Glacier Country News

Kalispell-based small business Burgi Engineers LLC was awarded the 2019 Montana Exporter of the Year award as they were able to increase their workforce and demand for their products despite the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a Montana Department of Commerce press release.

The Montana District Export Council in partnership with the Montana Department of Commerce recognizes and assesses quality manufacturers with sophisticated export processes annually, according to a statement released by the state.

"As we went through the process this year, the overall theme kept coming back to what an amazing product Burgi has and what great people they are," Barry Wood, chair of the Montana District Export Council, said in a statement. "We are very proud to have a company like Burgi represent our state this year, and we look forward to witnessing their future success."

The small business has 15 employees, up from just eight in 2017 and their exports have increased threefold during that time with some of their biggest customers coming from Brazil, Japan, India and Poland.

The company is making advances in developing faster, more powerful motors and test stands and Dan Burgi, vice president of Burgi Engineers, credits his workers for increased revenues domestically and overseas.

"Kalispell has provided an outstanding labor pool from which we’ve assembled a top-notch team of engineers and machinists," Burgi said. "As we continue to grow, we’re looking to hire more technically competent people to help us take our world class machines to the next level.”