3113 40 St. W., Patton, Guy W. & Arlene M., Erickson’s Construction LLC, $7,800 3113 40 St. W., Patton, Guy W. & Arlene M., Erickson’s Construction LLC, $7,000 1323 Concord Drive, Johnson, Zene, Lichen Properties Inc., $2,000 818 N. 16 St., T. P. Renovators LLC, All Seasons Roofing, $9,930 820 N. 16 St., T. P. Renovators LLC, All Seasons Roofing, $9,930 1923 Ave. B, Marvin, Larry L. & Arlene J. Tr, L J Roofing, $6,000 2725 E. Bridger Drive, Potts, Jason M. & Jennifer A., AFC Reconstruction, $6,500 4314 Loma Vista Drive, Schicktanz, Robert M. & Linda, America’s Best Contractors Inc., $15,000 1423 Ave. D, Bourn, Kathleen K., America’s Best Contractors Inc., $3,044 5211 King Ave. E., Bunderson, John G., America’s Best Contractors Inc., $3,900 3106 Forsythia Blvd., Pederson, Susan M., Bruce Perry Construction, $8,000 413 7 St. W., Hendershot, Paul D. & Eileen M., $8,500 413 7 St. W., Hendershot, Paul D. & Eileen M., $1,800 2027 Yellowstone Ave., April Hammrell, Steve Jones Construction LLC, $3,400 3115 Falcon Ridge Way, Biggerstaff, Roger E. & Beverly, Cory Simons Construction, $12,000 1240 Babcock Blvd., Adams,
Pamela Y., $7,000 2040 George St., Clark, Douglas J. & Linda L., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $1,300 1130 20 St. W., Brabec, Gregory B. & Penny K., Buerkley Siding And Windows, $12,000 4127 Buchanan Ave., Younggren, Cheryl L., Good Earth Construction, $4,480 811 N. 31 St., Dave Goodridge, Ty Nelson Construction, $1,500 318 Tabriz Drive, Busch, Theresa, Aaron Johnson Construction, $3,000 929 Ave. F, Grenier, Jon C., Highsmith Construction, $5,000 943 Aronson Ave., Sowden, Clinton, Moonlight Construction, $14,750 112 Lakewood Lane, Mlnarik, Kathryn J. & Joshua C., C’s Construction Of Billings, $9,968 319 Glee Place, Houghland, Leander E. Trustee, All Seasons Roofing, $5,750 743 Ave. C, Bell, Brent, Construction By Design, $10,007 1123 Toole Court, Deneault, David E. & Pamela S., Dustin Davison Construction, $8,000 3211 3 Ave. S., Hernandez, Lucy, Terry’s Roofing/General, $5,500 1102 Yale Ave., Day, James V., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $5,100 2409 Cook Ave., Robert Bauerle, Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $5,600 804 Lewis Ave., Grimm, Thomas J. & Jennifer L., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $3,500 3962 Pa Hollow Trail, Wharton,
Edward C. & Lena D., Gerald Anderson, $11,500 2413 9 Ave. N., Brubacker, Swift Construction, $3,500 5415 Corner Stone Ave., Samek, Alisha & Jeffrey, Dustin Davison Construction, $8,000 14 Rhea Lane, Ehresman, Ronald T. & Dee R., $850 810 Lake Elmo Drive, Baldry, Joe, Ann, Swift Construction, $7,000 2721 13 St. W., Nelson, Tracy, B & B Const., $2,900 4227 Audubon Way, Ottema, Ernest R. & Beatrice L., Steve Jones Construction LLC, $3,600 4388 Laredo Place, Tesar, Brian & Emily J., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $9,000 5407 Rimrock Road, Settergren, Curtis R. & Young M., $8,000 612 26 St. W., Bremkamp, Stacy M., $7,000 2010 19 St. W., Kimmery, Donna M., Roofing & Siding Pros,
$5,672 1925 Rimrock Road, NA, KC Roofing & Construction Inc., $14,600 2442 Teton Ave., Mrachek, Sandra J., Kirkness Roofing & Supply, $14,450 2111 24 St. W., Miller, Dale W., Peak Contracting, $9,500 42 Antelope Trail, Brown, Sharon B., All Seasons Roofing, $8,600 3115 Radcliffe Drive, Sparboe, Robin C., Bradford Roof Management Inc., $40,000 4760 Rimrock Road, Wilson, Marianne S. & John L., Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $12,000 1914 Chickadee Circle, The Sally A. Miller Trust, Sprague Construction Roofing Division, $14,000 1401 Lake Elmo Drive, Nathan H. & Bette Ann McCranie, Sprague Construction Roofing Division,
Carpet One Your Commercial Interior Design Experts! FREE CONSULT & ESTIMATE CALL
Sarah Wise or Don Adamson
656-9300 • Interior Design • Custom Cabinets • Custom Countertops
