Perry Ballard Incorporated | Blog » Patrick Bosse http://perryballard.com/blog Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:51:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Cornerstone Alliance and Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards http://perryballard.com/blog/2009/02/20/cornerstone-alliance-and-chamber-of-commerce-annual-awards/ http://perryballard.com/blog/2009/02/20/cornerstone-alliance-and-chamber-of-commerce-annual-awards/#comments Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:54:19 +0000 Patrick Bosse http://perryballard.com/blog/?p=244 Last night we had the honor of joining our client Ausco Products for the 2009 Combined Annual Reception & Salute to Business Awards put on by the Cornerstone Alliance the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce.  They won the Large Business of the Year Award for their successes in 2008.  Ausco increased sales more than 14 percent in 2008 and has grown 80 percent over the past five years. Last year they posted their highest sales numbers in company history.  On top of that Ausco also earned a Platinum Stake Award for making investments of almost $4,000,000 in equipment and services.  We also were able to see two other clients win awards last night, Abonmarche Consultants won a Platinum Stakes Award and our newest client Freedom Screen won a Gold Stake Award.  It is especially pleasing in these times to see so many clients having successes.

Ausco Products, Inc. CEO Bill Heinrich accepting Large Business of the Year

Ausco Products, Inc. CEO Bill Heinrich accepting Large Business of the Year

Here is a link to the Herald Palladium article recapping some of last nights winners.
]]> http://perryballard.com/blog/2009/02/20/cornerstone-alliance-and-chamber-of-commerce-annual-awards/feed/ 1 Diversify or Die http://perryballard.com/blog/2009/02/06/diversify-or-die/ http://perryballard.com/blog/2009/02/06/diversify-or-die/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:13:44 +0000 Patrick Bosse http://perryballard.com/blog/?p=228 Everyone has heard it before.  Whether discussing finances or business, you can not have all your eggs in one basket.  For years companies have made their living in what are now slowing and/or dying industries (at least here in the U.S.).   Doom and gloom aside, a lot of companies in these industries are starting to take note that they need to do something now or face an end. 

The Detroit News ran an article this week titled “Auto suppliers turn to medicine”.  It discussed how suppliers are taking advantage of a strong medical market and available manufacturing space to create new divisions that can help shoulder the load and even grow their business.  Some companies such as Omega Plastics,in Clinton Township, MI, and Delphi, in Troy, MI, saw this coming and began the process years ago.  While Delphi has come across hard times they are now focusing more on their medical division to help it grow into a larger share of their overall business.  Sure it has its risks, but so does sitting around and waiting for the auto industry to come back.

Another article, this one in the January edition of The Fabricator*, revealed how metal forming shops once reliant on fading industries are trying to break into the aerospace and energy markets.  In this case in meant not only changing industries but retooling their equipment from metal forming to compression molding.  With automotive companies looking to lighten vehicle weights, it could put these shops in a spot to pick up more of that business when it comes around.  I am sure there are a lot of hesitancies when looking to retool expensive capital equipment, but the payoff could be worth it. 

There is business to be had if you are willing to put in the time and effort it takes to do the leg work and discover new markets you could service.  I would recommend starting by simply searching the web and see what people are talking about and what industries seem to be growing.  Attending trade shows in prospective markets and talking to the engineers and salespeople working the booths would be a great second step to give you a good idea if there is a fit for you.  If you would like some help researching and entering these markets give me call 1-800-800-9547 or send me an email pbosse@perryballard.com.

*If you would like a copy of the article I referenced above from The Fabricator let me know and I will send you a pdf.

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