Credc Wacom Expansion

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION Jeanie Ashe 360-567-3180 [email protected] Krista Hildebrand 503-647-4868 [email protected]

GLOBAL HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURER EXPANDS U.S. HEADQUARTERS IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON VANCOUVER, Wash. (September 5, 2008) _ Computer input products manufactured by Wacom, which have made life easier for photographers, designers, animators and artists, have grown so much in popularity that the company is expanding its U.S. headquarters located in Vancouver, Wash. The company will move into its newly expanded offices and distribution center at the end of September 2008. The Vancouver facility serves as the headquarters for all North and South America operations for the company. “Demand for our consumer, professional and OEM product lines coupled with a significant increase in employee headcount created a definite need to expand our operational infrastructure,” said Joseph Deal, Wacom Technology’s president. “We are fortunate to be located in a region of the country that provides easy access to diverse transportation methods and has the skilled labor force we are looking for; everything from engineers, to customer support staff, to warehouse workers.” Vancouver, Wash., is a hotbed of technology businesses that includes such wellestablished firms as Hewlett-Packard, SEH America and Wafer Tech, to name a few. Additionally, the creation of new innovative businesses is encouraged and supported through the Washington Technology Center (WTC), which provides tools, services and funding to entrepreneurs and investors to help expand technological innovation and economic growth throughout the state. This year, WTC awarded Research and Technology Development funding totaling $528,978 to eight

projects that were developed between companies and Washington researchers, two of which were in southwest Washington. “Wacom’s expansion is a reflection of the vitality of the growing high-tech cluster in southwest Washington state,” said Bart Phillips, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC), the lead economic development organization in Clark County, Wash. “In addition to the major ‘brand-name’ companies that have called the area home for years, we are attracting other lesser-known, yet very innovative companies, that are locating here because of the ‘creative class’ of workers who call the Northwest their home.” In addition to the workforce, southwest Washington is an ideal location for Wacom due to the state’s proximity to Pacific Rim countries. The company’s global headquarters are located in Japan and its products are manufactured there as well as in China and then shipped to the Vancouver, Wash., facility for distribution throughout the country. Vancouver is located on the Interstate 5 corridor and is minutes away from the Port of Vancouver USA, which has 13 deep-draft vessel berths and is served by numerous river and ocean-going barge lines. The Port also is a major Northwest hub of rail, highway and air cargo transportation connections, which offer competitive advantages for businesses located in the region. When completed, Wacom’s expanded facilities will house administrative and customer support staff, engineers and distribution center workers. The company, which specializes in pen and touch input solutions for computers, has seen significant growth in all of its product categories. The company’s 24,000-square-foot expansion, which is connected to the existing 13,000-squarefoot office building, will be completed by the end of September 2008. Based off its current and projected level of growth, the company expects the new facilities will meet capacity demands for the next five years. About Vancouver, Washington Vancouver, Wash., sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Ore. It is the seat of government for Clark County, Wash., and is the fastest growing community in the Pacific Northwest. The area has strong industry clusters in semiconductors, high technology and professional services.

About CREDC Serving Clark County since 1982, The Columbia River Economic Development Council (CREDC) is the lead economic development organization in southwest Washington State. It is charged with promoting job creation and investment while maintaining the county's exceptional environment and high quality of life. CREDC is a proactive, results-oriented public/private partnership working with more than 180 associates to assist businesses in relocating or expanding in Clark County. The organization serves as a "one-stop shop" specializing in site location and acquisition, business data and demographics, and process facilitation.