505 S. 24th St. W. | 656-9300 | 800-320-0420 | Mon-Fri ri 8 - 6 | Sat 9 - 5 | Sun Closed
Billingsbusiness
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3140 Peregrine Lane, Trent Buscher Construction, Trent Buscher Construction, $265,925 6301 Ridge Stone Drive N., Stonegate At Ironwood LLC, Picard Development, $309,000 1417 Benjamin Blvd., Infinity Homes, Infinity Homes LLC, $189,310 5915 Ironwood Drive, Cederberg, Dru Allison, Yellowstone Basin Construction, $342,245 1920 Songbird Drive, McCall Development Inc., McCall Development, $254,935 3664 Vickery Drive, Lais DeNew Garage velopment Inc., Lais Development Inc., $299,865 2234 Fox Drive, Doll, Gregory 3445 Settlers Trail, Lais DevelA., $21,840 opment Inc. Lais Development Inc, 625 Winemiller Lane, Tucker, $162,480 Renee E., $10,080 3128 Western Bluffs Blvd., 1037 N. 25 St., Sam Ausen, Shawn Nelson, Shawn Nelson $30,940 Construction, $280,330 421 Rimrock Road, Blain, 4014 Wildridge Meadows Almon R. & Bobbi J., Crm Services Drive, Classic Design Homes, Inc., $60,000 Classic Design Homes, $223,500 707 N. Wagner Lane, Clay, 94 Legends Way, Kent and Margaret, Finish Line ConstrucMaria Streitmatter, Hill Builders, tion, $34,615 $194,660 314 Terry Ave., Eugene & 1243 Benjamin Blvd., New Rebecca Albert Rev LI, $25,830 West Construction, New West Construction, $200,000 New Single Family 3037 Western Bluffs Blvd., A.R. 1235 Benjamin Blvd., Dawson Junkert , A.R. Junkert Construction Inc., $202,295 Builders, Dawson Builders, 4513 Grams Court, Neumann $176,380 Construction, Neumann Construc3929 Parkwood Drive, Worthington, Kirk R. and Marlene, tion, $287,000 5330 Rocky Mountain Blvd., Wells Built Homes Inc., $300,000 Josh, Kay, All Design Landscaping 3924 Pa Hollow Trail, Tutt Inc., $500,000 Construction Inc., Tutt Construc1711 Lone Pine Drive, McCall tion, $250,000 5909 Foxtail Lane, BTS, Classic Development Inc., McCall Development, $318,635 Design Homes, $257,785 1624 Hollyhock St., McCall 1630 Hollyhock St., McCall Development Inc., McCall DevelDevelopment Inc., McCall Development, $283,675 opment, $220,240 $5,400 2216 Beloit Drive, Walshe Patrick T., Castro Construction, $5,000 2216 Beloit Drive, Walshe, Patrick T., Castro Construction, $4,500 2317 Pine St., Blevins, Christy A., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $12,600 333 Terry Ave., Propriedad LLC, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $6,000 2234 Fox Drive, Doll, Gregory A. &, Quality Time Construction, $12,000
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5828 Mountain Front Ave., Trails West Homes LLC, Stock Construction Company, $192,005 5824 Mountain Front Ave., Trails West Homes LLC, Stock Construction Company, $174,795 3121 Reflections Circle, Bob Pentecost , Bob Pentecost Const., $310,000 6205 Ridge Stone Drive N., Stonegate At Ironwood LLC, Picard Development, $300,000 538 Newman Lane, Habitat For Humanity Mid Yell, Habitat For Humanity, $144,755 4702 Rebecca Place, Habitat For Humanity Mid Yell, Habitat For Humanity, $135,540 3018 Western Bluffs Blvd., Bob Pentecost, Bob Pentecost Const., $255,000 3405 Lucky Penny Lane, Bob Pentecost, Bob Pentecost Const., $259,000 6303 Ridge Stone Drive N., Picard Development , Picard Development, $330,000 2414 Icewine Drive, Best Development Corporation, Pierson Jensen Construction Co., $132,240 2420 Icewine Drive, Best Development Corporation, Pierson Jensen Construction Co., $161,380 1716 Morocco Drive, Ryan Brownell, R. J. Mac Homes, $267,895 1724 Songbird Drive, McCall Development Inc., McCall Development, $233,270 3062 Western Bluffs Blvd., Lighthouse Construction , Lighthouse Construction LLC, $320,000 1829 Lost Creek Road, McCall Development Inc., McCall Development, $246,940 11 Lakewood Lane, Jim & Cin-
