January 2012 Magazine Articles

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Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
All Bob Stiller wanted was a good cup of coffee. And he wanted it whether he was on the Village Green in Waitsfield, in a gas station’s convenience store, or even at home. Thirty years ago that simple desire for consistently high quality coffee led him to found Green Mountain Coffee Roasters. The company has since become one of Vermont’s greatest success stories and has revolutionized how people brew and drink coffee ‘ one cup at a time.
Three Forks: Mocha Joe’s
You might not realize that Mocha Joe’s Cafe, down a short flight of stairs off of Main Street in Brattleboro, is one of the most serious coffee roasters and cafes in the state.
Exports from Vermont slump with manufacturing losses
The latest monthly and quarterly economic indicators from around the globe confirm that the world economy has slowed down amid the financial crisis in Europe and weakening growth in Asia. As a result, we see a fading trend in the foreign demand for goods made in Vermont. Vermont ranks last in the US in export growth.
EF Wall
Founded in Barre in 1970 as a general construction company, EF Wall has now become one of the larger construction firms in Vermont, serving New Hampshire as well. The company provides general construction, design-build services, construction management, project feasibility services and site selection services.
National Life
National Life Group takes pride in its long tenure on the Vermont 100 list ‘ often in the top spot, says company spokesman Chris Graff. But that's only the beginning, adds board chairman Tom MacLeay, who worked at the company for 32 years, 11 of them as its president.
Cersosimo Lumber
Cersosimo Lumber Company was founded in 1947 by Anthony Cersosimo beginning with a portable sawmill in Jamaica, Vermont. Cersosimo has grown to be one of the largest producers of Northeastern hardwood and Eastern white pine lumber in New England.
Fletcher Allen Health Care
Twenty-five years ago, Fletcher Allen Health Care didn’t exist. Though its roots date to the 1800s, Vermont’s largest hospital was founded in 1995 through the integration of Fanny Allen Hospital, the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, and the University Health Center. John Brumsted, MD, who is serving as FAHC’s interim president and CEO, says the type of integration that drove the hospital’s past is also shaping its future.
Okemo Mountain Resort
As its 30th winter season under the management of Tim and Diane Mueller starts, Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow is hoping for snow and cold. Despite early snowfall before Thanksgiving, an overall mild fall has not been the best for snowmaking.
Foster Motors
In 1924, three members of Middlebury’s Foster family decided to open a shop for repair of the horseless carriages that had taken over Addison County’s highways. The business was successful enough to convince Chrysler in 1936 that they could maintain a dealership. It prospered, despite the Depression, and in time they added Dodge and Jeep dealerships to the operation.
Vermont Leading Economic Indicator: Vermont economy holding steady
The VBM/e-forecasting.com VT Leading Economic Indicator, Vermont's early bird of economic activity, remained flat in October 2011 at a reading of 115.1 where 2000 is set equal to 100. The private forecasting service said the composite Vermont index of state leading indicators, which is produced jointly with Vermont Business Magazine, stayed flat in October after a decline of 0.3 percent in September.
St Albans Co-Op
Even as the number of Vermont dairy farms continues to shrink, the St Albans Cooperative Creamery retains its place among the state’s leading enterprises. In the US Agricultural Census, the St Albans Co-op takes its place as one of the nation’s largest sources of dairy products. ‘We’re 24th,’ said Tom Gates, cooperative relations manager. ‘We’ve been in that position for several years now.’
Engelberth Construction
Anyone seeking to show that small businesses are the great job creators could do no better than to look at the history of Engelberth Construction. The company started in 1972, backed by a family loan and a second mortgage. A half a century and several severe economic downturns later, they have not only survived but have grown to more than 220 employees.
Bread Loaf Construction
When Bread Loaf Construction, Inc, founded in 1968, changed its named in 1998 to the Bread Loaf Corporation, the shift marked a change in emphasis that has been a key to the company’s survival and growth.
Britton Lumber
Britton Lumber Company, Inc in Fairlee has two main divisions, the first distributes building materials to over 200 retailers in Northern New England - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts - and New York, and the other division manufactures Eastern white pine lumber. The company was founded in 1946 in Hartland, moving to Fairlee in 1971. ‘We buy logs from logging operations within a 50 to 75 mile radius of our plant,’ said Doug Britton, company president.
DEW Construction
Jay Peak Resort's $100 million expansion is a significant reason why 2010 was the best in DEW Construction's 14-year history. The Williston firm built the water park and Tram Haus Lodge and is completing the 120-room Hotel Jay that includes a conference center. But DEW founder and president Don E. Wells is quick to point out that Jay's not the only big project his Williston-based company has landed.