Two Hudson firms among EDC top business winners

Talk about it

Two Hudson companies were among those receiving St. Croix Economic Development Corporation 2010 business of the year awards in St. Croix County. The Hudson firms are GaMra Composites, Inc. as 2010 Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees); and Valley Cartage as 2010 Business of the Year (30 or more employees).

Also selected was Engineered Propulsion Systems of New Richmond as the 2010 Emerging Business of the Year (based in St. Croix County and in business for five or fewer years).

Tom Schumacher, president of St. Croix EDC, announced the selections. The winners will be honored at an awards banquet Thursday, Feb. 17, at the R&D Banquet Hall in New Richmond.

In addition, John D. Soderberg, a long-time community banker and civic leader from New Richmond is the 2010 recipient of the Director’s Award. This is an occasional award established by the EDC board of directors to honor an individual or organization that has championed economic development, making St. Croix County a better place to live, work, learn, play, and grow. Last year’s winner was Hudsonite Ken Heiser.

“This year’s award winners reflect the business factors that will impact the economic recovery in St. Croix County and the economy as a whole,” said Schumacher. “Economic recovery will require a combination of small innovative businesses and established businesses that are able to modify their business model to adapt to changes in their industry and economic conditions locally, nationally and worldwide.

“Engineered Propulsion Systems is moving forward based on sophisticated engineering experience of its owners and employees gained while working as consultants for major auto companies and the Department of Defense. GaMra reflects the importance of supporting existing businesses as they grow and expand. Valley Cartage, celebrating its 75 anniversary, is an example of longevity and transitioning of a closely held family business from one generation to the next.”

GaMra Composites, Inc.

GaMra Composites, Inc. is an extrusion business that was formed in 1999. The company’s first production facility was located in Baldwin and now it is in Hudson. Greg Mitsch serves as president of GaMra. Sales and employment have grown rapidly since inception.

About 15 associates are employed at GaMra, which occupies 40,000 square feet of space in Hudson’s St. Croix Business Park. GaMra has developed a process to produce precision solid rods, with tolerances as low as +/-0.001 inch standard deviation. With structural thermoplastics, GaMra offers combinations of lightweight, noncorrosive, and nonconductive products. In recent years, the company invested over $500,000 for capital improvements, including three new extrusion lines, two profile laser measurement systems and two optical measurement systems.

Valley Cartage

Valley Cartage celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2010. It is a third generation, family-owned business based in Hudson. Jerry Gilbert and son Todd provide leadership at Valley Cartage. The company has over 200 employees that serve the regional market of Wisconsin, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

The company was started in 1935 by Norman Gilbert. In 1975, five years after joining the company, Jerry Gilbert acquired the business from his father and his business partner. Son Todd came on as an employee in 1993, and today is the company president. Since the mid-1990s, numerous strategic acquisitions and expansions were made. In 2007 Valley Management Group was launched to further diversify the business.

Engineered Propulsion Systems

Engineered Propulsion Systems (EPS) is a development-stage aviation company formed by Michael Fuchs and Steven Weinzierl. EPS is developing a fuel efficient diesel aircraft engine that has applications with general aviation and helicopter companies. Longterm, over 125 new jobs could be created in an engine production facility based in New Richmond.

Soderberg

John D. Soderberg joined First National Community Bank (formerly First National Bank of New Richmond) in 1964. He currently serves as president and chairman of the board. The bank focuses primarily on small business lending. Throughout his career, Soderberg has led numerous civic organizations.

In 1997, he helped form the St. Croix Bridge Alliance, a two-state organization that promoted the construction of a new bridge over the St. Croix River. From 2003-2006, Soderberg was one of 28 stakeholders in the facilitated process that ultimately recommended the location and design of the new bridge.

This is the 17th annual business recognition program for St. Croix EDC. The EDC was established in 1993 as a private, non-for-profit organization that operates as the independent economic development of St. Croix County. Reflective activities include marketing and communications, business retention, expansion, recruitment, new business start-ups, and legislative advocacy.

For additional information, contact William Rubin at (715) 381-4383.

Tags: business, development