Manufacturing innovation thrives in the Flathead

When people think of Montana, they often picture mountains, lakes, and wide-open skies— not necessarily manufacturing. But here in the Flathead Valley, we’ve found a powerful ecosystem of support for innovation, entrepreneurship, and small-scale manufacturing that helped turn our idea into a patented product used across the country.  

Our journey began with a simple but stubborn problem in the fiber optic industry — one that my husband and I decided to solve by inventing a tool of our own. That tool became the Fiber Reaper, designed to make fiber optic installation more efficient and less frustrating for field crews.  

Like many entrepreneurs, we started with a sketch and a belief we could do things better. What we didn’t know was how much support existed right here in our own backyard. During the Governor’s Cup weekend, I attended a Montana High Tech Business Alliance networking event at a local brewery. Over a Montana-made beer, an acquaintance introduced me to the director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). That moment was a turning point. MMEC helped us refine our drawings and engineering specs to get the Fiber Reaper production ready.  

Once the design was finalized, they sent a request for proposals to Montana-based metal manufacturers, connecting us with skilled partners who could bring our vision to life — right here in Montana.  

We are experts in telecom, not manufacturing, so having friends who are experts in manufacturing was vital. Their knowledge helped us avoid costly missteps and create a product that meets real-world demands.  

We also received key support from Export Montana, which awarded us a grant to pursue our international patents and attend a major industry trade show. That exposure brought Fiber Reaper to a national audience and gave us the credibility and connections we needed to scale. It was the kind of boost small, rural businesses rarely get — but one that made all the difference. Montana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is filled with organizations deeply invested in the success of homegrown businesses.  

Organizations like the MT High Tech Business Alliance, Montana West Economic Development, Export Montana, MMEC, and the Kalispell Chamber and the chamber’s Manufacturing Alliance provide critical access to mentors, capital, technical expertise, and business connections. These partners are quietly doing the heavy lifting to ensure Montana companies don’t just survive — but thrive.  

Today, the Fiber Reaper is used by fiber optic professionals across the country, but its roots are deeply Montana-made. From the first sketches to final production, our journey has stayed rooted in the Flathead Valley. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of. For anyone with an idea and the drive to pursue it, Montana — and especially the Flathead — offers more support than you might expect. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation, a cold beer, and the right people around you to set big things in motion.