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Posted 06.01.2009

50 Colorado companies: Fueling the economic fire

Page 5

NEWSGATOR TECHNOLOGIES
www.NewsGator.com
SNAPSHOT: Founded in Denver in 2004, NewsGator Technologies helps enterprises and media companies deliver real business value through social computing. A host of industry leaders adopted NewsGator’s enterprise social computing offerings in late 2008, including two of the world’s top three banks, two of the top three U.S. manufacturers of network and communications equipment, four of the top 15 U.S. pharmaceutical companies, and two of the top seven U.S. aerospace and defense companies.
LEADERSHIP: NewsGator’s CEO is J.B. Holston, who throughout his career has found himself at the intersection of people, technology and media, whether harnessing RSS or introducing NBC to the possibilities of profiting in cable television.
MARKET: NewsGator believes all computing is becoming social. With the proliferation of content across the Web – via social networks, blogs and news sites, online video and photo communities – and behind the firewall, it’s critical to connect the right content and contacts with the right people at just the right instant. That’s NewsGator’s niche.
GROWTH: The company believes it is on track for continued growth as enterprise spending on Web 2.0 technologies is predicted to surge over the next five years, growing 43 percent each year to reach $4.6 billion globally by 2013, according to Forrester Research (April 21, 2008).

NOVUS BIOLOGICALS LLC
novusbio.com
SNAPSHOT: Littleton-based Novus Biologicals develops, licenses and markets research materials to scientists in academic, corporate and government laboratories. Since 1996 the company has partnered with leading scientific researchers and third-party providers to develop a portfolio of more than 70,000 products.
LEADERSHIP: Karen Padgett is Novus Biologicals’ president and CEO.
WORK FORCE: Novus Biologicals had 23 employees in 2007 and projected a work force of 27 employees in 2009.
PIVOTAL MOMENT: In 2006, Novus Biologicals was notified by its largest supplier that Novus would no longer be able to carry their products for sale in the United States, as the supplier was opening a U.S. office. At the time, this supplier’s products made up 40 percent of Novus’ revenues. Novus discovered that the supplier was not the original equipment manufacturer for these products. Novus quickly adjusted its business model to directly OEM these products from 80 different manufacturers. Novus not only kept its existing customers in place, but improved its margins and increased sales.
CURRENT CONDITIONS: In 2008, Novus Biologicals’ growth continued despite difficult economic events. To combat stagnation, Novus broadened its product line to include supporting products, which now make up 15 percent of revenues.

NUMERICA CORP
www.numerica.us
SNAPSHOT: Based in Loveland, Numerica integrates information across sensor networks for defense, GIS and chemical-detection solutions. The company was founded in 1996.
LEADERSHIP: Aubrey P. Poore is the company’s CEO and chief scientist. Jeff Poore is vice president and CEO.
WORK FORCE: Numerica Corp. had 37 employees in 2008 and is projected to employ 51 in 2009.
NICHE: Numerica’s business focus is on advanced mathematical algorithms and scientific software for Department of Defense and security surveillance applications. Its proprietary algorithms and software solve information-science problems that few others in the world can address. These innovations have ramifications for national defense programs such as ballistic missile defense, intelligence and surveillance, chemical and biological detection, geographic information systems and other arenas.
GROWTH: Numerica has increased year-over-year revenues at least 24 percent every year since 2006 and projects revenue growth of 84 percent for 2009.
MARKETING STRATEGY: Numerica does not have a sales or marketing department. It focuses on hiring exceptional people to create high-performance teams that deliver gold-standard solutions to some of the nation’s most challenging information science problems. This creates extremely loyal customers who see Numerica as the go-to resource for solutions, fostering repeat business and word-of-mouth third-party promotion.

