Manufacturing Group
ACS Industries Inc.
Joe Zeno
ACS Industries Inc. is a manufacturer and provider of attachments for off-road and construction equipment. The company tailors its attachment solutions to customer needs. This quality of service combined with strategies for new sales opportunities has allowed the company to grow following a sales dip, increasing sales by 9 percent and employment by 30 percent from 2009 to 2010.
AESCO
Bill Feth
AESCO, an electronics manufacturing and distributing company, often readjusts its business model to meet customers’ needs and facilitate growth. To combat the economic slump in 2009, AESCO’s leadership team re-evaluated its operations, streamlined processes and increased new customer relations, raising sales by $18 million and adding 74 new employees over a four-year period ending in 2010.
Amish Mills Inc.
Christopher J. Karman
Amish Mills Inc., a manufacturer of solid wood furniture and cabinetry, has grown significantly since a 2003 leadership transition broadened the company’s product selection and introduced it nationally to high-quality retailers. This expansion led to a 400 percent employee increase from 2006 to 2010, as well as a 173 percent increase in sales.
Cletronics Inc.
David E. Sands
Cletronics Inc. is a contract manufacturer of custom wound electronic components. The company took action to grow its existing customer base while adding new customers by becoming certified in AS9100, an aerospace quality system. Yearly sales have nearly tripled from the end of 2005 to the present, and the company has more than doubled its staff.
Compass Systems & Sales Inc.
Robert S. Sherrod
Compass Systems & Sales Inc., an engineering-based company specializing in pneumatic conveying systems, fosters growth by adapting its material handling systems for different markets. Compass customized its system to fit the needs of the automotive industry when the recession hit, landing contracts such as GM. The company was able to rehire workers, and sales increased 96 percent from 2006 to 2010.
Falcon Industries Inc.
Don Fitzgerald and Brian Fitzgerald
Falcon Industries Inc. produces custom conveyor and mixing screws, metal ribbons and other flighting. Growth prompted the 2006 expansion of its facility in Cosmos, Minn., and by 2008, continued success necessitated a second facility be built in Medina. In line with this expansion, the company saw a 13 percent sales increase over a four-year period ending in 2010.
Network Polymers
Alan Woll and Michael Neumann
Network Polymers, a supplier of high-quality thermoplastic materials and resins, has recently made significant investments in both equipment and personnel to ensure both short- and long-term growth. The company grew its sales by more than $7 million from 2006 to 2010. Network Polymers partners with Akron University to employee college students and participates in a number of annual fundraising drives.
PartsSource Inc.
A. Ray Dalton
PartsSource Inc. provides health and medical equipment replacement parts and software solutions related to parts acquisition and management. The growing company supplies parts to more than 11,000 technicians who service more than half the nation’s hospitals. Sales increased more than $60 million from 2006 to 2010, a period over which the company’s staff grew by 114 employees.
Quality Mold Inc.
Steve Zoumberakis
Quality Mold Inc. has grown into the largest, fully integrated tire mold manufacturer in the United States. The company owns and operates two manufacturing plants in Northeast Ohio and has additional plants located in Illinois, Alabama, Mexico, Brazil and Slovakia. The company’s fully integrated process keeps it ahead of international competition, contributing to a $4.8 million sales increase from 2006 to 2010.
Quasimoto Interactive Inc.
Jessica Fuller
Quasimoto Interactive Inc., a privately owned specialty designer and manufacturer of high-end game cabinets and electronics, expects to top its already tremendous growth. While the company experienced a 128 percent sales increase from 2006 to 2010, Quasimoto is on target to surpass its fiscal 2010 sales by more than 500 percent this year.
RBB Systems
Bruce Hendrick
RBB Systems provides custom assemblies and services to clients needing electronic contract manufacturing work. A switched focus to small batch jobs combated the drop in demand from the company’s previous client base due to the recession, enabling RBB to preserve 40 jobs. The company has recovered and continues to grow, with an 11 percent staff increase from 2009 to 2010.
Sattler Cos.
David Sattler
Sattler Cos. has recommitted itself to aggressive growth strategies, bringing on experienced managers to improve internal operations and reinvest in the company’s core business. This new management team has created support processes for a business model emphasizing marketing and sales, as well as investment in capital equipment and employee retention. Sattler saw a 23 percent sales increase from 2009 to 2010.
Shearer’s Foods Inc.
Robert Shearer
Shearer’s Foods Inc. in a top manufacturer and distributor of award-winning snack foods as well as a manufacturer of private label products for the retail snack industry. As the nation’s leading producer of kettle-cooked potato chips, the company employs more than 1,600 associates nationwide. From 2006 to 2010, the business accelerated sales growth by 185 percent and added 926 employees, increasing its head count by 152 percent.
