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For Immediate
Release
Local Business Gains National Recognition
Local Small Business Named among Nebraska’s Top 100
Ashland, Nebraska, December 8, 2006
In recognition of the economic power of multicultural businesses, DiversityBusiness.com, the nations’ leading multicultural internet site, recently named KZCO, inc. number 3, of the “Top 100 diversity-owned businesses in the state of Nebraska (Div100)”.
The Div100 is the 7th annual listing of the Nebraska’s top 100 Small businesses. Ranging in revenue size from $3,500,000 to over $11,300,000, the companies listed on the Div100 represent the state’s top small businesses earners and challenge the long-held notion that a small business is small or insignificant. Div100 members are sought after by major corporations wishing to increase spending with small businesses.
The Impact of Diversity Business Affected by recent economic and demographic trends and changes, Fortune 1000 corporations throughout the country have recognized that buying products and services from small businesses positively impacts their business. Small businesses contribute over $1.4 trillion in sales to the U.S. economy.
“Small businesses and consumers are a growing force in the U.S. economy, and a force to be reckoned with,” said Kenton Clarke, CEO of Computer Consulting Associates International, the company that built DiversityBusiness.com. This is a whole business segment that can carry its own, that provides jobs, products and services, and generates wealth for their communities. These are the new leaders in American business.”
Gloria Bohan, CEO of Omega World Travel in Fairfax, Virginia commented “This group represents the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy and even more. It offers insights into a vastness of cultures and an exchange of ideas that are so valuable in helping me to understand how to reach the needs of today's consumers”.
Keith Ziegenbein, CCABW of KZCO stated that this rating was certainly a surprise to him, “I didn’t realize an organization like this even existed, and we hope to utilize it to its’ full extent. The Div 100 application was discovered and completed by our astute Procurement Engineer and resident MD, Mark B. Johnson. The exercise was the first step towards becoming an approved vendor for Waste Management Company. The hopes are to attract them and others, in a lease program for our new I-OpenR: a garbage tote automatic-lid-lifter; which provides hands free use of the totes’ hinged plastic lids used by the consumer. The I-OpenR significantly reduces contact with the bacteria that can reside on and inside these garbage containers, and as such, provides a healthier, more convenient environment for all users. ”
The Div100 The Div100 is a classification that represents the top 100 small businesses in Nebraska, in sectors such as technology, manufacturing, food service and professional services. Large organizational buyers throughout the country that do business with multicultural and women-owned businesses use the list. The Div100 is produced annually by DiversityBusiness.com, the nation's leading multicultural B2B Internet portal that links large organizational buyers to multicultural product and service suppliers.
The winning companies will be honored at a special awards ceremony at DiversityBusiness.com’s “7thh Annual Multicultural Business Conference”, taking place April 11 - 13, 2007 at the Mirage in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For the complete list of winning companies, please visit: www.diversitybusiness.com
About KZCO, inc.
A Little Background on KZCO, inc.
Founded in 1976 by two Nebraska farm boys, Keith and Kevin Ziegenbein; KZCO’s mission has always been to create convenient automated products that are useful for consumers. 2006 marks our 30th year in business. We invent, engineer, manufacture and sell our own products. Our Company is made up of dedicated engineers, as well as sales and manufacturing staff with the drive and determination to create innovative products that are firsts in their respective industries. We also take great pride in providing courteous customer service that promotes long lasting relationships.
In 1982, Keith Ziegenbein had the idea for the original Press ‘n’ Pitch, which eventually became an I•OpenR in its most basic form. Originally the Press ‘n’ Pitch was designed without the infrared electric eye; instead you simply tapped the door slightly and it opened for a few seconds, then it closed automatically. For awhile it even had a voice box to thank you for throwing away your trash; but this feature never made it to the mainstream. The original design was slightly simpler and not as intelligent when compared to the sleek new I•OpenR of today.
If you live in the Eastern Nebraska area, you may remember some restaurants that had the Press ‘n’ Pitch in the mid 80’s, several are still in use today, 15-20 years later. Some area homes have also installed the original Press ‘n’ Pitch in custom kitchen and bath cabinetry. While successful on a regional basis, the ability to realize his vision of their use in a large number of places was not to be at that time.
Ironically, what was originally perceived to be one of Press ‘n’ Pitch’s best features may have ended up contributing to its lack of large commercial success. The Press ‘n’ Pitch’s touch actuated door meant that there was no visible change made to the outside of the waste receptacle. The casual user perhaps pre-occupied with always having to hold the door open with one hand in order to use the waste receptacle often did not realize they were in fact, not holding anything open! The new I•OpenR can still be used in this original Press ‘n’ Pitch manner if desired, without the infrared display sensor connected, but the typical customer wants the infrared eye to open the door even cleaner for them. Thus, most users quickly notice the infrared display panel mounted on each waste receptacle and realize that this is no ordinary garbage can!
Today, instead of making them in their farm shop in the wintertime; 30 years later we have grown to a closely-held, ultra-clean, state-of-the-art organization. While the Press ‘n’ Pitch may have originally been ahead of its time, we believe that 2006 marks a new beginning for the I•OpenR. In today’s fast paced, mobile society, people have grown to expect the best in sanitary convenience and like it even more when it’s delivered in a high-tech fashion. The I•OpenR is ready to lend a helping hand!
While our core business is manufacturing electric actuators, primarily for smaller valves of various types; we have grown into a multi-market manufacturing facility. Our electric valves are typically used on a wide variety of agricultural and industrial machinery worldwide. However, applications range from whirlpools to fire trucks to giant farm sprayers. We are always searching for new uses and modifications that will make our products more useful. In that regard, the I•OpenR is a natural extension of our product line and abilities.
For additional information, please contact: Carrie Widger KZCO, inc. (402) 944-2767
About DiversityBusiness.com Launched in 1999, with over 32,000 members DiversityBusiness.com is the largest organization of diversity-owned businesses throughout the United States that provide goods and services to Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies and colleges and universities. Members use the sites technology to find and track new business opportunities. It also produces the country’s largest conference on diversity education and training for major corporations and small business. Its research on top businesses appears in Fortune, Forbes, Business Week and numerous magazines and media publications. The site has gained national recognition and has won numerous awards for its content and design. DiversityBusiness.com is produced by Computer Consulting Associates International Inc. (CCAii.com) of Southport, CT. CCA was founded in 1980 by CEO Kenton Clarke.
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