Posted February 27, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee -- Two Chattanooga companies recently honored by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce have received the annual U.S. Chamber of Commerce Blue Ribbon Small Business Award. 

Mike Collins and Associates, Inc. (MCA) and East Tech Company, Inc. were two of only three Tennessee companies to receive the U.S. Chamber award which honors businesses that demonstrate excellence in financial performance and business history, staff training and motivation, community involvement, customer service and business planning.

On February 20 MCA received the Chattanooga Chamber’s Small Business Award in the 21-50 employees category. East Tech was a finalist in the same category.

Founded in 1987 by Mike and Karen Collins, MCA provides Information Technology equipment to Chattanooga businesses at a competitive price and with high quality service.

The couple started the business with one employee in an 800-square-foot office. Over the years MCA built partnerships with Hewlett Packard, Dell Computers, IBM and other leaders in the industry.

In 2006 MCA opened the doors to a new building on Century Oaks Drive with over 23,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.

Today MCA has 42 full-time employees with offices in Chattanooga and Nashville and the ability to service more than 500 customers nationwide through its Depot Maintenance division.

East Tech Company, Inc. offers precision engineering and custom-manufacturing, using the latest CNC (computerized numerical control) machining technology, for applications in the power generation, asphalt paving, water treatment, automotive, textile and medical industries. 

Business doubled the first two years after East Tech opened its doors in 2004.  President and CEO Roger Layne started the company in a 10,000-square-foot building with a $1.2 million investment and $700,000 in state-of-the-art equipment.  Three years later East Tech moved to Centre South Riverport Industrial Park, in a new 30,000 square foot building. 

The company, whose customers include TVA, Westinghouse, Roadtec and Alstom Power, was named one of the 100 Fast-Growing Companies in Tennessee in 2007 by Business Tennessee magazine.

The U.S. Chamber awards will be presented in Washington, DC at America’s Small Business Summit, April 16 to 18.

The third Tennessee winner is Neely’s BBQ in Memphis.