America's 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies Revealed 5000 Fast-Growth Companies to Quell Your Recession Fears - List Reports Aggregate Revenue of $185 Billion Optima Associates, Inc ranks No. 1021 on the 2008 Inc. 5,000 With Three-Year Sales Growth of over 300%
NEW YORK, August 29, 2008 - Inc. today ranked Optima Associates, Inc. No. 1021 on its annual ranking of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the country. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy - America's independent-minded entrepreneurs. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.
"Our second annual Inc. 5000 continues the most ambitious project in business journalism," said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. "The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth."
Optima Associates, Inc. a De Pere, WI Operations and Risk Management consulting firm provides lean enterprise, environmental management and safety related services to organizations throughout the US. Clients include Fortune 500 companies to small family held businesses in the manufacturing, transportation and private higher education marketplace. Steve Hirt, founder of Optima along with partners Pete Lemke and Roger Wolfe attribute their growth to a talented team of consultants who provide their clients high value-added services resulting in increased employee performance, sales and profit growth.
The 5000 companies that made the list reported aggregate revenue of $185 billion and median three-year growth of 147 percent. Most important, the 2008 Inc. 5000 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 826,033 jobs since those companies were founded. Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc5000.com.
About Inc.com Inc.com, the daily resource for entrepreneurs, delivers how-to guides, advice, tools, breaking news, and rich multi-media to help business owners and CEOs start, run, and grow their businesses. Inc.com offers dynamic marketing solutions to help advertisers effectively reach Inc.com's audience of business leaders. Visit http://www.inc.com.
About Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference Each year, Inc. magazine and Inc.com celebrate the remarkable achievements of today's entrepreneurial superstars - the privately held small businesses that drive our economy. The Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference brings together members of the Inc. 5000 community-both a new class of Inc. 5000 honorees and the list's alumni-for three days of powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration. For the first time ever, this powerful networking event is open to all. Please join us September 18-20, 2008 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information or to register, visit www.Inc500Conference.com or call us at 877-211-0489.
MEDIA CONTACT: Steven M. Hirt, 920-425-1005, ext 306, Steven.hirt@optimatcp.com ###
Optima Associates, Inc. Receives 2008 Best of De Pere Award U.S. Local Business Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
WASHINGTON D.C. July 8, 2008 -- Optima Associates, Inc. has been selected for the 2008 Best of De Pere Award in the Business Management Consultants category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).
The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2008 USLBA Award Program focused on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USLBA and data provided by third parties.
About U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) is a Washington D.C. based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USLBA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USLBA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Local Business Association CONTACT: U.S. Local Business Association Email: PublicRelations@USLBA.net URL: http://www.USLBA.net ###
Johnson Level & Tool Company Engages Optima Associates, Inc to Provide Continuous Improvement Transformation
Mequon, WI (June 11, 2008) - Robert Johnson, President of the Johnson Level & Tool Company announced that Optima Associates, Inc. a De Pere, WI based consulting firm, specializing in Strategic Planning, Continuous Improvement and Risk Management, has been engaged to help Johnson develop improved performance through the tools of Continuous Improvement.
Mr. Johnson said, "If we expect to continue to be competitive in the market place and grow into the future, we must change the way in which we conduct nearly every aspect of our business. Continuous Improvement applies to every aspect of our business - from Sales, to Finance, Human Resources, Customer Service, IT, and of course Operations. Every function has the ability to improve the "product" they produce and the way in which they do it."
Kevin Shaver, Practice Leader at Optima Associates said, "Optima Associates is very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Johnson Level & Tool Company. Johnson is a fine example of an American heritage, family owned business that has grown to world-wide recognition and is not setting on their past accomplishments for future growth. Optima will help them develop strategic and tactical tools along with a formal Continuous Improvement program that will make them a Lean, Environmentally Sound and Safe organization."
About Johnson Level & Tool Company: Johnson Level & Tool has been in business for over 60 years and sells hundreds of products to contractors and do-it-yourselfers in over 30 countries around the globe. Johnson is focused to be the most complete manufacturer of quality measuring and layout tools in the world. To date, they hold over 50 patents for innovative, value-added products, that professionals reach for every day. Johnson Level & Tool Company is headquartered in Mequon, WI.
