Local company garners top national recognition

May 13, 2009 — The Arizona Daily Star

David Wichner

May 13, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Howard Stewart is getting used to planning parties celebrating awards won by his company, AGM Container Controls Inc.

On Tuesday, Stewart learned he'll have to plan big -- the Tucson-based company was named Small Business of the Year for 2009 by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The award, sponsored by Sam's Club, was announced and presented to AGM President and CEO Stewart during a luncheon at America's Small Business Summit 2009 in Washington, D.C.

"There is no secret to AGM Container Controls' success," Thomas J. Donohue, U.S. Chamber president and CEO, said in prepared remarks. "AGM encompasses the attributes that any company needs to succeed in a tough economy--business judgment, customer service, and a commitment to their employees."

The award honors the Tucson-based manufacturer for "being a leader in the community, demonstrating intelligent business judgment, and showing a true commitment to its employees and customers," the chamber said in an announcement.

AGM, which has been in business since 1970, makes an array of products, including devices that control moisture vapors within optics and electronic systems on missiles and wheelchair lifts.

The company, headquartered at 3526 E. Fort Lowell Road, employs 108 people.

"This is definitely not my award: It's their award because they contribute so much to our continued growth and continued success," Stewart said of his employees.

In early March, AGM learned it was one of 56 businesses to win the U.S. Chamber's 56 Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. AGM was among seven regional finalists for the top award.

"I thought we had a shot -- we've received some significant recognition in the past," Stewart said in a phone interview Tuesday as he rode Washington's Metro subway to an evening event.

Among its plaudits, AGM was named Manufacturer of the Year by the Arizona Association of Industries in 2007, and Manufacturer of the Year in the small-market category by Start-it Magazine in 2007. The company also won the United Way of Tucson's Spirit of Tucson award in 2005 for its United Way campaign, company giving and employee volunteerism.

The company's strong sales and employee loyalty also likely played into the award, said Stewart, whose parents, Roger and Joyce Stewart, started the business.

The company, which had sales of about $14.7 million last year, has averaged growth in shipments of 15 percent a year in the last eight years and 34 percent in 2007 alone, he said.

AGM offers an employee stock ownership plan, through which employees own about 32 percent of the privately held company's stock.

The company hasn't had a layoff in 18 years, Stewart said, and has a 91 percent employee-retention rate. Other than through retirement, only one salaried employee has left the company in the last three years, he added.

Local economic-development officials said AGM's award will be felt across Tucson's business community.

"These kinds of prestigious awards help put a national spotlight on Tucson as a place to do business," said Laura Shaw, senior vice president of marketing and communications for Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc.

Shaw said in an e-mail message that manufacturers create wealth and drive economic development, noting that TREO is working with AGM on its expansion plans.

"This is very, very good news for Tucson, in that it will call attention to Tucson as a good place to do business, and to grow a business," said Jack Camper, president and CEO of the Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, Stewart said he's got some planning to do.

"We always do some sort of celebration -- we need to do something very special for this."

Contact Assistant Business Editor David Wichner at 573-4181 or dwichner@azstarnet.com.

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