Jane Tibbs, American Exteriors LLC, $4,900 2505 Terrace Drive, Taylor, Leslie, American Exteriors LLC, New Two Family $9,830 823 Caroline St., Flores, Pena, 615 Joyce St., Darrin Bienvenue, D & D Siding And Construc- Jose Luis, American Exteriors LLC, $8,926 tion, $226,160 940 N. 24th St., Cook, Cheryl A., American Exteriors LLC, $6,708 Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage 919 Nutter Blvd., Duffy, Daniel W. and Colleen M., American 2930 Mickey Wright Lane, Nielsen Family Trust, Lynnrich Inc., Exteriors LLC, $1,330 2135 Monad Road, White, $2,636 1602 Virginia Lane, Nicholson, Mykel Allen and Claudia N., American Exteriors LLC, $7,044 Vonda, Pella Window Store, $800 4516 Ryan Ave., Dukart, Janice 3042 E. Copper Ridge Loop, R., American Exteriors LLC, $7,697 Leone, Erik D. and Kari, $23,800 1120 Terry Ave., Eloranto, 2626 Rimrock Road, Schuman, Helen J., American Exteriors LLC, Nicolette R, Davis Construction $4,148 Inc., $21,000 137 Ave. B, Craig Lancaster, 4205 Laredo Place, Wolter, American Exteriors LLC, $9,700 Nicholas John, CJ Construction 1008 Ave. C, Shenkel, Barbara LLC, $10,000 1450 Shade Tree Circle, Rentz, E., Pella Window Store, $875 330 Clark Ave., Jensen, RichJeffrey J., Jeff Junkert Construcard C., $2,400 tion Inc., $30,000 6219 Golden Eagle Court, Kris 612 Sixth St. W., Rodriguez, Eklund, Capp Jerry Construction, Jason and Colleen, $2,500 $5,960 212 Normandy Drive, Daniel 1014 Yale Ave., Martin, Emma Ruff, DRM Construction, $2,000 L., American Exteriors LLC, $4,589 2716 Downer Lane, Fanzone, 1914 Bench Blvd., Fowler, John and Amanda, American Mark Jr. and Jeri K., Stevens Exteriors LLC, $9,650 1044 Mary St., Orozco, Ramon Renovations Plus, $700 728 Logan Lane, Quigg, Rex A. M., American Exteriors LLC, and Janet F., Rocking Jr Services $3,421 LLC, $5,000 1426 King James St., 153 W. Hilltop Road, Speer, Westrope, Jack D. and Anne Zebulon & Cedar, All Season A., Blue Diamond Construction, Construction, $2,200 $15,000 1018 24th St. W., Larimer, 1118 Dickens Ave., KeipElaine J., Sunset Construction LLC, pel, Jon T. and April Ennis, Pella $31,426 Window Store, $1,100 2522 Selvig Lane, Fryer, Arlan 3217 Fairmeadow Drive, D. and Helen H. -Trus, Billings WinKayce, Hilty, American Exteriors dow & Siding Specialists, $3,335 LLC, $4,104 220 N. 24th St., Debtor Co. (A 5503 Sweetgrass Creek Drive, thia Finch, A.R. Junkert Construction Inc., $360,365
Trust), Debtor Co. Trust, $3,000 3537 Timberline Drive, Capron, Gregory T. and Dianne P., Pella Window Store $1,600 715 Yellowstone Ave., Kuzma, Veronica Marie, Win-Dor Industries, $1,001 3332 Lloyd Mangrum Lane, Rutledge, David S. and Janette G., Triple R Services, $12,000 821-1/2 Miles Ave., Justin Stratton, $2,500 1250 Poly Drive, Ventling, Margaret A., Big Sky Maintenance Inc., $6,738 1340 Claim Jumper Lane, Morehouse, Lonnie G., All Season Construction, $1,100 652 Shawnee Drive, Perusich, Edward P., Win-Dor Industries, $1,249 5856 Sam Snead Trail, Ruehr Revocable Trust, Pella Window Store, $700 1930 Ave. C, Rookhuizen, Johannes Jr. & Kimb, Pella Window Store, $1,800 140 Ave. E, Mary Ann Moorehead, $13,820 2532 Riveroaks Drive, Luterbach, Don H. & Linda Kaye, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $12,000 1641 Lynn Ave., Wyman Wayne O. & Rita A., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $6,500 2942 Miles Ave., Schatzke Roger D. & Sharon K., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $10,000 1734 Province Lane, Traeger, Nancy, My Handyman Service, $15,120 928 Poly Drive, Cooper, Donald Family Trust, Les Nouveau Milieux-Bob Habeck, $1,500 1716 W. Castle Stone Square, Jeff Junkert, Jeff Junkert Construction Inc., $4,000 3332 Lloyd Mangrum Lane, Billingsbusiness