SILMIX — Ohio, Wacker Chemical Corp.
Kenneth G. Kemerer
SILMIX — Ohio, a division of Wacker Chemical Corp., is a manufacturer of custom silicone compounds. The company has gone through numerous changes to accommodate growth including additional partnerships and a new facility. In a four-year period ending in 2010, the company saw an 18 percent sales increase, as well as a 31 percent increase in its number of employees.
WMK Inc. dba MobilityWorks
William Koeblitz
MobilityWorks is the largest modifier of commercial wheelchair vans in the nation and largest retailer of accessible minivans in the consumer market. The company has grown to 14 consumer retail locations in seven states. MobilityWorks increased sales by 51 percent and grew its staff by 28 percent from 2006 to 2010.
Technology Group
AtNetPlus Inc.
Jim Laber and Jay Mellon
AtNetPlus Inc. provides IT support to business such as managed services, Web development, backup solutions, hosting and collocation to SMBs. The company has seen tremendous employee growth, with a 92 percent increase from 2006 to 2010. As its staff has grown, AtNetPlus has established service standards to ensure employees provide exceptional customer service. This has contributed to a 67 percent sales increase during the same five-year period.
Corporate Technologies Group Inc.
Jeff Sumner and Brett Harney
Corporate Technologies Group Inc. is a voice, data and Internet technology management company. To maintain industry success and increase revenue, the company strives to keep up with its evolving field by focusing on new technologies. The company recently created a new division, CTG services, to focus on LAN and cloud services. The company’s continued growth can be seen in its 37 percent sales increase from 2006 to 2010.
Etactics Inc.
Michael Teutsch
Etactics Inc., a business services company that enhances the accuracy and delivery of time-sensitive documents, continues to add new products and services that add significant value to clients. To prepare for future growth, the company also looks to outsource things outside of its core competency. The company has been able to increase sales 37 percent and add to its staff since 2006.
Knotice
Brian Deagan
Knotice sells direct digital marketing software and services. By allowing digital marketers to effectively communicate with customers, the company has grown tremendously, using innovative and unique products as a competitive edge. Knotice increased sales 533 percent between 2006 and 2010 and also hired 43 more employees during that time.
Payroll4Construction.com
Fred Ode and Michael Ode
Payroll4Construction.com was created to fill a niche because payroll for the construction industry was a lengthy and difficult in-house task and larger payroll services couldn’t handle complexities specific to the industry such as multiple states, localities, jobs and pay rates. Payroll4Construction.com saw an amazing 30,107 percent sales increase from 2006 to 2010, and grew from one employee to nine.
Prentke Romich Co.
Dave Moffatt
Prentke Romich Co. develops, designs, engineers, markets and services augmented and alternative devices for people with a variety of disabilities. When other companies were reducing staff during the recent economic downturn, Prentke Romich was still growing. The company’s sales increased 111 percent between 2006 and 2010, while staff size increased 66 percent.
Summit Data Communications
Ron Seide
Summit Data Communications, a provider of industrial-grade and medical-grade wireless modules for connectivity devices, has achieved success by creating products with reliable connectivity in harsh and challenging environments. The company has grown quickly, with more than two-thirds of its revenue now coming from overseas. Sales increased 863 percent from 2006 to 2010, while staff size grew 188 percent.
Services Group
Americas International Inc.
Wayne Stair
Americas International Inc. is a wholesale distributer of rubber and rubber chemicals. The company has expanded from its roots in Akron to include regional sales offices in Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles, while a network of warehouse operations ensure on-time, accurate deliveries. Sales increased 404 percent between 2006 and 2010.
Cambridge Home Health Care
Nancy Diller-Shively
Cambridge Home Health Care provides nursing, therapy, home health aide and homemaking services to more than 3,000 people weekly in their homes. Founded with two offices, the company has since grown to 37 offices in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Continuing to expand and develop Medicare services, the company increased sales 56 percent from 2006 to 2010, with 761 additional employees being hired.
ChemSpec Ltd.
Dave Moreland
ChemSpec Ltd. is a distributor of rubber and polymer products. The company’s specialty chemicals are used in rubber products such as seals, gaskets, hoses, o-rings, vibration dampers and other mechanical rubber goods. With the help of a record sales year in 2010, the company has continued to grow in sales and employment since 2006, experiencing 47 percent sales growth and expanding its work force by 50 percent in that time.
Cohen & Co. Ltd.
J. Michael Kolk
Cohen & Co. Ltd., a provider of accounting, tax and business advisory services, maintains a focus on growth both for its clients and for itself. Cohen keeps local businesses viable in a challenging economy by enhancing and adding services, expanding outreach to prospects and clients and investing in technology. Sales increased 38 percent from 2006 to 2010.
