Flathead Valley manufacturers turn out breadth of products while facing range of challenges

Manufacturers are a unique piece of the Flathead Valley economy.

They run the gamut of multi-generational businesses that have been here for more than a century all the way to startup companies in operation for about a year. The products they create are sold locally and internationally. There is incredible diversity in their products, including health supplements, wood products, tactical vehicles, firearms, beer and parts for rocket ships, notes Jenn Cronk with the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.