Rutledge, David S. & Janette G., Win-Dor Industries, $3,124 1203 Princeton Ave., Kapptie, Patricia Lee, Pella Window Store, $2,100 3099 Thousand Oaks St., Foster, Construction By Design Inc., $2,000 1021 Parkhill Drive, Frank & Barbara Woirhaye, One Source Construction LLC, $525 2011 St Johns Ave., Watts, Gerald E. & Susan K., Pella Window Store, $9,325 27 Clark Ave., Nicholson, Mark
H. & Laura R., Yellowstone Structural Systems LLC, $15,000 413 7 St. W., Hendershot, Paul D. & Eileen M., $3,000 2632 Cook Ave., Loren & Brett Johnson, $1,500 2117 Mariposa Lane, Lofthouse, Larry & Dawn, Win-Dor Industries, $9,123 4341 Pine Cove Road, Bloomer, James B, Win-Dor Industries, $7,022 1130 20 St. W., Brabec, Gregory B. & Penny K., Buerkley Siding And Windows, $8,000
4127 Buchanan Ave., Younggren, Cheryl L., Good Earth Construction, $1,700 2203 Pueblo Drive, Rogina, Pamela Catherine, All Season Construction, $4,000 132 Hilltop Road, Busenitz, Willis H. & Nadine F., All Season Construction, $1,500 835 Yellowstone Ave., Berry, Daniel P. & Kay Louise, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $10,000 743 Ave. C, Bell, Brent, Construction By Design, $7,500 1119 12 St. W., Larry McCo-
mas, Win-Dor Industries, $5,560 509 Glee Place, Ed McClintock, Highlands Construction Inc., $3,600 107 Glenhaven Drive, Morganflash, Jeffrey L. & Nancy, Craigo Construction, $1,000 624 N. 22 St., Joe & Pam Rohde, Comax Construction Inc., $5,000 127 Burlington Ave., Kimberly Bone, $1,400 680 Garnet Ave., Martinez, Salvador & Valerie T., Win-Dor Industries, $2,587
3202 Ramada Drive, Dowdle, Willie M., Win-Dor Industries, $859 5603 Billy Casper Drive, Petriccione, Luke L. & Donna J., All Season Construction, $1,000 1806 Crystal Drive, Bentley, Brian J. & Tanya R., AJ Construction Inc., $31,800 612 26 St. W., Bremkamp, Stacy M., $8,000 29 Macarthur Ave., Kelly McCormick, M. Pinter Construction, $3,500 515 Ave. E, Whalen, Robert J., Freyenhagen Construction Inc.,
$10,500 4191 Morgan Ave., Ross, John Robert, Servpro Of Billings, $20,000 333 Terry Ave., Propriedad LLC, Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $4,000 2412 Woody Drive, Engebretson, Jeremy L. & Doniel, Les Nouveau Milieux-Bob Habeck, $1,050 1220 Colton Blvd., Bart, Phil’s Glass, $3,800
Missoula: Ornamental design for a detachable guitar pick. D694,811. Dec. 3. Benjamin Meager of Bozeman: Pressure equalization apparatus for a bottle and methods associated therewith. 8,602,235. Dec. 10. Paha Designs, LLC of Denver. Tim J. Watt, Craig R. Landgren and Steven A. Loar, all of Billings; John Kuhling of Belgrade and Myles Watts of Bozeman: Systems, computer implemented methods, geographic weather-data selection interface display and computer readable medium having program products to generate user-customized virtual weather data and usercustomized weather-risk products responsive thereto. 8,607,154. Dec. 10. Daniel W. Price of Loveland, Ohio; Matthew C. Miller, Cory G. Kimball, Brennan G. McCabe and Eitan T. Wiener, all of Cincinnati; Jeffrey L. Aldridge of Lebanon, Ohio; and William E. Clem of Bozeman: Ornamental design for a surgical generator.
D695,407. Dec. 10. Keith A. Roberts of White Bear Lake, Minn., John Henry Burban of Lake Elmo, Minn., and Duane E. Lloyd of Glasgow: System and method to vent gas from a body cavity. 8,608,715. Dec. 17. Lexicon Medical LLC of St. Paul, Minn. Robert C. Ewell Jr. of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; Douglas L. Garmany of Pineland, Texas; Charles T. Kelly of Houston; and Charles Philip Wasilewski of Great Falls: Device and method for monitoring a heating appliance. 8,610,036. Dec. 17. Christopher L. Hawker of Columbus, Ohio, and Phillip Campbell of Livingston: Hand tool for stuffing pitted or cored produce. 8,567,309. Oct. 29. David A. Farber of Ojai, Calif.; Richard E. Greer of Red Lodge; Andrew D. Swart of Pennington, N.J., and James A. Balter of Santa Barbara, Calif.: Shared content delivery infrastructure. 8,572,208. Oct. 29. Level 3 Communications, LLC of Broomfield, Colo.