COT-PURITECH Inc.
Kip Bolon
COT-PURITECH Inc. is an industrial service company for all areas of industrial lubricants. In addition to improving core services, the company expanded into the power generation, petrochemical, gas transmission and wind power industries to grow sales in a difficult economic environment. Sales increased 102 percent from 2005 to 2010, while the staff grew 69 percent in size.
De Silva Collections Inc.
Christian Silva
De Silva Collections Inc., a custom jeweler, increased sales during the economic downturn that negatively affected most of the jewelry trade. The company has continued to grow and compete with national chains by offering custom and in-house services, a strong bridal program with incentive offers and exclusive designs. Sales increased 121 percent over a four-year period ending in 2010.
Dorman Farrell
Mark Dorman
Dorman Farrell is a full-service consulting firm specializing in customized financial services solutions for corporate and individual clients. The company, which commits itself to placing clients’ needs first while delivering honest and independent advice, has seen significant growth both in sales and staff size. Sales increased 188 percent from 2006 to 2010, while staff increased in size by 118 percent.
Epiphany Management Group
Suranjan Shome
Epiphany Management Group was created in 2007 to transform K-12 education by partnering with progressively minded school leaders and industry innovators, creating collaborative solutions to improve education. Starting with just one employee, the company has quickly grown to a multimillion-dollar organization with 35 employees in three states. EMG increased sales 226 percent through 2010.
Gavin Scott Salon and Spa
Kristie Shaffer
Gavin Scott Salon and Spa has grown by keeping its business plan simple, aiming to provide outstanding customer service, fair pricing and community service. Since its opening in 2008 through last year, the company increased sales 199 percent while adding 11 employees to the original three. Gavin Scott Salon recently doubled the size of its space with a plan to hire more employees.
Great Lakes Fasteners Inc.
Kevin R. Weidinger
Great Lakes Fasteners Inc. is a growing fastener distributor to Midwest manufacturers. The company experienced a 35 percent sales increase and 120 percent staff increase from 2006 to 2010. Sales rose notably in 2010 due to an aggressive acquisition strategy, as well as investment in sales people and marketing tools. GLF recently added maintenance and repair to its services.
Group Management Services
Mike Kahoe
Group Management Services, a professional employer organization, implemented an aggressive growth strategy to expand market penetration in an economic downturn. The company added a Columbus office in 2007 and a Cincinnati office in 2008. The company’s staff nearly doubled from 2006 to 2010, when sales grew by 26 percent. Employees are encouraged to increase sales through achievement awards and incentives.
Hattie Larlham
Dennis Allen
Hattie Larlham is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities through a commitment to comfort, joy and achievement. Founded in 1961, the Akron-based organization currently provides care to 1,500 children and adults with development disabilities. Over the past five years, it has significantly expanded its social enterprise programs throughout Northeast Ohio and added 19 employees to its operations.
HMT Dermatology Associates Inc.
Dr. Helen M. Torok
HMT Dermatology Associates Inc. has used service-related innovation, expansion and successful strategic planning to achieve growth since its move to a larger facility in Medina in 2003. The dermatology practice hired additional employees while offering a wider range of services ranging from anti-aging treatments to skin cancer surgery. Over a four-year period ending in 2010, company sales jumped 78 percent.
Infocision Management Corp.
Carl Albright
Infocision Management Corp. is a leading inbound and outbound call center provider and direct marketing partner. Despite legislation limiting telemarketing, Infocision has become the second largest privately owned teleservices company. By expanding its use of data analytics to provide clients with accurate and up-to-date information on customer and donors, the company has increased sales by $30 million from 2006 to 2010.
J. Rayl Transport
Jeremy Rayl
J. Rayl Transport has maintained and expanded its customer base by providing several logistics options for a number of commodities to clients, ensuring on-time and safe delivery. The full-service transportation company has expanded beyond its Akron headquarters with four addition terminals in Ohio, Virginia and Texas. Sales grew 180 percent from 2006 to 2010, with a 135 percent employee increase.
Jarrett Logistics Systems Inc.
W. Michael Jarrett
Jarrett Logistics Systems Inc. provides supply chain management services to a wide range of clients, including transportation management, freight bill payment, premium freight management, claims processing and custom reporting. The company has been on a continued growth path — increasing sales by nearly 50 percent over the past five years while bolstering its employee base by 52 percent over the same time period.
