Four Mentor-Based Companies Made The Weatherhead 100

Four Mentor-based businesses made the annual Weatherhead 100 list, which honors the fastest growing companies in the region.

MUM Industries (which was ranked 24th overall,) US Endoscopy (44,) Thomas Employment (75) and Sheet Metal Products (93) all received the honors.

To qualify, companies must show consistent growth over the last five years.

The Weatherhead 100 has been compiled and managed by the Council of Smaller Enterprises since 2004. When it began in 1987, it was produced by the Enterprise Development Inc. -- the former nonprofit subsidiary of Case Western Reserve University.

Ron Traub -- the director of economic development for the city of Mentor -- was pleased to see so many Mentor representatives on the list; but he's already hoping for more next year.

"I always like to be better," he said. "Why didn't we have five or six? Contrarily, it was good to see the representation."

Traub was particularly pleased because three of the four businesses that made the list received support -- often in the form of grants -- from the city. (Thomas Employment is the exception.)

"We have chosen businesses that are exhibiting strong growth in the region," Traub said.

Specifically in the case of U.S. Endoscopy, the city helped organize a deal that allowed STERIS to buy U.S. Endoscopy in 2012, thereby ensuring the business stayed in the city of Mentor.

When recently asked about the purchase recently, Traub stressed STERIS's role in keeping U.S. Endoscopy in Mentor.

Overall, Traub said 2012 was a good year for business in the city of Mentor.

"People were hesitant to speak about 'recovery,' but we weren't shy because we saw evidence of it," Traub said. "We continue to see new businesses coming to town and new investments being made."