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Sweet marketing music

Tanner Montague came to town from Seattle having never owned his own music venue before. He’s a musician himself, so he has a pretty good sense of good music, but he also wandered into a crowded music scene filled with concert venues large and small.But the owner of Green Room thinks he found a void in the market. It’s lacking, he says, in places serving between 200 and 500 people, a sweet spot he thinks could be a draw for both some national acts not quite big enough yet for arena gigs and local acts looking for a launching pad.“I felt that size would do well in the city to offer more options,” he says. “My goal was to A, bring another option for national acts but then, B, have a great spot for local bands to start.”Right or wrong, something seems to be working, he says. He’s got a full calendar of concerts booked out several months. How did he, as a newcomer to the market in an industry filled with competition, get the attention of the local concertgoer?

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by Beth Ewen
September 2008

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Green Touch gains from ChemStation’s onsite tank system

Green Touch Systems’ purchase earlier this year of ChemStation is boosting its sales of bulk chemicals, says Steve Bohlke, vice president and general manager. The reason is the system developed by ChemStation, which manufactures cleaning chemicals at locations around the country.

?Instead of bringing in the door 55-gallon drums, having to store them, then taking them out, we put a permanent tank on site.? Customers ?never have to dispose of them. We manufacture the chemicals and pump them in,? Bohlke says. Green Touch is a franchise operation whose parent company is Northland Chemical Corp.

Bohlke predicted in April 60 percent sales growth this year, largely from the acquisition, but had scaled back his expectations by July. He cites a 42 percent increase in base chemicals cost since the beginning of the year, which he says can?t be fully passed on to customers.

Also, his team of 18 was distracted by a move in July of their manufacturing facility, from Minneapolis across from the new Gophers stadium site, to Prior Lake where Northland Chemical is located.

Last year revenue was $750,000 at Green Touch, and he says they?re on track to top $1 million this year.

Green Touch?s customers use the chemicals to clean plants, parts and vehicles, including airplanes for Sun Country Airlines. Bohlke says customers like the tank-less system, as well as the biodegradable products and the equipment so workers never have to mix the chemicals or be exposed to undiluted product.

Steve Bohlke, Green Touch Systems: 612.598.7231;  sbohlke@chemstation.net; www.chemstation.net