OPEN SKY WILDERNESS
www.openskywilderness.com
SNAPSHOT: Based in Durango, Open Sky is a holistic wilderness treatment program for adolescents and young adults. Students engage with nature, consume organic whole foods and explore daily meditation and yoga to strengthen relationships, foster growth and develop overall health and wellness. Open Sky broke even within the first seven months of operation and paid out profit shares within the first full calendar year.
LEADERSHIP: CEO Aaron Fernandes founded Open Sky Wilderness in 2006.
GROWTH: Open Sky had 58 full-time employees in 2008 and projected an increase to 63 in 2009. The company increased revenues 32 percent in 2008 and projected a 21 percent increase in 2009.
PIVOTAL POINT IN HISTORY: Founder Aaron Fernandes was approached by an angel investor with the offer of a $1 million investment to start a wilderness therapy program. Eight months into the partnership, Fernandes’ vision came into conflict with the investor’s financial goals, leaving Fernandez with two choices: Find common ground, or decline the money and find another way. In the end, Fernandes was not willing to compromise essential components of his philosophy: green business practices, shared ownership, holistic treatment and extensive family services. Open Sky continues to embrace those values today.

OSKAR BLUES BREWERY
www.oskarblues.com
SNAPSHOT: Oskar Blues Brewery, based in Lyons, became the country’s first microcanning craft brewer in 2002 when it began hand-canning Dale’s Pale Ale on a tabletop machine that sealed one aluminum can at a time. The brewery’s innovative and acclaimed craft beers have made it the fastest-growing brewery in Colorado.
LEADERSHIP: President Dale Katechis founded Oskar Blues Brewery in 1997.
GROWTH: In 2008, Oksar Blues produced more than 20,000 barrels of beer at the company’s new Longmont facility. The product line has increased from one to four microcanned beers, and distribution has expanded from Boulder County to 25 states. Revenues increased 40 percent in 2008 and are projected to grow 43 percent in 2009.
INNOVATION: The move to aluminum cans has been crucial to Oskar Blues’ success: It gave the brewery a unique angle for publicity, and cans are welcome where bottles often are not: the beach, pool, boat, golf course, backcountry. More importantly, cans keep beer especially fresh by fully protecting it from light and oxygen, beer’s two biggest enemies. About 30 craft breweries — many with Oskar Blues’ help — have entered the niche that Oskar Blues created.

OSPREY PACKS INC.
www.ospreypacks.com
SNAPSHOT: Founded in 1974, Cortez-based Osprey Packs designs, manufactures and markets technical backpacks and travel gear. It has been named one of REI’s top 12 suppliers (out of 2,400) for the past three years and last year was REI’s Vendor Partner of the Year.
LEADERSHIP: Tom Barney has been Osprey’s CEO since 2001.
PIVOTAL MOMENT IN HISTORY: As a manufacturer, Osprey faced the challenge of rising labor and insurance costs, a declining sewing labor pool in Southwest Colorado and a limited domestic supply chain of technical fabrics and pack materials. So in 2001 and 2002, production of Osprey Packs moved to Vietnam, while efforts at home were focused on perfecting design and testing processes, and strengthening sales and marketing. This tough decision has resulted in wins across the board for Osprey and its partners. Sales increased 14-fold, and Osprey was able to remain an independent company and significant employer in Southwest Colorado rather than a division of a larger outdoor firm.
GROWTH: While Osprey expects this year to be a challenging one for outdoor specialty retailers, the company managed to increase sales 15 percent in 2008. Osprey has enjoyed significant sales growth during the past five years, including revenue increases of 58 percent in 2006 and 44 percent in 2007.

OTTERBOX
www.otterbox.com
SNAPSHOT: Based in Fort Collins, Otterbox designs and manufactures protective cases for handheld devices. Otterbox’s three series of cases protect electronics in any environment, from the waterproof Armor Series, the drop-and-scratchproof Defender Series and the recently launched skin-like Impact Series.
LEADERSHIP: Otterbox CEO Curt Richardson founded the company in 1996. He started out making waterproof and crushproof boxes for outdoor enthusiasts but soon narrowed his focus to the handheld-device market.
GROWTH: Otterbox grew from 31 employees to 62 during 2008 and expects to employ 78 full-timers in 2009. Revenues soared 74 percent last year and are projected to jump another 87 percent in 2009.
PIVOTAL POINT IN HISTORY: In 2007, OtterBox introduced the Defender Series case line, a slimmer design than the company’s original fully waterproof Armor Series. While the bulkier Armor Series offered unmatched protection against the elements, they were serving only a small niche market. The Defender Series appeals to a larger market but still offers trusted OtterBox protection against drops, dirt and scratches without alienating the company’s loyal core customer. This new, broadened market gave OtterBox leverage to formulate strategic relationships with several original equipment manufacturers and wireless carriers including RIM, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile.

