March 19, 2005

Last modified March 19, 2005 - 12:33 am

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Gazette State Bureau

HELENA - Jore Corp., a Ronan manufacturing company that has made power tool accessories for national companies, is now producing its Montana Brand that it has started marketing in the state.

Jeff Eidsmoe, a marketing consultant for the company, and Jennifer Forbis, the company's retail products coordinator, showed Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Commerce Director Tony Preite, Senate President Jon Tester, D-Big Sandy, and Rep. Jeanne Windham, D-Polson, a display board bearing Jore's Montana Brand products.

For more than 14 years, Jore has made what its brochures call high-quality tool accessories for the retail and industrial markets under the names of Stanley, Sears Craftsman, Makita, Porter Cable, Ryobi and others. The company makes drill bits, connectors and other items that attach to power drills.

In December, Jore Corp. began marketing the Montana Brand power tool accessories in 25 Ace Hardware, Cenex, NAPA and Western Building Centers stores from Whitefish to Hamilton. The company will be expanding its Montana Brand product elsewhere in Montana.

"We're trying to build the brand, and we're looking to expand,'' Eidsmoe said.

Schweitzer clearly approved of the company's use of the Montana Brand name.

"The name Montana has significant mystique around the world,'' Schweitzer said.

Schweitzer noted that the Martz administration shut down the state's Made in Montana program to promote products manufactured here. His administration has revived it, Schweitzer said.

Preite said Jore Corp. employs 200 people and hopes to hire 50 more workers this spring and has a unique working relationship with S&K Electronics, from which it hires workers at certain times, on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

Schweitzer commended the effort, saying his goals for Montana include to have more light manufacturing plants and "to find ways to bring more opportunities to Indian country.''

"We're going to help you grow as much as we can,'' Schweitzer said. "We would like to hold you up to other light manufacturers. We think you're a template for good things to come.''

The representatives of Jore Corp. presented Schweitzer with a 28-piece "quick draw, drill and drive set.'' Schweitzer joked that he might put it to use on the Capitol's third floor in the Legislature, where some of his proposals are stalled.