API Outsourcing, Inc. provides its customers with Robotics Process Automation (RPA) technology that offers simple and secure solutions to automate accounts payable and accounts receivable processes. Centreviews, the technology recently developed and branded by API, poises the company for significant growth. The cloud-based application involves software robots and artificial intelligence, and customers can implement it without making capital investments.

“RPA is now vital in accounting and other back office departments,” said Gary Halleen, API CEO. “As companies grow, daily operations become more labor-intensive. Our new RPA product helps organizations process and manage invoices, payments and other documents in a secure and highly efficient manner.”

API was founded in 1998 in St. Paul, Minnesota and opened an operation center in Two Harbors in 2000 with the assistance of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. Over 30 full-time and part-time workers are employed by API in Two Harbors, and 10 additional full-time equivalent workers may be hired with the expanded RPA operations.

API has been located in its current space in Two Harbors for over 18 years and soon will relocate to the North Shore Business Enterprise Center (NSBEC), also in Two Harbors. NSBEC is a multi-tenant building with several existing tenants and room for API and additional occupants.

“The new RPA coupled with the relocation into a new space enables our company to hire “BOT” managers and other technical positions,” said Halleen. “We will provide computer training to upskill existing workers in the region as well as attract new technical workers moving into the area. Our employees from the region have always demonstrated hard work and dedication, which has contributed to the success of API.”

Several API customers are connected to the taconite mining and steel industries such as AK Steel, Steel Dynamics, A.R. Wilfley & Sons and Crenlo. Other clients from a wide array of industries include Oliver Companies of Duluth, Delta Airlines, Sirius XM Satellite Radio and Kohler Co.

“Employees are often concerned that accounting automation will put them out of work but research has shown that doesn’t happen,” said Halleen. “Instead employees find that their time can be spent on higher-level duties instead of time-consuming mundane and repetitive tasks.” View video of Jeremy Sparling, Controller at A.R. Wilfley & Sons, explaining how Centreviews benefited his organization.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this project with a business loan to API and a grant to the nonprofit North Shore Business Enterprise Center (NSBEC) for building renovations to accommodate API’s expansion. API also received a business loan in 2000 that has been repaid in full. Email Matt Sjoberg for information or call him at 218-735-3037.

Pictured above left are the API Outsourcing employees. 

A recent study examined the economic feasibility of introducing mass timber manufacturing to the state of Minnesota and/or Minnesota’s Arrowhead region. Specifically, the study examined cross-laminated timber (CLT) which is a wood panel system that has gained popularity after being widely adopted in Europe. The study concluded:

• The growth of multi-family construction and the trend towards sustainable building materials have positively impacted the demand for CLT in the United States.
• Lumber mills and wholesalers in the Great Lakes region produce and distribute more than enough lumber in the grades and dimensions suitable for CLT manufacturing and have the ability to increase production and distribution volumes as the market demands.
• Significant economic impacts could result from a new CLT firm locating in the region. Building a mid-sized manufacturing facility in northeastern Minnesota could bring 50 new (direct) jobs, $11.7 million in industry sales, and 45 new (indirect) jobs.

“Minnesota has incredible potential to grow our secondary wood products sector to include mass timber manufacturing,” said Tamara Lowney, president of Itasca Economic Development Corporation. “This study answered the key question, 'is there access to lumber that meets the specifications required by mass timber?' with a solid yes. We are fortunate to have that supply in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Canada.”

The study was conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) and the Center of Economic Development (CED) at the University of Minnesota, Duluth’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics. Supporting partners included APEX, Blandin Foundation, Minnesota Power an ALLETE Company, Great River Energy, Itasca Economic Development Corporation and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.

View the study.

Pictured above is a mass timber (mass plywood panel) facility in Oregon.

A comprehensive plan can guide a community in future decisions concerning housing, transportation, economic development, land use, recreation and public utilities. Preparing an effective plan can be costly and requires technical expertise to which small communities often do not have access.

Between 2014 and 2018, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation funded a  grant program to assist cities and townships with the costs of updating or completing plans. The grants helped pay for skilled and experienced municipal planners to convene community stakeholders and engage the public to develop a blueprint for their community. Forty-seven communities in the agency’s service area successfully updated or completed a comprehensive plan.

“From Ironton to Beaver Bay and from Cook to Buhl, cities across the region took the initiative to inventory their assets, strengthen zoning and development, and shape public policy,” said Whitney Ridlon, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation community development representative. “Having a current comprehensive plan can increase a rural community’s eligibility for future state, federal and philanthropic grants for projects related to infrastructure, broadband and transportation.”

Community technical assistance is part of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation’s commitment to preparing communities for the future. Email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004 for more information.