David A. Farber of Ojai, Calif.; Richard E. Greer of Red Lodge; Andrew D. Swart of Pennington, N.J., and James A. Balter of Santa Barbara, Calif.: Shared content delivery infrastructure and method of generating a web page. 8,572,210. Oct. 29. Level 3 Communications, LLC of Broomfield, Colo. David McConnell of Polson: Hitch receiver apparatuses and methods for securing hitch receivers to frame members. 8,573,628. Nov. 5. Lee E. Cannon of Bozeman: Methods and apparatus for a competitive bonus game with variable odds. 8,574,066. Nov. 5. IGT of Las Vegas. Ronald E. Zook of Bigfork; Timothy E. Braun of Kalispell; Kenneth A. High of Helena; Laurence K. Sampson, Steve W. Jackinsky and Pete W. Kroehl, all of Denver; Davey B. Palmer of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; David W. Wright of Littleton, Colo.; and Paul P. Burek of Centennial, Colo.: Method of performing a suprapubic transurethral cystostomy.
8,574,256. Nov. 5. Swan Valley Medical Inc. of Bigfork. Nancy J. Shelby of Bozeman; Steven M. Scott of Salt Lake City; Benjamin P. Luchsinger, Gregory A. Juda, Kelly R. Kirker, Jesus Hernandez and Darrel L. Holmes, all of Bozeman: Process for demineralization of bone matrix with preservation of natural growth factors. 8,574,825. Nov. 5. Bacterin International Inc. of Belgrade. Helene Bazin-Lee and David A. Johnson, both of Hamilton; Diane Mary Coe of Stevenage, United Kingdom; and Charlotte Jane Mitchell of Stevenage, United Kingdom: Purine derivatives and their pharmaceutical uses. 8,575,340. Nov. 5. GlaxoSmithKline LLC of Philadelphia. Sharon L. Morris and Dean E. Morris, both of Kalispell: Automatic surgical sponge counter and blood loss determination system. 8,576,076. Nov. 5. ClearCount Medical Solutions Inc. of Pittsburgh. Cameron Paul Reagor of Brady: Prediction of mobile
Montana patents Below are listed U.S. patents issued to Montana inventors Oct. 29-Dec. 17, 2013. For assistance in patent filing, call Billings patent attorney Antoillonette M. Tease at 294-9000.
waveform generation over widebandwidth and extended time apertures. 8,593,716. Nov. 26. Montana State University. Ciaran John Patrick O’Connor, Shane Hilliard and Leif Summerfield, all of Bozeman: Method and apparatus for Jeffrey Scott Maltas of Sibley, Iowa, Ronald G. Story of adjusting radiation spot size. 8,598,488. Dec. 3. Electro ScienIrvine, Calif., Jeffrey D. Tschettific Industries Inc. of Portland, Ore. ter of Sioux Falls, S.D., Justin Douglas K. Warner, James C. King of Rushmore, Minn., Guy B. Longbrake of Rushmore, Neal Richter, Stephen D. Durbin Minn., and Michael E. Pederson and Greg Gianforte, all of Gallatin: Method for routing electronic of Lewistown: Labeling band correspondence based on the level assembly and method of forming and type of emotion contained thereof. 8,590,195. Nov. 26. Bedford Industries, Inc. of Worthington, therein. Oracle OTC Subsidiary LLC of Redwood Shores, Calif. Minn. James A. Billmaier of WoodMitch Gallo of Miles City: inville, Wash., John M. Kellum Combination walking stick and of Seattle, Wash., Charles R. firearm support. 8,590,440, Nov. Broadus of Bothell, Wash., 26. Dewey Reid of San Rafael, Calif., Josiah M. Baer of Kila and and Philip Rogan of Bozeman: Jay C. Rickel Jr. of Columbia System and method for focused Falls: Panel illumination system. navigation in a media center/ 8,591,065, Nov. 26. extension device architecture. Charles W. Thiel, Peter B. 8,601,507. Dec. 3. ARRIS EnterSellin and Kristian D. Merkel, prises Inc. of Suwanee, Ga. all of Bozeman: Methods and Willis Monroe Houck Jr. of apparatus for photonic arbitrary Billingsbusiness
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Utah: Carriage traction vehicle. 8,578,861. Nov. 12. Dana W. Gleason Jr. of Bozeman: Backpack frame and bag system. 8,579,171. Nov. 12. Mystery Ranch Ltd. of Bozeman. Ric Clippard of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Rajesh Kommineni of Bozeman; Brian Rudolph of Sussex, Wis., and Scott Rudolph
of Menomonee Falls, Wis.: Automatic method to generate product attributes based solely on product images. 8,582,802. Nov. 12. Edgenet Inc. of Atlanta. James Neal Richter of Belgrade and Christopher M. Tarabochia and Douglas K. Warner, both of Bozeman: Recursive document network searching sys-
tem having manual and learned component structures. 8,583,628. Nov. 12. Oracle International Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif. Michael T. Tessmer and Lee E. Cannon, both of Bozeman: Method and apparatus for providing an advantage to a player in a bonus game. 8,585,482. Nov. 19. IGT of Las Vegas.
