As competition in high tech manufacturing increases and jobs move off shore, local manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to set themselves apart. YNN's Leah George shares the strategy of Ontario County-based Badger Technologies in this morning's Business Profile.

Badger Technologies, started as an electrical components distributor in Yates County 16 years ago.

It eventually started building custom electrical cable and wire harnesses. Custom armored cable like this is used by clients in the rail industry, as part of the braking system.
Badger Technologies bought the printed circuit board assembly segment of its business from a Cleveland operation about eight years ago and opened a second site in Ontario County.
Badger recently expanded the Farmington facility, and consolidated the businesses under one roof.

Togo DeBellis, CEO & President Badger Technologies said, "That's the efficiencies of staying alive. That's why it had to be done."

CEO Togo DeBellis believes this one-stop shopping option, gives Badger a competitive edge.

DeBellis said, "There's quite a few major competitors in the area, what makes us unique is that we have cable and PCB board work together under one roof. The marketplace consistently has one or the other."

Badger has about 50 customers, mostly within a 150 mile radius. Client's orders range from $20,000 to more than a million dollars. DeBellis says Badger contracts mostly, with military, transportation and medical companies.

DeBellis added, "So most of those folks come, they can come here and see how their work is going and can be involved with our engineering staff here."

DeBellis believes acquiring top local engineers helped Badger grow to employ 113 people. He said lean manufacturing is also critical, when so many similar businesses are being outsourced to Asia.

"Lean, very lean and we've learned to again consolidate and get efficient at what we do so we can compete,” said DeBellis.

Badger Technologies is owned by a local investment group, DeltaPoint Capital Management. DeBellis says DeltaPoint is committed to keeping jobs in Upstate New York and he's committed to doing all he can to ensure that happens.

DeBellis said, "I certainly hope that Badger's a growing and prosperous company in upstate New York, and that we can compete, not only regionally as we talked about but nationally and globally.'

Badger Technologies. This week's in-depth business profile. Leah George YNN