U.P. Business part of "Michigan 50 Companies to Watch”

(Escanaba) – Brute Industries, Inc. / Race Ramps has been recognized as one of the 2012 “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch,” an awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation and presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Brute Industries, Inc. / Race Ramps will be honored at an awards ceremony during the eighth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, May 3, 2012 in Lansing , Mich.

Brute Industries, Inc. manufactures over 52 Race Ramp products in Michigan’s’ Upper Peninsula which are sold internationally through a vast network of distributors and dealers such as Summit, Jegs, Sears, Amazon, National Corvette Museum, Motorstate Distributing, Corvette Central plus many more. Race Ramps’ unique patented designs combine the lightweight properties of high density polystyrene with a hybrid polyuria non-slip coating to create strong, lightweight and safe vehicle service, loading and storage ramps, primarily geared to low high performance vehicles. Custom designed vehicle displays, wheelchair accessible ramps, sports and dance flooring, and trade show displays are also a niche. Richard Heinz, President, states “I’m very honored to receive this recognition – we strive to provide solutions for problems in a variety of markets, plus take great pride in making American made products of high quality. Serving our distributors, dealers, and retail customers with exemplary customer service is also a high priority.” Brute Industries has been honored for several consecutive years with multiple Global Media Awards by SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) for innovative new products in the marketplace as well.

Companies making it to the “Michigan 50 Companies to Watch” list are a remarkable group of second-stage companies. Defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants, these companies form the backbone of Michigan ’s economy. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, companies like Brute Industries are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage.

Winners were selected by Michigan-based judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurship development, industrial and venture capital communities.