About Optima Associates, Inc.: Optima Associates, Inc. is a strategic and continuous improvement consulting services firm, founded in 2003, specializing in operations, continuous improvement, risk management and asset management consulting services. Optima Associates provides consulting services to a large base of manufacturers, administrative offices, medical facilities, and to more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide. Optima Associates is headquartered in De Pere, WI.
Kevin Shaver Senior Consultant Optima Associates, Inc. 1580 Mid Valley Drive De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 425-1005 kevin.shaver@optimatcp.com
De Pere consulting firm issues DOT compliance challenge
Carriers can get audit services without paying professional consulting fee if they score all satisfactory ratings during audit
De Pere, Wisconsin - (February 13, 2008) - Optima Associates, Inc., a safety compliance and risk management consulting firm based in De Pere, Wis., has come up with a new way to assist carriers with DOT compliance. The company will provide a simulated DOT audit and waive its consulting fees for any carrier that can score a satisfactory rating in each of six audit factors.
Optima will conduct a full DOT compliance review using the safety fitness criteria from Part 385 of the federal regulations, as well as the latest audit procedures published in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Field Operations Training Manual.
For carriers that accept Optima's challenge and score a satisfactory rating in all six audit factors, the company will waive its usual consulting fees. In these instances, carriers will only be charged for expenses incurred by Optima in the course of conducting the audit.
If a carrier scores an overall satisfactory rating but has a conditional rating in two or fewer factors, the carrier will pay 60% of Optima's consulting fee in addition to expenses.
Jeff Simon, a senior compliance consultant at Optima, says the company's DOT Compliance Challenge is a way to reward companies that are in compliance with the regulations.
"The companies that consistently do things right and that play by the rules can really benefit from this program. This is a way for them to get, at a nominal, expenses-only cost, an objective, outside review from a qualified DOT consultant to ensure that they're in full compliance," he says.
Simon explains that the program is designed to assist both for-hire carriers and private fleets. "This program is intended for carriers and fleets that are new to Optima and that are interested in receiving a systematic, professional review of their DOT compliance efforts from an outside consultant."
Simon notes that Optima's transportation consultants have conducted simulated DOT audits for hundreds of clients. "Our five DOT consultants each have at least 30 years of experience working in all aspects of the transportation business."
According to Simon, the launching of this program is especially timely considering the ongoing trend in aggressive enforcement taken by the DOT. "In recent years there has been a shift from education to enforcement. The DOT's stance is that carriers are responsible for knowing the regulations. Ignorance is no excuse. Carriers who are found in violation of the regulations will be fined, and the fines can quickly run into the thousands of dollars."
Simon maintains that full compliance is absolutely essential. "In the long run, it saves many times more than it costs, especially when considering the possibility of a lawsuit over an accident or incident caused by being out of compliance."
Simon adds that the DOT's database publicizes a motor carrier's safety rating and evaluation, and these scores are available to customers, insurance carriers, financial institutions, lawyers and the general public. "This is one more reason why full compliance is critical and why regular compliance audits are especially important."
Jeff Simon Sr. Compliance Consultant Optima Associates, Inc. 1580 Mid Valley Drive De Pere, WI 54115 (920) 425-1005 jeff.simon@optimatcp.com
Optima Associates: to Offer DOT Seminars, Defensive Driving Training
Green Bay, Wisconsin – March 17, 2006 – Optima Associates, Inc., has announced two new training opportunities: DOT safety and management skills seminars and defensive driver training for professional truck drivers. Optima is an operations, risk and asset management consulting services company. Beginning in April, Optima will offer safety and management skills seminars for individuals who engage in DOT regulated activities. Topics will include motor carrier safety, hours of service, alcohol and drug supervision, and hazardous materials. Jeff Simon, a senior consultant at Optima, says the company’s seminar series addresses critical industry needs. “The Federal Department of Transportation has recently issued additional regulations on maintaining logs books and time records. This seminar will help attendees understand these new requirements, which can be difficult and complicated for those who are not familiar with this area,” he says. Simon adds that the DOT has mandatory training requirements for alcohol and drug testing, which directly affect individuals who supervise drivers. “Our seminar on this topic will be helpful because the DOT tends to be extremely particular about compliance with its alcohol and drug testing procedures,” he says. Optima’s defensive driver training instruction sessions will show participants how to drive more safety and efficiently. These sessions will be led by two recognized professional drivers, James DePouw of Green Bay and Michael Strozk of Brodhead, Wis. DePouw has 33 years of driving experience, 2.1 million miles with no accidents, and is a four-time Wisconsin truck driving champion. Strozk has 32 years of experience, 1.8 million miles with no accidents, and is also a four-time Wisconsin truck driving champion. Both DePouw and Strozk are certified Smith System trainers. Participants in Optima’s defensive driver sessions will be able to learn using their own trucks in the driving portion of the training. According to Simon, one of the greatest challenges that companies have after hiring a driver is finding the time for continuing training and skills development. “With our defensive driving training, we’re able to help clients with this challenge by holding sessions in a short period of time to minimize disruption with driver work schedules,” he says. Both the seminar series and the defensive driving training will be held at Optima’s location in Green Bay. Participants are asked to register in advance by calling (920) 434-6450 or by contacting the company via email at Jeff.Simon@Optimatcp.com
Optima Associates To Open Adult Learning Center
Green Bay, Wisconsin – February, 2006 – Optima Associates, Inc., is opening a professional development center to assist organizations and individuals with their training and continuing education needs.
