The owners of Fast Frames, a Colville-based embroidery equipment manufacturer, plan to develop a 96,000-square-foot industrial complex this summer on the West Plains and move their operation there. Their project also will include a 400-unit mini-storage facility.


Construction work on the $1.8 million project is expected to start in July and to be completed in September, says Bryan Vickroy, who owns Fast Frames with his wife, Colleen.


The Vickroys will build three 32,000-square-foot buildings and the storage complex on 10 acres of land, southwest of the Geiger Boulevard-Interstate 90 interchange off of Ben Franklin Lane.


Fast Frames makes a host of accessories for commercial embroidery equipment, such as clamps, embroidery arms, and stands. It also makes aluminum and stainless steel embroidery frames and hoops that allow embroiderers to sew promotional logos and artwork on objects, such as clothing, hats, golf bags, belts, wallets, backpacks, and bags.


We develop products that can be added on to existing machines, Vickroy says. Its like somebody else makes the car, and we make the fancy hubcaps.


Fast Frames employs six people in Colville. It will relocate to one of the new structures the Vickroys plan to build on the West Plains, and the couple will lease out the other two buildings, Vickroy says. Fast Frames will double its space when it moves, he says.


Fast Frames plans to hire 14 more workers after moving into its new quarters. The company projects revenues of $1.2 million in 2005, which would be up 26 percent from last year, Vickroy says.


Vickroy says the company has worked with Nike Inc. and Microsoft Corp. companies. It has customers across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.


The company expects to reduce its shipping costs dramatically after the move because it will be close to Spokane International Airport. The location also will be more convenient for the companys sales representatives, who frequently fly.


Vickroy founded Fast Frames in 1997. He moved the company to Colville from Seattle about five years ago.