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
Your one-stop resource for finding help to export to new customers, to learn about government export programs, to join export-promoting trade missions, to sign up for trade conferences and training, and to link to other exporting services. Whether you're an old hand at exporting or just getting started, the Exporting Source provides a place to locate foreign customers, export financing and foreign investment assistance.