Inc. magazine ranked Cast Aluminum Solutions to its seventh annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America's independent entrepreneurs. Fuhu tops this year's list. Cast Aluminum Solutions joins LivingSocial, Edible Arrangements, CDW and Lifelock, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list.
In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2013 Inc. 500|5000 companies is an impressive 142 percent. The companies on this year's list report having created over 520,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $241 billion.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.
"Not all the companies in the Inc. 500 | 5000 are in glamorous industries, but in their fields they are as famous as household name companies simply by virtue of being great at what they do. They are the hidden champions of job growth and innovation, the real muscle of the American economy," says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.
ABOUT CAST ALUMINUM SOLUTIONS
Our specialty is providing precision heated parts to the semiconductor, medical, industrial and food markets. But don't let our name fool you. At CAS, aluminum is only the beginning. Some product solutions are cast from aluminum, copper or bronze and others are fabricated from wrought alloys including aluminum, stainless steel, nickel, inconel, molybdenum, copper and other metals. Our team has extensive manufacturing experience in casting, machining and electrical / mechanical assembly. CAS has complete resources on site to design and manufacture a specific solution for your particular needs. Our capabilities include design, application engineering, thermal and structural finite element analysis (FEA), a modern foundry, extensive CNC machining resources, mechanical / electrical assembly and a clean room. Our testing and measurement capabilities include coordinate measurement machines (CMMs), ultrasound inspection, digital X-Ray equipment, vacuum chamber testing, helium leak and thermal performance testing. Whatever your challenge, CAS has the resources and experience to provide a solution.
CONTACT
Michael Hjelm
Marketing Manager
630-482-5325
Mhjelm@castaluminumsolutions.com
The Houston-based Communitas Auto Group LLC, a recently formed Texas corporation, has purchased the rights to become the exclusive master franchisee for Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers for the State of Texas. The franchise business will operate under the Auto-Lab of Texas label and be responsible for all locations that are opened in the State. The group intends to create a significant presence in Texas by developing several company-owned locations as well as supporting a number of independent franchisees. This partnership serves as Auto-Lab's entrance into the attractive Texas automotive repair market.
"The Texas market has strong and growing demand for high-level, diagnostic auto repair services," says Frank Brandenberg, CEO of Auto-Lab, LLC based in Farmington Hills, Michigan with over 30 existing locations. "We are delighted to partner with such an innovative, entrepreneurial group that is led by an impressive team of seasoned professionals."
The Communitas Auto Group ("CAG") team is primarily led by experienced Houston businessman, Mike Humphrey. With an MBA from Harvard Business School, Mike is also a managing partner in Tanglewood Investments, a private equity firm that has substantially sold all of its operating companies built through 21 separate acquisitions over the past 17 years. Mike has a history of building successful companies in multiple industries, with particular strength in building teams that can guide companies through rapid, profitable growth.
"There are two things that I look for in new business opportunities. The first is a good concept. But more importantly, I look for strong leaders. With Auto-Lab and Frank Brandenburg, I have found both," says Mr. Humphrey. "With the advancing technology of cars and trucks, Auto-Lab's specific focus on diagnostics is a point of clear distinction in the auto repair industry. We are excited to bring this concept to Texas."
CAG will also be supported by Dr. Ben Litalien, CFE, the Founder & Principal of the specialized consulting practice, Franchise Well. Litalien spent the past two years guiding the CAG team through the franchise search and selection process, including negotiating the master franchise agreement with Auto-Lab. Previously, Litalien spent more than 20 years developing several successful franchised businesses, including Exxon Mobil's On the Run markets.
According to Litalien: "The segment in franchising that is experiencing the most growth is in area development. Acquiring the rights for an entire State is significant for the developer and the franchise company, and it allows for strategic growth and better economics across the board."
As the master franchisee for Texas, CAG will build and operate general auto repair shops under the Auto-Lab brand and will also provide support to franchises sold anywhere in Texas. Immediate plans call for opening two locations within the first year, likely both within the Houston area. Once these stores are established, CAG will then look to expand to other major metro markets in Texas.
ABOUT COMMUNITAS AUTO GROUP
Communitas Auto Group is a recently formed Texas corporation based in Houston, Texas. The company is affiliated with PEP, a Houston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to unlock the human potential in formerly incarcerated men through entrepreneurial passion, education and mentoring (www.pep.org). While the prospect of employing qualified PEP graduates is intriguing, no changes to the Auto-Lab concept are contemplated. "The goal for Communitas Auto Group is to be the best franchisee in the Auto-Lab system", stated Humphrey, "and through that commitment we fully expect to field the strongest team possible at each location, including some of our PEP graduates." The first location is scheduled to open in Houston within a year.
ABOUT AUTO-LAB
Auto-Lab, in operation since 1989, is a growing auto repair franchise business with an emphasis on being the complete car care alternative to the dealer. The company currently has over 30 franchised and corporate locations in Michigan, Indiana, Iowa and Florida. Each repair comes complete with a 12 month/ 12,000 mile warranty on all parts and labor. This partnership with Communitas Auto Group provides for the company's entrance into the attractive Texas automotive repair market. You can learn more about the company at www.AutoLabUSA.com.
CONTACT
Katherine Villeneuve
27280 Haggerty Road, Suite C-6
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
248-957-0481
SOURCE Auto-Lab, LLC
Inc. Magazine Unveils Its Annual Exclusive List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc. 500|5000