NEWS RELEASE
MONTANA DISTRICT OFFICE
Release Date: August 15, 2023
Release Number: 23-04
Contact: Rena Carlson 406.202.3401
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Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. One of 68 Businesses Recognized Nationally as Part of SBA’s
70th Anniversary Celebration
HELENA, MT – Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced that Wood’s Powr-Grip, Co.,
Inc. has been named an SBA Legacy Business. Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. is one of 68 Legacy Businesses
that got their start with help from the SBA and that are being recognized nationwide as part of the agency’s
70th anniversary celebrations.
This year, SBA’s milestone anniversary celebrates Legacy Businesses that have grown from small startups
into some of the most recognizable brands in the United States with the support of the SBA. “Wood’s Powr-Grip, Co., Inc.
is one of those businesses in Montana who has made their mark nationally and on the international stage as well,” said Montana
District Director Brent Donnelly.
SBA REGION 8 (MONTANA DISTRICT) WINNER:
BRYAN WOOD, PRESIDENT, WOODS POWER GRIP CO, INC., LAURAL, MT
Started in 1947, as a small repair shop in Wolf Point, MT, Wood’s Power-Grip today is a 3rd generation family-owned
business and world-wide leader that designs, manufactures and distributes a full line of hand-held
vacuum cups, below-the-hook vacuum lifters and vacuum mounting cups that make materials handling and
equipment mounting easier. Powr-Grip tools lift, hold and position a variety of smooth, nonporous materials such
as glass, plastics, engine valves, sheet metal, solid surfacing, laminates, stone slabs and appliances. Their vacuum
cups and below-the-hook vacuum lifters can be found in nearly every country in the world and have become
standards in the glass industry. Today they employ 140 people in their 72,500 sq. ft facility in Laurel, MT.
The SBA’s Legacy Businesses recognize past or current small businesses that benefitted from SBA resources
in their early stages. Wood’s Powr-Grip Co., Inc. was able to utilize SBA’s PPP program to maintain
employment during the pandemic and has also utilized the State Trade Expansion Program for export
grants. Additionally, Faye Wood was instrumental in serving as a long-time mentor in SBA’s Women’s
Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) Program, which paired aspiring female business owners with
experienced women in business in a year-long mentor-protégé education program. Bryan Wood has also
served on the board of directors for Big Sky Economic Development Authority who is the host agency for
SBA’s Small Business Development Center, Veteran’s Business Outreach Center and Big Sky Finance, a 504
Certified Development Company.
For 70 years, America’s entrepreneurs have relied on SBA support to help start and grow their small
businesses. Today, the SBA is building upon its success by providing billions of dollars in support to small
businesses which has helped millions of small business owners build meaningful lifelong connections and
help power their local economies.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Rena Carlson 406.202.3401.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only
go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA
empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start,
grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive
network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit
www.sba.gov.
