Photos courtesy of Windfall, from left to right, top to bottom: Douglas fir and steel block panels, Cambio Wall System, D3 panel reception wall and ceiling fin and lobby desk. 

Lacey MakerSpace + Thurston EDC = a True Design Windfall

Some windfalls are obvious, like banding together to buy a portable mill after an ice storm fells acres of trees. Others are subtle, but equally crucial to small business success. For Windfall Architectural Products, the Thurston EDC and Lacey MakerSpace have been as important as that fateful 1996 ice storm in bringing their product development dreams to life.

Originally just a source for lumber, Windfall’s current owner Scott Royer says they’re now exploring far deeper product development levels. These include selling finished products like their Cambio line of architectural wall design, environmentally friendly interchangeable panels with a unique magnetic installation system.

Royer started accessing the EDC’s small business development resources many years ago to tackle workaday chores like QuickBooks and accounting. To complete this trifecta, Michelle Pope, director of the Lacey MakerSpace worked for Royer early in her career after graduating from The Evergreen State College. Windfall still uses resources from both organizations on a regular basis…with indispensable results.

“As a small business, we do a lot of research and development for new products,” says Royer. “We can take advantage of the Lacey MakerSpace when making prototypes, for example.” And while Windfall has their own suite of technical and industrial machinery, it’s the MakerSpace who recently saved the day. “The circuit board blew on a really exclusive machine,” Royer explains, “and we were able to make a 3D printed replacement when we couldn’t find one for sale online. We’ve now recreated that board several times using Lacey MakerSpace machines. It’s a real boon for us.”

Another win came when they discovered that the MakerSpace owned a specialized waterjet which could hog away material from newly designed shapes. Using it to cut away large swaths of material saves tremendous time and labor overall, allowing their molder’s prototype designer to use its specially designed knives—capable of cutting through ¼-inch steel—to focus on finer details.

Pope explains that Royer signed several of his staff up for a business membership package and they are using MakerSpace equipment to prototype the new Cambio line they’re developing. “Windfall staff have been learning how to use our equipment themselves as well as having us fabricate new cutting tools to get unique contours and designs on the wall panels.” She explains that by creating the circuit board components, for example, “We worked together to fabricate a temporary repair to help them meet a very important deadline until the original part could be replaced, which took weeks.”

But more than crisis management, having access to these tools means Royer and the management team can make smart, informed decisions. “It’s been invaluable,” he says, “using these new tools to make ideas come to life until we decide to capitalize on ourselves. It allows us to play with the leading edge of technology and operation and helps us run the numbers and justify cost because small businesses often gamble on the Return on Investment of a machine.”

Every step of the way, Royer is grateful. To his team, which he calls “a super talented staff who don’t need too much training and love working with the MakerSpace,” and local civic groups and organizations. “I’m thankful they’re there. The EDC is doing an excellent job of creating an innovative climate for business. More and more creative and innovative businesses are popping up in Thurston County, especially in design and architecture.”

You can see Windfall’s legacy in both people and places county-wide. They hire lots of local college grads for summer and full-time work. Much of their labor force has worked with the company for ten years or more and live locally in the community they serve.

Design-wise, their projects have graced local small businesses, restaurants, and schools. They’ve worked with South Puget Sound Community College, Grays Harbor Community College, The Evergreen State College, downtown Olympia’s 222 Market development, and more. Check out their Instagram or visit visit windfall.design and cambio.design to find a gallery of images, collections, and samples.