Going global: Alaska reaps benefits; homegrown, their reach is far and wide, but their dollars return to the state in many cases.

AuthorOrr, Vanessa
PositionCover Story

There are many challenges to establishing a business in Alaska. There are logistics concerns, communications issues, and complications created by vast distances and a less-than-welcoming climate. Yet companies that do gain a foothold in the Last Frontier have one advantage that companies elsewhere in the nation do not--after using Alaska as their training ground, they have the experience to take on the world.

"Once businesses conquer the Alaska market, they have the capacity to do work around the globe," said Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. "The Alaska business experience is unique--companies that have grown here understand working from long distances, and the types of travel and transportation that requires. We understand unique climate conditions, and we are used to doing business off-site. Because of this experience, and the state's logistics and location, I believe that our capacity to do global business is where the future is."

GOING BEYOND OUR BORDERS

Once a company has successfully put down roots in the state, it is only natural that they might look for new markets outside. Carlile Transportation, an asset-based motor carrier, decided to move into the Edmonton, Alberta, Calgary and Houston markets primarily to provide their oil and gas industry clients with over-the-road service.

"What's made us successful is anticipating the market and what will be needed by our customers," explained President Harry McDonald of the company that has been based in Alaska for 25 years and has more than 500 employees. "We are a very entrepreneurial company, and we are always looking for new opportunities, including those outside of the state."

One such opportunity was the purchase of K&W Transportation in Federal Way, Wash., in 1994. This purchase, which gave Carlile its first interstate link, enabled it to build up clientele in the continental U.S. These customers are also able to take advantage of Carlile's new facility in the Port of Tacoma, which was completed at the end of 2005.

"Our new multi-modal facility in the Port of Tacoma is double the size of our Anchorage facility at 65,000 square feet," said Linda Leary, vice president, sales and marketing. "Through the Tacoma facility, we serve Alaska clients, military clients, continue to handle Pacific Northwest clients through our heavy haul group, and do Container Freight Service (CFS) work."

RIM Architects is another Anchorage firm that decided to look beyond Alaska's borders to find new business. In 1987, the 1-year-old company heard of an opportunity in Guam, and decided to...

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