Spika Design & Manufacturing Advances Rural Manufacturing and Community Impact
A woman-owned Montana manufacturer was named Montana's 2026 Small Business Persons of the Year by SBA.
Spika Design & Manufacturing, based in Lewistown, Montana, is expanding aerospace, defense, and transportation capabilities while investing in rural jobs with support from SBA programs and resource partners.
The business started on the family ranch outside Lewistown and grew into a manufacturer serving customers across the country while continuing to operate in rural Montana. Led by sisters Katie and Bekhi Spika, the team designs and manufactures custom access platforms and work systems for aerospace, defense, transportation, and industrial customers across the country.
Start with a mission
Spika Design & Manufacturing was founded in the early 2000s by the Spika sisters' parents after their father left a local manufacturing company to start a business of his own. Raised on a farm outside Lewistown, the family understood firsthand the challenges rural communities faced as farming alone became harder to sustain.
"Our Dad was hoping he'd be able to provide a handful of good jobs for neighbors so they wouldn't have to move away from the community." - Bekhi Spika
That focus on supporting the local community remains central to the business today, with roughly 80 people now employed in Lewistown and continuing to invest in long-term opportunities in rural Montana.
"We invest in our community here and they invest in us." - Katie Spika
Support from SBA and resource partners
As they grew, SBA programs helped support expansion and additional investment in the business.
Spika Design & Manufacturing utilized an SBA 504 loan to refinance debt and expand its facility, allowing them to bring powder coating operations in-house and increase production capabilities.
The expansion gave them more control over production while reducing transportation and quality challenges.
"I don't think our bank could have supported our growth without the SBA guarantee. That loan gave us the ability to continue expanding." - Katie Spika
They also became certified as a Women-Owned Small Business, helping expand opportunities within federal contracting.
Results of SBA support
Spika Design & Manufacturing has grown into a highly specialized manufacturer focused on solving difficult engineering and access problems.
The business now supports customers across aerospace, defense, transportation, and space programs, including work connected to NASA's Artemis program. Its custom-built systems are designed to meet demanding environments ranging from clean rooms to military maintenance facilities.
"We can meet really unique and demanding requirements from our customers. We will bend over backwards to make sure our customers are happy." - Bekhi Spika
That ability to solve difficult problems has helped them expand into new industries, including electric bus manufacturing.
They also recently completed their CMC certification to meet new defense contracting requirements and continue supporting government and defense customers.
Investing in workforce and community
As workforce shortages continue to affect manufacturing across the country, Spika Design & Manufacturing has focused heavily on training, internships, and introducing students to manufacturing careers.
Every year, the company brings students into the facility through Manufacturing Day, giving hundreds of students' hands-on exposure to welding, engineering projects, manufacturing demonstrations, and shop tours.
They also partner with schools and colleges throughout Montana while training many employees internally for machining, welding, and assembly roles.
"This is a place where people can have a career that they're proud of." - Katie Spika
Supporting the community is also a major part of the business. Through its annual day of service and the Spika Community Foundation, they support nonprofits and community projects throughout the Lewistown area.
Final thoughts
For Katie and Bekhi Spika, the recognition from SBA reflects more than just business growth. It represents the employees, customers, and community that helped shape the business over the last two decades.
"This award is really a reflection of the team." - Katie Spika
As they continue to grow, they remain focused on creating good jobs, supporting American manufacturing, and continuing to build products for customers across the country.
For more information on SBA loan programs and resources, visit SBA.gov