Vanport Outfitters of Oregon
April 5, 2013
(ITA)
The Company
Vanport Outfitters produces handmade bags and luggage in Portland, Oregon, using
natural materials from the highest quality local distributors and the sturdiest
construction practices possible. Founded in 2009, the company is the creation of
Nicholas Everett, who has worked with canvas since childhood, and has practiced
custom design work for nearly two decades. Nick’s history is in custom canvas
and furnishings for sailboats and motor yachts. The family business, Hayden
Island Canvas, owned by his father Greg, is Portland’s premier custom marine
canvas shop.
The Success
In early 2011, Vanport Outfitters received its first commercial overseas order
from Japan. That is when they started working the Trade Information Center at
the U.S. Commercial Service, which assisted them throughout the export process.
The company decided to focus on their export potential and actively pursue other
markets, and in doing so, relied on assistance provided by the Trade Information
Center, including market research, trade counseling, and assistance with export
regulations. “Our mission is to provide quality U.S.-made products, and from the
beginning have known that in other markets, American artisanal goods are
sought-after,” said Thomas Craig, Business Manager at Vanport Outfitters.
Some challenges Vanport needed assistance with included building brand awareness
and finding quality contacts overseas to do business with. To address these
issues, Vanport used U.S. Commercial Service business matchmaking services. “As
a small company, few have heard of us, and are already selling competing
products from better known firms. We find that we have to work hard to
demonstrate that we’re serious about our craft. We really enjoyed working with
the U.S. Commercial Service and found that the services provided helped make
selling our goods outside the country easy, and we are continuing to build our
brand awareness,” said Craig.
The Result
Vanport Outfitters has received additional orders from ten different countries,
and is planning to export into East Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Canada. The
company believes their bags have high potential in Asia and Europe, as their
success continues to grow in North America.
“We know that there is a potentially large market both in the U.S. and around
the world,” says Craig. We definitely plan on looking abroad more aggressively
in the future, particularly to Japan.”
Vanport is also planning to launch a belt line soon. “We’re going to be offering
really great hand-made leather products that people will enjoy. Not only will
this be going beyond the bag for us, it’ll be showing that we really have the
talent in house to make the highest quality soft goods,” said Craig.
Welcome to the Exporting Source
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