PANGEA ORGANICS
www.pangeaorganics.com
SNAPSHOT: Boulder-based Pangea Organics is the largest cold-processed, organic bar-soap manufacturer in the United States. The company also produces a full line of organic body and skin care: facial cleanser, facial scrub, facial mask, facial toners, facial creams, massage and body oils, shower gels, liquid hand soaps and lip balms.
LEADERSHIP: CEO Joshua Onysko founded the company in 2000.
COMPANY STRENGTHS: Pangea has never strayed from its vision to create what the company calls Ecocentric Bodycare. Founder Joshua Onysko saw the selling of the highest quality organic, personal care products as a means to a greater end – that end being social sustainability. A generous portion of Pangea’s profits fund The Pangea Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to researching and teaching all aspects of sustainable living and business practices. Pangea products are never made using petrochemicals, parabens, genetically modified organisms or other synthetic or harmful ingredients. All Pangea products begin to break down within 48 hours of use.
GROWTH: Pangea’s sales have skyrocketed since 2006 when revenues increased a whopping 841 percent for that year. Sales increased more than 100 percent in each of the next two years and are projected to climb another 22 percent in 2009.

PRECISION PHOTONICS CORP.
www.precisionphotonics.com
SNAPSHOT: Boulder-based Precision Photonics was founded by scientists-turned-engineers who develop, manufacture and sell precision optical components, coatings and assemblies. The company provides high-performance laser optics and coatings to the telecommunications, defense, aerospace, biomedical and semiconductor industries.
LEADERSHIP: Christopher J. Myatt is CEO of Precision Photonics, founded in 2000.
COMPANY CALLING CARD: Precision Photonics’ strength is technical execution. The company’s products range from mirrors that can reflect ultra-intense lasers without burning up, to ultra-precise controls for telecommunications lasers, to ultra-sensitive detectors of single molecules for medical diagnostics.
PIVOTAL POINT: The tech downturn from 2001-2004 prompted Precision Photonics to search for other applications of its technology. A meeting with the head of infectious diseases at the University of Colorado Medical School revealed a key application: low-cost, ultra-sensitive detection for HIV in low-resource settings. Since then, Precision Photonics has won more than $5 million in funding from the National Institutes of Heath and the U.S. government, built a prototype system, and begun clinical testing of the technology. The company will soon send a delegation to South Africa and Mozambique to establish clinical HIV testing sites.
GROWTH: Revenues have increased by double digits every year since 2005 and are projected to increase 17 percent in 2009.

PRIMUS METALS INC.
www.primusmetals.com
SNAPSHOT: Lakewood-based Primus Metals manufactures precision components for the aerospace, medical and energy industries.
LEADERSHIP: Randall Brodsky is president, and Ira Lehrman is chief operating officer
WORK FORCE: The company had 45 employees in 2007 and expects to have 65 in 2009.
STRENGTH: Primus’ growth has been “fueled by providing exceptional customer service along with exceptional product quality. We have reinvested our profits into further developing our customer service and manufacturing capabilities. Primus has become a top-tier manufacturer for medium and large production runs of highly complex components. By constantly developing more technical experience and tools every year, Primus has been able to focus, build and maintain relationships with customers in specific industries.”
TECHNOLOGY: Primus implemented Enterprise Resource Planning software and underwent certification for AS9100, a highly coveted quality control aerospace certification.
GROWTH CURVE: The sale of Primus in late 1998 led to it growing into a company that partners with long-term, multi-year and highly complex customers in the aerospace, medical device and energy production industries. Chief Operations Officer Ira Lehrman joined the company in 2007 and has implemented sophisticated business controls to increase efficiency, quality levels and effectiveness. In 2009, the company expects to grow its revenues by 22 percent.