Lee E. Cannon of Bozeman: Method and apparatus for competitive bonus games based upon strategy or skill. 8,585,489. Nov. 19. IGT of Las Vegas. Duane Earl Lloyd of Glasgow and Keith A. Roberts of White Bear Lake, Minn.: System and method to vent gas from a body cavity. 8,585,646. Nov. 19. Lexion
Medical, LLC of St. Paul, Minn. Charles A. Cummings of Kalispell and Mikael R. Borjesson of Lakeside: Substrate plating apparatus with multichannel field programmable gate array. 8,585,875. Nov. 19. Applied Materials Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif.
4., Nov. 12. Burke J. Birchell, 509 Third St. W., Roundup, Nov. 13. Teresa Marie Nelson, 715 Locust Ave., Laurel, Nov. 14. Raul Hernandez Meza, Mary Haro Meza, 2316 Meadowood, Nov. 14. Jason Dale Rhoades, 410 Durland Ave., Laurel, Nov. 15. Jason Dewey Emmett, Amber Jo Emmett, P.O. Box 1314, Columbus, Nov. 18. Thomas R O’Malley, 1201 18th St. W., No. 4, Nov. 19. Bradley Levi Collingwood, P.O. Box 55, Nov. 19. Jerry M. Lydiatt, 305-1/2 Terry
Ave., Nov. 21. Stacy Ann Payovich, 516 Eggebrecht Lane, Nov. 22. T.J. Dennis Pulse, Debra Marie Pulse, 911 10th Ave., Laurel, Nov. 25. Brandin Sage Eckdahl, Julianne Eckdahl, 1044 Wiloma Drive, Nov. 25. Jo Ann Brantz, 2302 Jasmine Circle, Nov. 26. Rosa Maria Guerrero, 646 Radford Square, Nov. 26. Ann Lynette Reinke, 1149 Wren St., Nov. 26. Nicole Dawn O’Shea, 130 Lower Luther Road, Nov. 26. Holly Frances Cole, 1168 Patriot St., Nov. 26. Christopher P. Armstrong, Re-
becca Marie Armstrong, 1804 Lake Elmo Drive, Nov. 27. Travis Lee Pitts, P.O. Box 373, Laurel, Nov. 27. Mary C Baird, 1142 Yorktown St., Dec. 3. Sondra Jay Messmer, 1 Alma Lane, Dec. 3. Daniel Lee Delao, 1706 Virginia Lane No. 4, Dec. 4. Linda L. Utter, 3961 Teal St., Dec. 5, Ryce J. Finn, Jennifer K. Finn, 2150 Whitewater Circle, Dec. 5. Timothy Lewis Loudan, 1724 Lone Pine Drive, Dec. 5. Amber Nicole Ames, 102 Yellowstone Ave., Dec. 9.
Robert Curtis Pedigo, 1403 Valley Heights Road, Dec. 11. Judith Ann Kimmell, 4185 Obie Lane, Dec. 11. Roy Edward Hope, 20 Wild Turkey Lane, Dec. 13. Robert Abrahams Jr., 4339 Murphy Ave., Dec. 17. Susan Ione Gonzalez, 1345 St. Johns Ave., Dec. 17. Camilla C. Sunday, 2224 Hwy 87 E., No. 87, Dec. 18. Kayce Sue Anders, 1340 Crawford Drive, Dec. 18. Dustin James Dusek, 1121 Central Ave., Dec. 20. Julie M. Taylor, 3285 Canyon Drive, No. 85, Dec. 26.
Kyle Adam Erickson, Lacey Leigh Erickson, 20 30th St. W., Dec. 30. Jacob John Irish, 1720 Lewis Ave., Dec. 31.
Cynthia Vlahos Kellems, 1925 Grand Ave., Suite 123, 969-5930. Wild and Free Photography, 612 Miles Ave., 808-214-4393. It’s a Clean World After All, 1208 Ponderosa Drive, 969-3515. Big Sky Meats, 10 Danube St., Gray Companies Inc., Faribault, 534-4838. E&L Photography, 2016 Gorham Minn., 507-334-3400. DeStefano Construction SerPark Drive, 672-5876. vices, 4125 Arden Ave., 697-6590. J. Scot Herries Furniture, MisAdventureGardens Design and soula, 546-7483. Property Services, 1927 Burlington Artz Industry, 1903 Dogwood Ave., 969-1432. Drive, 690-7459. Montana Medical Aesthetics Laurie Orrantia, 543 Tabriz Clinic PLLC, 3307 Grand Ave., Suite Drive, 698-4621
201, 969-6622. Caring Hands Lawn Service, 1800 43rd St. W., 861-6633. CL Baisch LLC, 3818 Barry Drive, 698-2090. Castro Construction, 113 S. 31st St., 697-9910. Diamond Pressure Washing, 715 Lambrecht Lane, 529-7785. DK Home Improvement, 9 Vista Drive, 690-9855. Wall Designs LLC, Post Falls, Idaho, 208-777-9050. Prestige Drywall Co., Post Falls, Idaho, 208-777-9050.
