Chroma opens office in China, ranks higher on Inc. Magazine list

On its 20th anniversary, employee-owned Chroma Technology in Bellows
Falls has a lot to celebrate.
The company, which manufactures optical microscope filters and
coatings for laboratories all over the world, recently opened a sales
office in Xiamen, China. And for the third consecutive year, it has
been honored by Inc. Magazine, which released its prestigious Inc.
500/5000 - a list of the nation's fastest-growing private businesses
- on August. 23.
This year marks a rise of 834 positions on the list for Chroma, which
was honored for an impressive 27 percent three-year growth and 2010
revenues of $24.2 million. The company employs 95 people.
"This means we had a great year last year," said CEO Paul Millman.
"And more importantly, it means we are once again recognized by the
greater business community outside of Vermont. As much as I love the
recognition we receive in Vermont, there is something very special
about being recognized by the larger US business community."
All of Chroma's manufacturing is done in Vermont, and it has long
exported much of what it produces here. The new office in China,
which joins offices in Europe and North America, represents a logical
next step in the company's growth.
"China is investing billions of dollars in biomedical and
biotechnical research and development," Millman said. "We seek to
have the kind of close-up and personal relationship with Chinese
engineers and scientists that we have with their counterparts in the
US and Europe. Only a Chroma presence in China will make this
happen."
The complete list of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles, can
be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000/list/2011.
Other Vermont companies on the list this year include King Arthur
Flour, Resource Systems Group, MBA Healthgroup, CPA Site Solutions,
Fuse and Global Sourcing Group. Chroma is the only manufacturer from
Vermont on the list.
"The most important highlight of our 20 years is that an
employee-owned company in a small state became a very important
supplier to some of the most important manufacturing companies of the
world," Millman said. "I can't think of a higher light than that.
That's thrilling."
Chria. 8.30.2011