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Posted 06.01.2009

50 Colorado companies: Fueling the economic fire

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50 COLORADO COMPANIES TO WATCH

ADVANCED ASSEMBLY
www.aapcb.com
SNAPSHOT: Aurora-based Advanced Assembly specializes in quick-turn, surface mount technology assembly for design engineers who need low volume or prototype printed circuit board assembly. The proprietary assembly process machine-places parts in days rather than weeks.
LEADERSHIP: CEO Lawrence Davis founded the company in 2004.
WORK FORCE: The company had 40 full-time workers in 2008; projected to reach 60 in 2009.
MARKET NICHE: “Advanced Assembly is the only printed circuit board assembly company in the industry that provides services specifically for design engineers needing fast, low-volume or prototype PCB assembly. Until now, engineers had a difficult time finding a reliable partner willing to assemble their small quantities of circuit boards, forcing them to assemble boards themselves.”
SOLUTIONS: Advanced Assembly developed a proprietary technology to quickly assemble just a few boards at a time. Most projects are delivered within a week – more than 80 percent faster than the typical industry turn time of six to eight weeks.
GROWTH CURVE: In 2008, Advanced Assembly doubled its factory and office space, allowing it to add additional high-tech automation equipment and hire new staff. Revenues have grown 489 percent over the past three years, with projections to grow another 22 percent in 2009.

BEST SIGN SYSTEMS INC.
www.bestsigns.com
SNAPSHOT: The Montrose-based company, founded in 1924, is a wholesale manufacturer of interior architectural signage that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It serves primarily new school, hospital, hotel and public institutions for renovations and new construction.
WORK FORCE: President and owner Stephen Savoy leads a team of 59 full-time workers.
MARKET NICHE: “Our company is somewhat economy-proof as we support new construction of infrastructure like schools, hospitals and hotels. We are a national company and can endure regional downturns as we sell in all 50 states.”
GROWTH CURVE: “With our recent acquisitions we are newly branded and positioned to double our growth over the next five years to become a $10 million annual sales company.”
ON THE SAME PAGE: Best shares financial data with managers and employees as a means to have them take ownership in the company’s direction. It offers incentives that are directly tied to performance and profits.
TEAM TALK: Best offers full benefits including 401(k) plans, health, vision, disability and accident insurance. “We pay a competitive wage and are considered one of the best places to work within our community,” Savoy says. “I let my management team run my company, and that empowerment approach is applied throughout my company.”

BIG AGNES
www.bigagnes.com
SNAPSHOT: Big Agnes produces camping equipment. The Steamboat Springs company, founded in 2000, employs three full-time and 20 part-time workers.
DESIGN DRIVEN: “From the unique sleeping pad sleeve beneath each of our bags to leading lightweight tents to air chamber sleeping pads with synthetic insulation, we continually push the design envelope to create the best products possible for outdoor users.”
UPWARD SLOPE: “Our growth has outpaced that of our industry and competitors, and while we’re driven by sales and growth, Big Agnes strives to lead in all categories of business including environmentally conscious products, industry leadership, employee benefits programs and community support.”
GOING GREEN: The company uses 100 percent wind-generated power in its offices and warehouse. President Bill Gamber has lived off the grid using solar power for more than 15 years and recently installed a wind power system. The company encourages bicycle and car pool commuting and offers paid time off after target commuting days are met.
RECYCLING AND PROFIT: The company is expanding its use of recycled materials to help divert landfill waste. For example, all 2009 tent models feature DAC aluminum poles featuring an environmentally friendly anodizing process.

BLUE SUN ENERGY
www.gobluesun.com
SNAPSHOT: Blue Sun Energy, which does business as Blue Sun Biodiesel, markets alternative fuels such as its central brand, Fusion B20. CEO Jeff Probst leads the Golden-based company, which was founded in 2001.
SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT: In 2006, Blue Sun’s efforts were validated by a landmark study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that showed Fusion fuel reduced hydrocarbons by 29 percent, carbon monoxide by 24 percent, particulate matter by 18 percent and nitrogen oxides by 4 percent over conventional diesel fuel.
MARKET FOR ALTERNATIVES: Changes in federal energy regulations should fuel Blue Sun’s growth in the coming years: “Blue Sun Energy holds an enviable position. In a market that competes with a dominant substitute, petroleum diesel, which enjoys powerful political lobbies, deep pockets and the ability to move markets among record profits, Blue Sun knows it’s going to win.”
WALKING THE GREEN: Blue Sun has demonstrated that a green business can succeed, says the company, whose office is based in a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum building. “By remaining a growing company while keeping sustainability as a core value, we have shown other area companies that principles do not need to have an unacceptable cost.”