Unique Painting LLC, Post Falls, Idaho, 208-777-9050. Dust Bunnies Cleaners, 207 N. 20th St., 281-1108. Rimrock Property Management, LLC, 1925 Grand Ave., 839-6497. Jilleanna Montana, 624 Custer Ave., 702-1153. John Shaw (Shaw Ent.), Worden, 679-0220. Ray A. Beaulieu, 5306 Larimar Lane, 670-2691. Yellowstone Valley Builders, 1308 Matador Ave., 208-2693. Eric France, 2316 Ave. B, 969-
5143. Timberline Mechanical Arts, 3537 Timberline Drive, 671-2318. Northwest Hardware LLC, 906 Broadwater Ave., 969-3622. Tom Mulford Construction, 210 Covert Lane, 208-0634. Above Grade Software, 4004 Rifle Creek Rail, 545-0445. Heart Energy Healing, 1332 Hawthorne Lane, 647-5376. Tom’s Plumbing Repair, 206 Prickett Lane, 672-0717. Hill Builders, Laurel, 690-0569. Williamson Construction Fin-
ishes, 7559 Lewis Ave., 670-3518. D’s Construction, 459 Republic Ave., 697-8390. Billings Open MRI, 1099 N. 27th St., 969-6736. Mommies Stay N Play, 520 Wicks Lane, 694-4048. Ann Loudan, 1220 Ave. C, 876-5120. Box 117 Creative LLC, 2855 Belvedere Drive, 690-6859. Apex Steel Montana Inc., 100 Steffes Road, 259-1812. Benson Builders, 1207 Watson Peak Road, 281-3688.
bandwidth and usage requirements. 8,577,330. Nov. 5. Empire Technology Development LLC of Wilmington, Del. David Harriton of Missoula: Claiming ornamental design for a hood. D692,812. Nov. 5. Streetcar ORV LLC of Wixom, Mich. Alan Hepner of Rexford and David Metivier of Holladay,
Bankruptcies Billings-area bankruptcy petitions filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Nov. 1-Dec. 31, 2013. Addresses are in Billings unless otherwise noted. Chapter 7 Devin Melissa Jackson, 1016 Competition Ave., Nov. 1. Pamela A. Kline, 911 N. 31st St., Nov. 1 Lisa Beus, 3825 Avenue B, Nov. 1. Lacie Elizabeth Tallman, 2508 Lackawanna Lane, Nov. 6. Cynthia Annette Chomicki, 2950 Daystar Drive, Nov. 7. Lucy A Green, 709 Anchor, No.
Chapter 13 Thomas Eby, Cheri Ann Eby, P.O. Box 852, Red Lodge, Nov. 4. Derald Thiessen, Yoshiko Thiessen, 216 13th St. W., Nov. 12. Elaine Louise Estacio, 2580 Avalon Road, Nov. 15. Richard Wayne Newkirk, Maureen Viola Newkirk, 3347 Duck Creek Road, Nov. 27. Christopher Jesse Folk, Amanda Marie Folk, 6530 Neibauer Road, Dec. 16.
Business licenses The following business licenses were issue during November 2013. The information is collected by the city of Billings.
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Billingsbusiness
Billings Commercial Building Permits Remodel
2055 Woody Drive
Roman Catholic Bishop
$68,000
Remodel
1447 Grand Ave.
Rod Nielsen
Fence/Roof/Siding
1211 Mullowney Lane
Bonbeck NCR LLC
Akers Precision
$21,000
Remodel
585 S. 24th St. W.
Dahle Investments Ltd.
Remodel
1603 Grand Ave.
West Park Plaza Associates LLC
Protech Mechanical Inc.
$85,000
Remodel
801 N. 29th St.
Billings Clinic
Hardy Construction Co.
$50,001
Remodel
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
$80,000
Remodel
2800 10th Ave. N.
Deaconess Medical Cntr Of Blgs
Jones Construction Inc.
$10,000
Remodel
1595 Grand Ave.
West Park Plaza Associates LLC
$45,000
Remodel
421 N. 24th St.
Northwest Scientific
EEC Inc.
$35,250
Remodel
2940 Grand Ave.
Beartooth Crossfi
Blue Diamond Construction
$15,000
Remodel
735 Grand Ave.
Mike Schimitt
Kenco Enterprises Inc.
$4,588
Remodel
703 N. 29th St.
Phoenix Condominium
Advanced Protection Systems Inc.
$38,719
Addition
331 Bohl Ave.
Bohl Properties LLC
Billings Remodel And Paint Inc.
$7,500
Remodel-Change In Use
150 N. Ninth St.
Green Leaf Land & Livestock Co.
Jones Construction Inc.
