FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tucson, April 21, 2003
Seeing the need for better career assessment and guidance in schools, the lack of any substantial Internet career product on the market, and the budget shortfalls in school districts across the country, Valpar decided to focus its expertise on developing an Internet-based version of its successful Magellan software. “We’ve seen many changes in 30 years, but it was the enormous possibilities of the Internet, that encouraged us to produce ‘WhereTo?’ for the home market.”
“We’ve kept the price well within the means of families,” stated Rastatter. “Our goal was to make career assessment and exploration as accessible as possible. ‘WhereTo?’ is geared toward middle and high school age students. It can be purchased online at www.assessme.com.”
“It’s a great tool that allows parents to get involved in their kids’ academic and career planning,” said Neal Gunderson, President. “‘WhereTo?’ has been a wonderful experience for my own 17 year-old son.” According to Gunderson, “‘WhereTo?’ gives teens an effective way to learn more about themselves and about career choices. It gives kids lots of great information about jobs, what skills they need for those jobs, and a 4-year high-school class schedule for each job. It can be used throughout a student’s secondary school career, and it integrates nicely with popular school-supplied career books and videos.”
Thirty years ago, Valpar International Corporation got its start in a small trailer on Glenn and Oracle Road with only 5 employees. At that time, Valpar manufactured work samples for vocational testing and rehabilitation. Over the years, software products were developed and added to the Valpar line, which is how Alex Swartz, CEO and software engineer, got his start in the company.
“Explaining what Valpar does to the curious outsider has always been a bit challenging,” explains Swartz. “Put simply, we are manufacturers and software developers. The tough part is explaining the products. Generally speaking, our products measure work-related skills, and provide job-specific information to help people find direction when making career decisions. Historically, we’ve sold to niche markets - occupational and physical therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and the like. Over the years our market has expanded to schools, prisons, and various other government entities. Now we are reaching out to the general public with our web-based product, ‘WhereTo?,’ which we released this spring. Our philosophy is that helping students explore viable job options for themselves, and getting them excited about their futures will motivate them to be more successful in school. And that’s good for everybody.”
Today the company employs eighteen, with offices in Tucson and Milwaukee, dealers worldwide, and boasts of sales to 8000 facilities in all 50 states of the U.S. and in 42 foreign countries.
Contact: Neal Gunderson, 800-633-3321
E-mail: valpar@valparint.com
Valpar International Corporation
2450 W. Ruthrauff Road, Suite 180, Tucson, AZ 85705, USA
Telephone: 520-293-1510
Fax: 520-292-9755
Online at: www.valparint.com