BOA TECHNOLOGY INC.
www.boatechnology.com
SNAPSHOT: Boa Technology designed the Boa Lacing System, which aims to optimize footwear performance, achieve a more “dialed in” fit, and, ultimately, to make shoelaces obsolete. The system appears on footwear designed for snowboarding, skiing, hiking, running, golfing, cycling, snowmobiling, hunting, and many other activities. The company even makes a specialized shoe for horses.
WORK FORCE: The Denver-based company, led by CEO Gary Hammerslag, was founded in 1999. It employs 31 people and is projected to reach 42 in 2009.
UNLACING HISTORY: “Our award-winning, patented footwear closure system presents a true alternative to a closure system that has existed in some form for thousands of years — shoelaces. As a result, it has been vital for our company to foster an environment that encourages the free flow of creative ideas and exudes the vision with which the company was founded.”
TOUR DE MARKETING: Elite athletes promote Boa’s product without any formal sponsorship agreements. They include X-Games medalists, Tour de France winners and a PGA champion. “At this year’s Tour de France, nearly 40 riders will wear our lacing system.”

BRAXTON TECHNOLOGIES LLC
www.braxtontech.com
SNAPSHOT: The Colorado Springs aerospace and defense company provides command and control systems to government and commercial customers. Braxton products currently control global positioning system launches for satellites and control research and development weapon systems.
WORK FORCE: The company, founded in 1994, employs 58 full-time workers and one part-time worker and expects to add 42 workers in 2009. President Kevin W. O’Neil relocated the company’s headquarters to Colorado Springs and is also spearheading the drive to create an aerospace research and development center there.
OUTLOOK IN SPACE: Braxton’s private investment group ownership provides access to additional capital to expand growth and accelerate acquisitions. Its Colorado-based parent corporation, the O’Neil Group, which acquired Braxton in 2008, owns many other local companies.
INDUSTRY NICHE: Braxton specializes in custom “commercial off the shelf” products, which enhances traditional software development.
COURTING CUSTOMERS: “In today’s tough economic times, Braxton’s product line and methods bring exceptionally high value to those who have seen their budgets shrinking and their critical missions growing.”

CATALYST REPOSITORY SYSTEMS INC.
www.catalystsecure.com
SNAPSHOT: The Denver-based company bills itself as “Google for lawyers” in litigation, helping them to manage documents during legal electronic discovery.
COURTING TECHNOLOGY: The company was founded in 2000 by long-time trial lawyer John Tredennick, who in the mid-’90s realized that lawyers would increasingly need new methods to manage discovery and to work together on complex cases.
CREATING THE SYSTEM: The team began building extranets in 1998. Soon law firms around the country were calling the company.
INDUSTRY NICHE: Catalyst has stood out from competitors because its roots were in technology rather than photocopying. “Over the years, we pioneered the first grid-based systems for speed and scalability and then foreign language capabilities that now support terabytes of data for tech-savvy clients like Apple, Intel, Microsoft and Qualcomm.”
GOOGLE-STYLE GROWTH: “Despite no advertising or even a sales force for the first five years (and an economic collapse around 9/11), the company turned profitable and grew rapidly over the years (1,900 percent the first three and 170 percent in the last two).”
WORK FORCE: The company employed 85 full-time and 10 part-time workers in 2008 and expects to add the equivalent of 16 full-time workers in 2009.

COCONA TECHNOLOGY INC.
www.coconafabrics.com
SNAPSHOT: Cocona Technology Inc. invents and markets natural technologies that are used in and on fabrics for the apparel and home furnishings markets. The Boulder-based company, led by president Brad Poorman, was founded in 2002 and employs 22 full-time and two part-time workers.
FABRIC OF SUCCESS: Cocona invents and markets natural technologies that have been adopted by more than 65 brands in North America and Europe. In late 2005, Cocona fabrics were launched using natural technology derived from recycled coconut shells. In late 2008, it introduced Cocona Minerale fabrics, which use volcanic minerals. Both technologies create fast-drying fabrics that protect against ultraviolet rays and manage odors.
BRAND CONSCIOUS: “The Cocona business model is an entrepreneurial version of the Gore-Tex model that focuses on both trade and consumer constituencies.” Cocona fabrics are used by Colorado companies like Pearl Izumi, GoLite, Tehama, Sierra Designs and SkirtSports.
SOMETIMES YOU FEEL LIKE A NUT: “Because coconuts seem to have such a consistent positive connotation, we made the coconut the hero of our print ads visually and with some subtle humor. This consumer campaign has been effective in supporting our brand partners to both retailers and end-users.”

COLORADO MILLS
www.comills.com
SNAPSHOT: Colorado Mills is an all-natural oilseed processing plant that has kosher and organic certifications. The Lamar-based company processes sunflowers from which the oil is sold primarily into the snack food market. The sunflower meal is used in its feedmill to produce feeds for livestock.
MARKET NICHE: A “natural press” oilseed processor, Colorado Mills competes against the larger solvent extraction processors (such as ADM and Cargill). “In 2002 the sunflower industry introduced mid and high oleic sunflower oils that were much healthier for consumers than traditional vegetable oils. These oils were 0 trans fat and were capable of higher cooking temperatures leading to less absorption and longer cooking life.”
WORK FORCE: CEO Rick Robbins leads a staff of 20 full-time and three part-time workers. The company, which operates a zero-waste plant, was founded in 1999.
COLORADO ADVANTAGE: “Our competitive advantage comes from our location in Southeast Colorado close to sunflower production, reducing farmer-producer shipping costs, as well as having rail service to ship processed product out and specialty organic oilseed in. Our location also serves us well to supply local cow-calf producers with high-quality feed products produced from the sunflower meal.”