"The entrepreneurial spirit soars in this year's class of 'Companies to Watch,'" said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. "With the spark of a great idea, the ingenuity to develop solutions and the determination to achieve greatness, these companies demonstrate what it takes to stand out in the marketplace. Because we offer a low-tax climate with a skilled workforce, companies of all sizes know that they can exercise a competitive advantage in Indiana, a state that works for business."
Also known as the Francesville Drain Tile Company, or simply the Francesville Tile Company, FRATCO was founded 90 years ago when it began making clay tile to drain farm fields. The company is headquartered in Francesville, with plants in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and St. Anne, Ill.
The accolade, presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the Indiana Small Business Development Center network and the Edward Lowe Foundation, recognizes the state's privately held businesses that employ six to 150 full-time employees and have between $750,000 to $100 million in annual revenue or capital.
The 33 'Companies to Watch' from 14 Indiana counties were named after evaluating 300 nominations for the awards and represent industries ranging from biotech research and robotic part design to gourmet flavor manufacturing and automotive safety.
The chosen companies project to have combined revenues in excess of $422 million and create more than 345 new jobs this year. The revenue projections represent an increase of more than $218 million or 36 percent from 2012.
With major sponsorship from Barnes and Thornburg, LLP, the 'Companies to Watch' awards program is an initiative developed by the Cassopolis, Mich.-based Edward Lowe Foundation. The foundation licenses similar programs in other states. The program is also sponsored in part by Katz Sapper & Miller, KeyBank, Purdue University and Ivy Tech Community College.
The 33 'Companies to Watch' will be honored at an Aug. 22 ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. Tickets for the ceremony and dinner are still available and may be purchased online at www.inctw.org or by calling 888.472.3244.
Complete List of Companies to Watch Honorees:
- AIT Bioscience, Indianapolis, Scientific Research and Development
- American Ultraviolet, Lebanon, Manufacturing
- AndyMark, Inc., Kokomo, Manufacturing
- ATC Trailers, Nappanee, Manufacturing
- Bastian Automation Engineering, Greenfield, Manufacturing
- Clinical Architecture, Carmel, Information Technology
- Complexus Medical, Mishawaka, Manufacturing
- Construct Solutions, Inc., Indianapolis, Construction
- DECA Financial Services, Fishers, Other Services
- Diverse Staffing, Inc., Indianapolis, Administrative and Support Services
- Emerging Threats, Lafayette, Information Technology
- EmNet, LLC, South Bend, Information Technology
- Envisage Technologies, Bloomington, Information Technology
- Fanimation, Inc., Zionsville, Manufacturing
- FRATCO, Inc., Francesville, Manufacturing
- IBC Coatings Technologies, Inc., Lebanon, Manufacturing
- Integrative Flavors, Michigan City, Manufacturing
- Kessler Crane, Inc., Plymouth, Manufacturing
- Kinetech, Indianapolis, Manufacturing
- Milestone Advisors, Indianapolis, Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping and Payroll Services
- Net Irrigate, Bloomington, Manufacturing
- netlogx, LLC, Indianapolis, Information Technology
- Nexxt Spine, LLC, Noblesville, Health Care and Social Assistance
- Novia CareClinics, Indianapolis, Health Care and Social Assistance
- Phoenix Data Corporation, Indianapolis, Information Technology
- Protective Coatings, Inc., Fort Wayne, Manufacturing
- Royal Excursion, Mishawaka, Transportation and Warehousing
- Sportula Products, Warsaw, Retail Trade
- StrataShops, Elkhart, Retail Trade
- Summers Plumbing Heating & Coating, Noblesville, Retail Trade
- TinderBox, Indianapolis, Information Technology
- Tyson Onsite, Indianapolis, Construction
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Union Station Technology Center, South Bend, Information Technology
The Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) creates a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of Indiana's small businesses by providing entrepreneurs expert guidance and a comprehensive network of resources. Funding comes from government, organizations, and businesses, committed to growing Indiana and local economies. Statewide funders include The Small Business Administration and The State of Indiana. To learn more about the ISBDC and to become a client visit: www.isbdc.org.
About IEDC
Created in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Mike Pence. Victor Smith serves as the Indiana Secretary of Commerce and Eric Doden is the president of the IEDC.
The IEDC oversees programs enacted by the General Assembly including tax credits, workforce training grants and public infrastructure assistance. All tax credits are performance-based. Therefore, companies must first invest in Indiana through job creation or capital investment before incentives are paid. A company who does not meet its full projections only receives a percentage of the incentives proportional to its actual investment. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov.
State Rep. Gutwein issues statement on FRATCO recognition
STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Douglas Gutwein (R-Francesville) is pleased to announce that FRATCO, Inc. was recognized as one of Indiana’s 2013 ‘Companies to Watch.’ Located in Francesville, the company joined 32 other Hoosier businesses that distinguished themselves as outstanding job-creators and competitors in Indiana’s marketplace.
“I’m pleased that FRATCO manufacturing was recognized as a ‘Company to Watch’ as they continue to employ more Hoosiers in our community and lead by example in our competitive job-market,” said Rep. Gutwein. “It takes a combination of many things to bring the unemployment rate down; a tax climate favorable to job creation, a skilled workforce to fill available positions and companies like FRATCO, willing to expand and grow, are essential to that process.”
To receive the ‘Companies to Watch’ award, Hoosier businesses must employ at least six to 150 full-time workers and generate between $750,000 and $100 million in annual revenue. Presented by the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Indiana Economic Development Corporation and the Edward Lowe Foundation, 33 Hoosier businesses received the award and together were projected to create 345 new jobs this year and generate $422 million in revenue.
Family-owned since 1923, FRATCO, Inc. manufactures plastic pipes used for field or storm-water drainage systems. The company aims to maximize profit potential for local businesses by focusing on superior product quality to increase lifetime value and pipe instillation efficiency.
“Companies like FRATCO are the reason the manufacturing industry employs roughly 16 percent of the Hoosier workforce, which is the highest percentage in the nation,” said Rep. Gutwein. “This legislative session, we worked to strengthen Indiana’s pro-jobs environment so that businesses could thrive and grow, working to lower the unemployment rate to benefit Hoosier families.”
On Aug. 22, an awards ceremony will be held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis honoring the 33 Hoosier businesses.
Visit www.fratco.com for more information on FRATCO, Inc. or www.companiestowatch.org for more information on the ‘Companies to Watch’ award.