Keystone Business Solutions
Greg Cordray and Brian Fontanella
Keystone Business Solutions offers consulting services in technology infrastructure, financial services and marketing communications. The company has expanded its services at its clients’ requests, prompted by the close-knit relationships the company forms as well as its success at delivering meaningful solutions. Keystone increased company sales 102 percent, as well as its number of employees 167 percent, from 2006 to 2010.
Knox Marketing
Randy Godding
Know Marketing has developed a highly trained team of employees to provide business-savvy service and creative solutions to clients. The advertising agency has also focused on increasing its health care expertise, attracting more than 20 health care accounts across Ohio. The resulting growth, both in staff and technology, has prompted the company to expand twice, with sales increasing 57 percent from 2006 to 2010.
Laudan Properties LLC
Kevin R. Weidinger
Laudan Properties LLC, a residential property preservation and inspection organization, uses a network of 125 contractors spanning 14 states to offer a competitive range of services. It uses technology to link this diverse network and enable fast exchanges of data. The company has experienced 128 percent growth in sales from 2006 to 2010.
Liberty Bank N.A.
William A. Valerian
Liberty Bank N.A. provides local consumers and privately held businesses with innovative financing and cash management services. Despite competing with larger institutions, it has been able to increase revenue and reach out to contacts to expand its client base by establishing an experienced management team and attracting active investors. Sales increased 19 percent from 2006 to 2010, with 31 percent employee growth.
PackshipUSA
W. Michael Jarrett
PackshipUSA provides packaging and shipping services for large, high-value merchandise and logistics management for midmarket businesses. It has grown its revenue by more than 20 percent over the past five years and expanded its work force by nearly 20 percent, as well.
QualCare LLC dba Home Instead Senior Care
Therese M. Glorioso
Home Instead Senior Care, a provider of home care and elder care solutions, has combated staffing shortages common in the industry by expanding the pool of potential employees to include senior citizens, resulting in a 647 percent staff increase from 2006 to 2010. The maturity that these employees bring has bolstered the company, resulting in a 453 percent sales increase during that time.
Radcom Inc.
Robert Dianetti
Radcom Inc. develops custom learning solutions for companies, helping them to reach specific business goals. The company’s ability to listen to customers, identify their needs and deliver effective solutions has contributed to its growing client base. Radcom relocated to a larger office space complete with a large, on-site training room in 2008. From 2006 to 2010, company sales increased 74 percent.
SS&G
Mark Goldfarb and Robert Littman
SS&G, a regional accounting and business advisory firm, found success in an unstable economy by providing clients with the necessary guidance to continue the success of their businesses. These mutually beneficial partnerships resulted in a $15.7 million revenue increase for SS&G from 2006 to 2010, with a $5.2 million increase in that last year alone.
SS&G Healthcare Services LLC
Thomas Ferkovic
SS&G Healthcare Services LLC has helped local physicians and dentists manage the growth of their practices, expanding upon nontraditional practice management services. The success that the company has achieved reflects the success that it has helped the local health care industry to achieve. SS&G Healthcare Services’ sales increased 239 percent from 2006 to 2010, with a 227 percent increase in company staff.
S&V Industries Inc.
Senthil Kumar
S&V Industries Inc. is a marketing agent and logistics solution provider of raw materials for OEMs in the automotive, railroad, farm machinery and construction equipment industries. This revenue growth compounds the 73 percent employment growth the company experienced from 2006 to 2009.
Sequoia Financial Group
Thomas A. Haught
Sequoia Financial Group offers a range of financial planning and wealth management services, investing heavily in expanding its retirement plan business line. The company views this area as having potential for significant growth because of increased regulations, scrutiny and fiduciary responsibility placed on retirement plan advisers. The company increased sales between 2006 and 2010 by 46 percent.
Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp.
Rick Schultz and Rick Costello
Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp. has achieved significant growth in recent years. The company, which sells and repairs surgical equipment and instruments, has opened nine regional repair offices in seven states and grown its fleet of on-location repair vehicles from less than 10 to 25. Spectrum expanded its staff by 43 percent over a five-year period ending in 2010.
Trillium Creek Boutique LLC
Heather Funk
Trillium Creek Boutique LLC, offering high-quality skin-care products, introduced its own skin-care product line for every skin type in 2006, as well as a skin-typing system to complement the new line and aid in consumer education. This software system boosted consumer satisfaction and loyalty to the Trillium Creek brand of products, as well as contributing to a 26 percent sales increase through 2010.
WhiteSpace Creative
Keeven White
WhiteSpace Creative is an integrated marketing communications agency and project resource that helps business and organizations motivate others into action. The company is built to be flexible, catering to the unique needs of each client. WhiteSpace aims to continuously evolve its talents and capabilities to respond to these needs, with the company’s staff increasing 45 percent from 2006 to 2010.
