Small Business Success Story - Nortek Powder Coating
Each year the New York Small Business Development Center recognizes outstanding small businesses in a variety of ways. This Success Story from the Mohawk-valley SBDC appears in our 2015 Annual Report.
Borin Keith
As a Cambodian immigrant who escaped the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970’s, Borin Keith immigrated to North America, where he learned the powder coating industry. He worked his way into key management and acquiring 20-years of experience prior to forming Nortek Powder Coating. Borin established his company in 2005 with business plan assistance from Advisor Eugene Yelle at the Mohawk Valley SBDC. Nortek manufactures a wide range of high-quality powder coatings that are sold to industrial and commercial powder coaters throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Sales have steadily grown each year since the company's inception. Nortek's manufacturing process and facility are designed to readily accommodate both large and small production runs, with a capacity of over 10 million pounds annually. In addition to manufacturing and business operations, the facility includes in-house R&D, testing, quality control and technical support. The company's 45,000 sq. ft. facility in in an Empire Zone Rome was originally leased from Mohawk Valley EDGE.
Borin Keith
Nortek Powder Coating
Mohawk Valley SBDC
As a Cambodian immigrant who escaped the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia in the 1970’s, Borin Keith immigrated to North America, where he learned the powder coating industry. He worked his way into key management and acquiring 20-years of experience prior to forming Nortek Powder Coating. Borin established his company in 2005 with business plan assistance from Advisor Eugene Yelle at the Mohawk Valley SBDC. Nortek manufactures a wide range of high-quality powder coatings that are sold to industrial and commercial powder coaters throughout the U.S. and Canada.Sales have steadily grown each year since the company's inception. Nortek's manufacturing process and facility are designed to readily accommodate both large and small production runs, with a capacity of over 10 million pounds annually. In addition to manufacturing and business operations, the facility includes in-house R&D, testing, quality control and technical support. The company's 45,000 sq. ft. facility in in an Empire Zone Rome was originally leased from Mohawk Valley EDGE.
In 2014, the company purchased the facility from MVEDGE in anticipation of projected production and storage needs with loans from NBT Bank and NYBDC totaling just over $1 million. Today, the company is a significant player in the powder coating industry, offering over 200 standard colors. Nortek sells direct and through regional sales representatives, as well as online through its Website and Web store. The company has sustained an average annual growth rate of 15% per year since its inception. Borin’s accomplishments are an excellent example of individual self-achievement, and he exemplifies the essence of American entrepreneurship.
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