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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center
Saginaw Future Inc.
Duperon Corporation – Company to Watch
Saginaw
County’s Duperon Corporation was named one of Michigan’s “50 Companies to
Watch” at a recent Michigan Celebrates Small Business event in Lansing. The
event is the state’s premier awards ceremony for entrepreneurs and
supporters of small business.
The
Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center and Saginaw Future
Inc. congratulate Duperon Corporation and look forward to working with the
company in the future.
According
to the Edward Lowe Foundation, the 50 Companies to Watch awards is a unique
program designed to spotlight Michigan’s second-stage companies that
generate the bulk of new, sustainable jobs and are a powerful economic force
underpinning the high quality of life most Americans enjoy. To be
considered a second-stage company, an enterprise must be privately held; be
past the start-up stage; be facing issues of growth, not survival; employ
six to 99 full-time equivalent employees, including the owner; and have
between $750,000 and $50 million in annual revenue or working capital in
place from investors or grants.
In
addition, they must be headquartered in Michigan and demonstrate the intent
and capacity to grow based on employee or sales growth, exceptional
entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage, or other
notable factors that showcase the company’s success.
Duperon
makes mechanically cleaned bar screens for use in managing wastewater, storm
water, raw-water intakes, beautification and barriers for fish, manatees and
other aquatic life. Profitable since its first year, 1985, the company was
originally funded with sweat equity. Duperon’s global operations include a
large market share of Michigan’s wastewater-treatment plants.
Duperon
helped optimize stormwater pump stations in Louisiana and Florida during
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Alpha. The debris clearing enabled pumps in
areas near Duperon sites to continue running, keeping several communities
above water. As a result, Duperon will receive a contract for the St.
Charles Parish area to prepare several sites for future hurricanes.
In the
past four years, the company has experienced a 25-percent sales increase,
and between 2004 and 2005, it grew to 24 full-time employees from 14. In
2006, the company has its first export opportunity in New Zealand. This
should provide an entry into New Zealand’s industrial and municipal
markets. Three new complementary product lines are also in development and
slated for 2006 release. Duperon is developing a permanent facility that
will allow for long-term growth at a minimum goal of 25-percent a year.
Saginaw Future Inc. is assisting the company with an investment incentive
and financing from the Saginaw County Revolving Loan Fund.
The
Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center has also partnered
with Duperon Education on an entrepreneurial training program to stimulate
creativity and new business development.
For more
information, please contact Greg LaMarr
at 989-757-2104 or e-mail
glamarr@saginawfuture.com
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