William Henry Studio
Faced with rising costs and a California environment unfriendly to business, Matt Conable, president and designer of William Henry Knives, was looking, not only for a place to grow his business, but for a community with a desirable lifestyle, location and affordability–a place that could offer true quality of life for him and his employees.
A designer of craftsman knives known for his meticulous attention to the smallest details, Conable faced endless details to relocate his business. “On my visit I met with the MIP Board. They were very gracious and helpful.”
“MIP put me in touch with the state and, at the time, they had a cash for jobs program,” explained Conable. He noted that the lower cost of living, particularly for housing, helped him attract a qualified and motivated labor force. “It was easier to connect with people here who brought a strong work ethic, and they were happy to have a job with full benefits.”
The lower cost of property also enabled William Henry to purchase 6,400 square feet of studio space.
Conable expected his relocation year, 2004, to take a hit in profits because of relocation expenses and downtime in production, “but we ended up 10% that year. It was a very pleasant surprise and not what I expected.”
“William Henry has a very bright future,” added Conable.