$250,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1206 Main St.
Hawkins Family Trust
Kirkness Roofing & Supply
$9,981
Remodel-Change In Use
605 24th St. W.
Dan Schmaltz
Jones Construction Inc.
$485,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
3290 Granger Ave. E
SFC Harvest-Granger Investors
Sprague Construction Roofing Div
$27,000
Remodel-Change In Use
1211 Mullowney Lane
David Hanson
$175,000
New Parking Lot/Non-Bldg 5151 Midland Road
Farm To Market Engines LLC
Rocky Mountain Diesel
$67,063
Remodel
3800 Pierce Parkway
Pierce Building LLP
Remodel-Change In Use
175 S. 25th St. W.
After Shock LLC
EEC Inc.
Fence/Roof/Siding
1625 Central Ave.
Grand Lanes Inc.
A-1 American Made Inc.
Industrial/Factory/Plant
98 Skyline Drive
Billings Heights Water System
Cop Construction LLC
Remodel
114 N 28th St.
Babcock LLC
Remodel
3443 Central Ave.
Story Distributing/Casey’s Corner Laughlin Construction Inc.
$5,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1245 Central Ave.
Staley Harry R & Susan K Trust
Lennick Bros. Roofing
Fence/Roof/Siding
548 Main St.
Tom Newman
Fisher Roofing
Fence/Roof/Siding
2223 Mission Way
Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth Bradford Roof Management Inc.
New 5 Or More Family
501 S. 44th St. W.
Mike Stock
Stock Construction Co.
$9,168,102
New 5 Or More Family
S. 44th St. W.
Mike Stock
Stock Construction Co.
New Other
501 S. 44th St. W.
Mike Stock
New Warehouse/Storage
501 S. 44th St. W.
New Warehouse/Storage
501 S. 44th St. W.
New Warehouse/Storage
Neumann Construction
$25,000 $350,000
$20,000
Remodel
3940 Rimrock Road
Lutheran Retirement Home Inc.
$60,000
$480,000
Remodel
117 N. 28th St.
Robertson, Jeff and Donna
$1,500
$16,000
Remodel
302 S. 27th St.
Jeff Robertson
$5,000
$955,700
Remodel
5 Lewis Ave.
American Lutheran Church
Master Protection Corp.
$1,924
$20,000
Remodel
175 N. 27th St.
SFH II LLC
Jones Construction Inc.
$20,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
3123 8 Ave. S.
Friendship House Of Christian
Bradford Roof Management Inc.
$40,000
$6,800
New 3/4 Family
2013 Lakehills Drive
Boeschen Kenneth E.
R J Mac Homes
$5,500
New Hotel/Motel
4770 King Ave. E.
RW Billings
New Other
1438 Grand Ave.
BSK Grand 2285 LLC
Laughlin Construction Inc.
Remodel
1017 Grand Ave.
Carisch Brothers
Gray Companies Inc.
$150,000
$9,168,102
Remodel
111 S. 24th St. W.
Rimrock Mini-Mall LLC
Shaw Construction
$20,000
Stock Construction Co.
$357,984
Remodel
1020 Central Ave.
1020 Central Avenue LLC
Fisher Construction Inc.
$29,500
Mike Stock
Stock Construction Co.
$364,980
Remodel
19 N. 28th St.
Nothern Hotel
Epcon Sign Co.
$10,000
Mike Stock
Stock Construction Co.
$355,740
Remodel
635 Wicks Lane
First National Properties LLC
Hulteng Inc.
$10,000
501 S. 44th St. W.
Mike Stock
Stock Construction Co.
$348,040
Remodel-Change In Use
900 S. 24th St. W.
Lamplighter Lounge Inc.
Spring Corp.
$135,000
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$30,665
Addition
2914 Millennium Circle
Kennedy Properties LLC
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$30,665
Fence/Roof/Siding
736 Grand Ave.
Appraisal Inspection Services
Aaron Higginbotham
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$51,111
Fence/Roof/Siding
1120 S. 27th St.
Ground State LLC
Sprague Construction Roofing Div
$46,000
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$51,111
New Other
1430 W. Wicks Lane
City Of Billings
Natgun Corp.
$50,500
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$51,111
New Warehouse/Storage
430 S. Billings Blvd.
Hanser Automotive Co. Inc.
S Bar S Supply Contractor
New Warehouse/Storage
4215 Montana Sapphire
Montana Sapphire LLC
Inland Montana LLC
$51,111
Remodel
405 Main St.
Double LC Partners LLC
C Squared Construction
Remodel
544 Ave. E
David W Klimper Trust
$55,000
Remodel
111 S. 24th St. W.
Rimrock Mini-Mall LLC
Shaw Construction
Billingsbusiness
$30,000
$450,000 $3,427,115 $20,000
$100,000 $3,200
$404,456 $8,500 $20,000
February 2014
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