The Carts and Tools Story
Carts and Tools is an Oregon based start-up design and manufacturing company located in Corvallis. Setting up shop in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Carts and Tools is smack in the middle of a local, sustainable and organic movement with deep roots.
“When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization.
Daniel Webster
We believe by providing smaller farmers and growers with tools created especially for them; they can plant, grow and sell more products, be more profitable and achieve their life goal of making a good living through small scale farming. We believe in fine craftsmanship, professional quality materials, proven ergonomics and just the right amount of technology to make our products just work.
The small farmer has been vastly overlooked when it comes to the availability of tools that can enable then to profitably grow fresh, local and sustainable food for all of us. Carts and Tools mission is to change that.
The Carts and Tools Team
President & CEO
Brad Attig
Brad brings his management and businesses development background to Carts and Tools spanning from Fortune 500 companies including Macy’s, Target and Citibank to successful, entrepreneurial pre-IPO start-ups including IvyExec.com.
Born and raised in the Willamette Valley in nearby Harrisburg, surrounded by farmers, Brad is a committed advocate of sustainable living, small farmers, local food and organic practices. When he isn’t working on Carts and Tools, Brad can be found finding ways to keep every imaginable pest out of his garden.
Head Engineer
Jorge Banuelos
Jorge Banuelos is the mechanical engineer for the Carts and Tools product line. A graduate of Oregon State University in Engineering, Jorge has an extensive background designing and creating mock-ups, prototypes, production and the manufacturing of steel parts in a broad spectrum of industries. He has been working on Carts and Tools products since we launched.
Production
Bill Klaverkamp
Bill Klaverkamp joined the team to oversee production and manage inventory. Bill was head expeditor, production and inventory, for Superior Steel Fabrication, 1990 to 2006. In that role, Bill compiled and maintained material and parts inventory, production schedules, inventory reports, and work orders to expedite and meet production requirements. Since then, Bill has served as a consultant in the green construction industry. Bill is a past member of the Eco Building Guild and served as the Eugene Chapter President
Founder & Chief Advisor
Michael McGowen
Carts and Tools has existed in Michael McGowen’s mind and garden for several years. Previously having successfully created manufacturing businesses in the technology sector; guiding them from startup to IPO to acquisition, Michael turned his talents to sustainably raising table crops both in New Mexico and now in Oregon.
A lifelong entrepreneur and backyard farmer, developing small farming implements that solve the problems for a market gardener has been his passion. By founding Carts and Tools Michael brings his knowledge, passion, and skills to provide solutions to the under-served and growing sector of sustainable and local agriculture. For the past 3 years Michael has co-directed the Community Table at the Corvallis Farmers Market.