ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2017 - 16

Karma has kept its head above water during the
downturn, whereas many machining outfits have gone
under. It's not a big surprise, says Dave, that so much of
the competition is gone. "From 2011 to 2014, with zero
sales effort on our part, the business exploded. When the
bottom fell out of the oil market, we had to become really
aggressive and take an innovative approach to business
development. We couldn't just sit back and do what we'd
always done. Things had changed, maybe for ever."
What does that means?
"It means," explains Shorty. "Doing different things and
when you DO do the same things, you may have to do them
differently. For example, we're going to the Netherlands
to pitch manufacturing in Edmonton. According to our
research, there's real opportunity there. Also, one of our big
lessons learned is that you don't shut down. Ever. You find a
way to keep going and build on what you have."
They go on to describe some of the out-of-the-box
approaches they've taken, such as entertaining small,
or more engineering-focused jobs than they would have
previously. Or working hard to build their network with
a range of stakeholders, including Alberta Innovates, a
number of other government organizations, and NAIT.
In fact, this latter relationship saw them design and
machine the FEPS wrist rehabilitation device featured
in the Technology Alberta September 2016 Capstone
Project issue (www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_
summer_2016). This, in turn, connected them with the
Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and the medical device
field, which is showing great promise.
They've also backed their belief in seeing Alberta
diversify its economy by bringing in four resident
clients-individuals and small enterprises that lease
space from Karma and use Dave and Shorty's machining
and engineering services while developing their own
proprietary products and technologies.

16 | SPRING 2017 | TECHNOLOGY ALBERTA

The net result is that when you walk in to Karma,
as Dave puts it, "The shop is noisy." That's the way a
machining outfit is supposed to be. It means you're busy.
As we prepare to conclude our interview, Shorty adds
something important. "We really can't take all the credit
for this, by the way. First, my wife, Melissa, does most
of our admin and keep things on track. Then there's
the terrific group of guys who work with us. Our team
loves new challenges. And last, but really not least,
there's ATB." The bank? "Yeah, our rep has been really
supportive, working with us to find solutions, offer
business advice, and provide entrepreneurial guidance."
Dave Mowat would be proud.
It has become obvious to us that when you occupy a
defined space in a niche market, tough times can cause
you to wither on the vine and die. If, instead, you look
around and find ways to redefine your niche, you greatly
increase your odds of success. 

For more information
on Karma, contact:

Darryl Short, C.E.T., or
Dave deJong, P.Eng.
4113 - 98 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 5N5
T 780.432.6611
info@karmamfg.ca
www.karmamfg.ca
https://www.nxtbook.com/dawson/aset/ta_summer_2016 http://www.karmamfg.ca
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ASET Technology Alberta Spring 2017