Optima is an operations, risk and asset management consulting services company. With its new Adult Learning Center, it will provide organizations with complex training instruction and enable individuals to learn the necessary skills to advance their careers.
Optima’s Adult Learning Center will specifically focus on providing standards-based instruction, assessments and operational activities to help organizations and individuals strengthen productivity and efficiency, increase revenue, and reduce costs.
Steven Hirt, Optima Associates’ president, says the company’s Adult Learning Center will provide a new approach to traditional application training by combining business management, process understanding and behavioral skill instruction.
“Our Adult Learning Center will offer integrated, engaging experiences structured around real-world scenarios,” Hirt says. “The courses will enable individuals and teams to perform their jobs more efficiently to help their organizations achieve their goals.”
Optima will also provide distance learning opportunities through the Adult Learning Center, according to Peter Lemke, Optima’s executive vice president. “We’ll use the Internet, telephonic technologies and other resources to make quality education and training available to more people,” Lemke says.
In addition, Optima’s Adult Learning Center will offer short-term skill-building courses for adults interested in upgrading their work skills or exploring new areas of employment.
Lemke adds that by using special techniques involving course design, instruction and communication, as well as special organizational and administrative arrangements, Optima can make quality training and career development affordable for many adults.
Optima Associates provides consulting services to a large base of manufacturers, mainly in the Midwest, and to more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.
Optima Associates Announces New Services, Expands Consulting Staff
Green Bay, Wisconsin – January, 2006 – Optima Associates, Inc., has expanded to offer two new management services, and has added nine consultants to handle its anticipated workload increase.
Optima Associates, a Wisconsin-based operations management and lean manufacturing consulting services firm, founded in 2003, has added to its current offerings in operations and lean manufacturing, risk management and asset management consulting services.
Steven Hirt, Optima Associates’ president, says the two newly added services will reinforce the company’s ability to carry out its mission of “helping clients optimize change to create world-class performance.” By adopting the firm’s philosophy of “teach, change and perform,” Hirt says clients will be able to better sustain the new initiatives they implement.
According to Peter Lemke, Optima Associates’ executive vice president, the addition of these two services will significantly enhance the firm’s services and capabilities. “We’ll now be better able to look at an organization’s overall operations approach, and work with them to offer leaner solutions that bring greater return for their investment,” says Lemke.
Lemke says the two new service areas address a growing need. “Because of increasing global competition, U.S. companies are being forced to become more resourceful in how they operate. Now we can offer our clients even more creative solutions to help them better compete in the international marketplace,” he says.
As a part of its Risk and Asset management services, Optima Associates will offer Chemical, Emergency, Transportation, Operations and Maintenance management assistance to the business community, including assessments, training, operation management, mentoring and computer systems. Currently Optima performs more than 5,000 building valuations per year, offers more than 100 training courses, and has 13 consultants performing over 20,000 hours of consulting services in this Midwest.
Optima Associates provides consulting services to a large base of manufacturers, mainly in the Midwest, and to more than 100 colleges and universities nationwide.