Special to The Archery Wire
By Vicki Hillhouse
Walla Walla Union Bulletin

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Martin Archery, Walla Walla's relatively small but world-renowned bow manufacturer, will have its sights on major expansion in the next two years, its chief executive officer said this week.

With new product lines in the works, plans for more affordable offerings, work on a marketing survey to streamline customer relations, and more jobs on the horizon, the company is poised to reposition itself as a major player in the archery universe.

"When we walk into 2015, I can simply tell you as small as we are ... you need to act big," Martin Archery CEO Rich Weatherford said in a presentation to about 50 business representatives gathered for the Port of Walla Walla's Economic Development Advisory Commission meeting Tuesday.

At 50 employees now, new management for the business, which was a breath away from closure last fall, has already surpassed its commitment to bring 35 people on board this year. And while Weatherford made his presentation he said a sales representative was simultaneously pitching to outdoor retailer Cabela's.

The business, founded by the late Gail Martin more than six decades ago, has been a model of quality in bow manufacturing but was beleaguered by debt in recent years. The death of its founder, an Archery Hall-of-Famer, last year left it with an uncertain future.

Near closure, the Port of Walla Walla brokered a deal with California-based Diversis Capital. The Port bought the 4.67-acre property, including 58,000-square-foot main plant along Heritage Road, for $1.3 million, and then entered into a 10-year lease with Diversis.

The company launched Martin Sports, and continued running the bow manufacturer as Martin Archery.

Weatherford, a Georgia native who'd been in the Northwest about seven years, said he found his dream job as CEO, combining his love of the outdoors with his knack for working lean manufacturing operations.

"It was humbling to be the first person after Gail," he said. "It wasn't for me just another job."

In addition to streamlining the operation and perfecting efficiencies, Weatherford said Martin Archery has contracted with a company for a $50,000 marketing survey that will help the business reach its unusual customer base - a mix of bowhunters who are aging while more newcomers are getting their introduction to archery, bowhunting and bowfishing at 18 to 25.

Meanwhile, the company's three-piece takedown sets - which have been "hot" for Martin - are facing two product line extensions for bowfishing and target shooting. By October and November, he said the company will be "back on the hiring train," preparing for the holidays. He expects another 15 to 20 jobs as the company expands.

For 2014 Weatherford said the company anticipates manufacturing about 25,000 takedowns; about 3,000 Damon Howatt recurve bows; and 13,000 to 14,000 compound bows. Those numbers will serve as the baseline for 2015, when he projects a 40 percent increase in production. For comparison, in its 1990s heyday Martin Archery produced 30,000 to 35,000 compound bows, Weatherford said.
"Next year looks like it's probably going to be a breakout year," he said.
"When the 2015 product line comes out, look out 'cause it's going to be a big one next year."

Reprinted with permission:http://union-bulletin.com/news/2014/jul/24/martin-archery-takes-flight-after-relaunch/

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