Romeo company a finalist in MI 50 awards

The spotlight has been shined on a lighting company in Romeo.

ZON LED, a company under Ultraform Industries, has made it to the finals of the 2012 "50 Michigan Companies to Watch" awards.

The program, developed by the Edward Lowe Foundation, honors companies in Michigan that display high performances in the market or possess innovative products or processes.

Only second-stage companies are eligible to be nominated and must meet a number of qualifications. These include being commercial firms that are privately held, employing six to 99 full-time employees and having between $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital.

According to Don Frattaroli, owner of Ultraform since 1986, ZON LED employs six full-time workers and is projecting a 203 percent increase in revenue for 2012 when compared to 2011's numbers.

"That could be on the low side," said Frattaroli. "We're working with some large orders right now."

The nomination for ZON LED was submitted by James Ahee, senior economic development specialist with Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.

The company was nominated as of Nov. 17, finding out in early January that it was a finalist for being one of 50 companies selected.

Winners are announced at the Michigan Celebrates Small Businesses gala in May and receive a trophy, a profile in a magazine and increased exposure.

Frattaroli admitted he was surprised by the news, but said the company's unique Light Emitting Diode (LED) products help place it as a front-runner.

"We do have a high-tech product here in LED lighting, and LED lighting is the future," he said. "We know we have a good product, no question."

The company manufactures LED "retrofit" fixtures and high bay lighting fixtures that replace conventional high-intensity discharge lights. Their LEDs are estimated to save 70 percent more on energy bills than traditional lighting and are quieter, safer and more durable.

ZON LED was founded in 2009 after two years of research and development of LED lighting fixtures. Since Ultraform already produces light fixtures, Frattaroli said it was only natural to branch out into another form of lighting.
"We got our first major order and purchased equipment to make in volume what we were making in the prototype area," he said.

They leased a building for the production equipment and are now shipping products throughout the United States and Canada.

"We build all the components in the state of Michigan," he said. "A lot of components are built here in Romeo."

Having been in Romeo since 1994, Frattaroli said Ultraform has had good relations with the village, such as receiving industrial facilities tax exemptions when purchasing new equipment.