Kerrits puts down roots at Port

On May 1, the company will open the doors to its much-needed, expanded headquarters at the Port of Klickitat in Bingen.

"We're growing and expanding. We need more space - and we need more people," said President, CEO and entrepreneur Kerri Kent.

Kent began her thriving business in 1986 selling swimsuits that flattered and fit the growing number of women of the windsurfing culture.

After selling the swimwear portion of the business in 2005, Kent and her all-women team continued to grow their equestrian-specific apparel business, now exceeding its capacity in its Industrial Loop location in Hood River.

"We're bursting at the seams of this building, for sure," said Kent. "We've had a great run in Oregon. But with the recent tax changes, plus finding an affordable space, it led us to the Port Building in Bingen," she said about the economic implications. "With the current way they've legislated taxes, Oregon is in the unfortunate position where they"re going to lose businesses. We"re still a part of the Hood River community and we"ll really miss it. We have a lot of established relationships that we intend to maintain, and many of our employees will continue to reside in Hood River."

The new facility at 154 East Bingen Point combines the spaces previously used by two separate businesses, Innovative Composite Engineering (ICE) and Insitu. Two large shipping doors will allow Kerrits to streamline their distribution processes, and the extra space will finally give them more conference and creative space.

"We hope to make a more creative atmosphere and a better space for everyone to work...and maybe do some company Pilates classes," said Kent with a smile.