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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2006
Contact information: Ryan Entz, 268-1152
iSi – integrated solutions, inc. named Chamber’s 2006 Small
Business of the Year
iSi (integrated solutions, inc.), a full-service environmental, health and safety consulting and services firm, is the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2006 Small Business of the Year. The Chamber made the announcement at a luncheon today at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Founded in 1991 with the merger of two small consulting companies, iSi assists manufacturers, federal, state and local government, architects, developers, and others comply with environmental and safety issues.
After sustaining steady growth for its first 10 years, iSi was adversely affected by the declining economy after the events of 9/11. Deeply in debt and forced to cut salaries and employee benefits, a new business model evolved under new ownership.
Advocating employee involvement in day-to-day business decisions, the entire staff participated in the first company-wide strategic planning session in 2002. By 2003 the results of investing back into the company and its employees through training, education and benefits was reviving this distressed company and has become the critical factor for its continued viability and growth to this day.
By year-end 2005, iSi had acquired four contracts relating to hazardous-waste management, increasing their revenues by nearly 300 percent over the previous year and allowing them to triple their 2001 employee count. Today, iSi continues to build on their growth by maintaining strong relationships with its customers.
"The most difficult part of this whole process has been for the judges to select only one company as the recipient of this year's Small Business of the Year award," said Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO of the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce. "iSi's impressive business philosophy, resulting in tremendous growth, personifies what matters in business today--quality employees and the measurable impact a well-led company makes with both its customer base and the greater community."
A panel of judges selected the Small Business Awards Top 10 from nearly 200 nominated companies, based on growth, financial strength, employee relations, community service and company history. Eligible companies had to be for-profit, headquartered in the Wichita Metro area, employ no more than 100 full-time equivalent employees and be in business a minimum of three years.
Judges then selected the 2006 Small Business of the Year from the Top 10 based on a site visit, Chamber event participation and community involvement.
The 2006 Top 10 Small Businesses:
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- Fahnestock Heating, A/C & Electric
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- Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper
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- Fleeson, Gooing, Coulson & Kitch, LLC
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- Scott Rice Office Interiors
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- iSi Integrated Solutions Inc.
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"All of our 10 Small Business Award finalists are exemplary companies being led by gifted and visionary leaders and dedicated employee teams," adds Derreberry.
The Wichita Metro Chamber’s Small Business Awards program is designed not only to provide small business the recognition they deserve but to also give other small businesses in our region a chance to learn from the best. Three events were held to allow business professionals access to this year’s Top 10: a Business After Hours Showcase on April 13, a Sunrise Scrambler on April 20 and the awards luncheon on May 16.
Presenting Sponsor: NCRI – National Catastrophe Restoration Inc.; Gold Sponsor: The Wichita Eagle; Luncheon Host Sponsor: Coventry HealthCare of Kansas; Showcase Host Sponsors: TCK Trust & Financial Advisors; Wichita Art Museum; Showcase Sponsors: Boeing Wichita Credit Union, Kelly Services, Inc., Towne East Square/Simon Property Group; Print Sponsors: Bank of the West, Bradley Fair and Emprise Bank.
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