Star Power
The 2007 Super 60 Roster Conveys Strength and Diversity
Star Power
A quick glance at this year’s Super 60 list reveals the diversity that defines the Western Mass. economy. There are manufacturers, technology companies, retailers, health care providers, and accounting firms. There’s also a
restaurant, a dictionary publisher, a pharmaceuticals maker, and even a private college. Together, these companies paint an encouraging picture of the local business community and its prospects for the future.
If there is one constant when it comes to the Super 60 — the annual roster of top-performing companies as compiled by the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield — it is change.
Each year since 1990, when the unique business-recognition program was launched, there have been new companies in both the ‘Revenue’ and ‘Revenue Growth’ categories. That change is refreshing, and it conveys both movement and diversity in the local economy, said Russell Denver, president of the ACCGS, who told BusinessWest that he enjoys seeing different business owners come to the podium at the annual Super 60 luncheon to accept their awards.
So he should really be looking forward to this year’s event, set for Oct. 26 at Chez Josef in Agawam. That’s because the field for 2007 is dominated by newcomers; 18 of the ‘Growth’ companies are new to that list, and 11 of the businesses on the ‘Revenue’ side are newcomers, said Teddy Woeppel, communications director for the ACCGS.
There are some other numbers of note when it comes to the Class of 2007, said Woeppel, noting that, combined, the 30 ‘Revenue’ companies earned $708 million in 2006, and average revenue for those businesses was $24 million. On the ‘Growth’ side of the ledger, the 30 companies posted average growth of 71% over the past three years, while more than half (57%) posted growth in excess of 50%.
Denver said both lists provide evidence of the strong diversity that is considered one of the strengths of the local economy. The ‘Growth’ list, for example, includes two banquet facilities under the corporate name Delaney Restaurant Inc., two accounting firms, several insurance agencies, a carpet and tile outlet, a law firm, a construction company, a pharmaceuticals maker, and and a medical device manufacturer, among others.
Meanwhile, on the ‘Revenue’ side, the list features a software maker, a private college, a maker of plastic containers, an architectural firm, a recreational boat dealer, a hardware chain, a drug store chain, and a dictionary publisher (Merriam Webster Inc.), among others.
While there were several newcomers in the top 10 for the ‘Revenue’ category, the top three finishers are familiar names when it comes to the Super 60. Springfield College topped the list, while Southwick-based Whalley Computer Associates, a technology-solutions provider, was the runner-up, and Springfield-based Rocky’s Hardware Inc., a chain now boasting 25 locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, finished third.
On the ‘Growth’ side, there were six newcomers in the top 10, and two in the top three. Leading the class is Kleer Lumber Inc., a Westfield-based producer of PVC trimboard, while Complete Payroll Solutions, a Springfield-based company that provides payroll, tax, benefits, and human resources services was runner-up. Kittridge Equipment Co., a commercial food service equipment dealer that has made several appearances on both Super 60 categories, finished third.
Other newcomers to the ‘Growth’ list, said Woeppel, are: Ace Metal Fabricators Inc., Allen & Burke Construction, Custom Carbide Corp., Delaney Restaurant Inc., Dimauro Carpet & Tile Inc., Egan, Flanagan and Cohen, P.C., Haluch Water Contracting, Innovative Physicians Services, LLC, Insurance Center of New England, M.J. Moran Inc., Moriarty & Primack, P.C., PC Enterprises Inc., R&R Industries Inc., Terrien Transportation Inc., Texcell Inc., and Tunstall Associates Inc.
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Fast Facts: What:The Annual Super 60 Luncheon |
On the ‘Revenue’ side, the newcomers are: Atlantic Fasteners Inc., Biolitec, Chandler Architectural Products Inc., Governor America Corp., Kleer Lumber, Plastic Packaging Corp., Quabbin Wire & Cable Co. Inc., Specialty Bolt & Screw Inc., Springfield Spring Corp., and Suddekor, LLC.
Four companies — Kleer Lumber, Specialty Bolt & Screw, Kittredge Equipment Company, and Suddekor — qualified for both lists.
In the pages that follow, BusinessWest provides snapshots of all 60 companies that comprise the Class of ’07.
