Turning Motion into Momentum: Idaho Manufacturer Taps into Mexico’s Growth Market
Idaho Company Secures Strategic Leads Ahead of Expo Manufactura
Founded in 1969, Encoder Products Company (EPC), based in Sagle, Idaho, designs and manufactures rotary encoders used in industrial automation, robotics, packaging, aerospace, and elevators. A rotary encoder is an electromechanical device that detects rotational movement and converts it into electrical signals, providing information about the position, speed, and direction of the machine it is detecting. They are commonly used in elevators to sense when the elevator needs to speed up and slow down to reach the correct floor level. Founded in 1969, EPC is known for inventing the original cube encoder that is still used as a tool to manufacture many products today.
In preparation for Expo Manufactura, EPC connected with the U.S. Commercial Service Boise and was referred to the U.S. Commercial Service Rural Export Center (REC) for a tailored list of prospective business partners, known as a Potential Partner List. Through the U.S. Small Business Administration, Boise District and Idaho Commerce, the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant helped facilitate the report. The goal: identify strong distribution partners in Mexico to support growth in Latin America.
The company received a Potential Partner List focused on automation, packaging, conveyor systems, robotics, and adjacent sectors—key industries where EPC’s motion feedback technology is in demand. The research targeted small to mid-sized original equipment manufacturers and distributors, emphasizing companies with cross-border experience and familiarity with U.S. business practices.
The feedback from EPC was enthusiastic. Marketing Manager Mike Erikson shared:
“The leads they provided were like they read our minds! It was a treasure trove of high-quality leads that included not only potential end users but also promising candidates for new distributor partnerships.”
He especially valued contacts beyond the trade show list, noting several strong fits.
EPC leveraged this research at Expo Manufactura to pursue distributor relationships and explore opportunities in elevator manufacturing, automated systems, and packaging.
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