The Super 60
Depth and Diversity of the 2009 Winners Offer Some Things to Celebrate
The Affiliated Chambers Super 60 lists have consistently reflected the strength and diversity of the regions economy, and the Class of 2009 is no exception. The Total Revenue and Revenue Growth compilations both display well-performing companies in sectors ranging from health care to manufacturing; service to education; retail to technology.
Russ Denver says the Super 60 recognition program has never been about five dozen companies celebrating their individual success in a given year.
OK, its not just about that, said Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield, which oversees the program. He noted that some firms or the accounting firms that nominate them want to tout their accomplishments and solid growth rates. From a big-picture perspective, the program, now 20 years old and expanded from what used to be called the Fabulous 50, is a celebration of what the 60 firms collectively represent.
Specifically, they connote strength and diversity, said Denver, and plenty of that will be on display at the annual Super 60 luncheon and Recognition Program on Oct. 23 at Chez Josef in Agawam.
Virtually every sector of the economy is represented on this years list, from manufacturing to service; financial services to health care; technology to education. A quick look at the list shows companies and institutions ranging from Springfield College to the Rockys Hardware Chain; from McGill Hose & Coupling Co. to the YWCA of Western Massachusetts.
Theres an old saying about there being strength in numbers, said Denver. Theres certainly strength in these numbers from the list of business sectors represented to the totals for revenue to the average growth rates for the winners in that category.
That revenue figure exceeds $1 billion again this year, said Teddy Woeppel, communications director for the AGGCS, noting that average revenues for all applicants was $19 million, while for the top 30, they exceeded $32 million. As for growth, the numbers were again solid, especially given the economic conditions, she said, adding that the average for all participants was 25%, while for the winners, it was more than 40%.
Breaking down the lists further, Woeppel said two companies, Whalley Computer Associates Inc. in Southwick and Savage Sports Corp. in Westfield, qualified in both categories. Meanwhile, 65% of the winners were ACCGS members, with 22 belonging to the Springfield Chamber, nine to the West of the River Chamber, and eight to the East of the River 5 Town Chamber.
The top three finishers in the Total Revenue category were Whalley Computer Associates, Savage Sports, and Springfield College. On the Growth side of the ledger, the top three finishers were R & R Industries, Western New England College, and Spectrum Analytical. Beginning on page 16, BusinessWest offers brief snapshots of each of the 60 companies on this years lists.
The Oct. 23 luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. It is being sponsored by Health New England, Hampden Bank, Sullivan Hayes & Quinn, Nuvo Bank & Trust Company, and Zasco Productions. The keynote speaker will be author and customer-service expert Dennis Snow, who spent more than 20 years working for the Walt Disney Company in customer service and is now a full-time motivational speaker, trainer, and consultant.
