River Falls, Wisconsin - UV systems and technology leader Air Motion Systems | AMS UV has been recognized as one of the thirty-three 2011 “Wisconsin Companies to Watch,” an awards program presented by the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network (WEN) with support from the Wisconsin SBDC Network and the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED) at the University of Wisconsin-Extension in association with the Edward Lowe Foundation.

In connection with the announcement, AMS will be honored at an awards ceremony during the inaugural Wisconsin Companies to Watch gala on May 5, 2011, at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison.

Based along Wisconsin’s I94 Corridor Technology Zone near Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, Air Motion Systems | AMS UV (www.airmotionsystems.com) is a leading provider of conventional and LED UV curing technologies to the graphic arts and other industries. The company’s patented P3 UV system is now the leading system for high quality offset UV printing in North America, and its next generation PEAK LED-UV system is breaking new ground in the adoption of energy-efficient, semiconductor-based UV LED light curing in the graphic arts and other finishing processes.  

“We are thrilled to receive the Companies to Watch Award for Wisconsin” said Steve Metcalf, President and CEO of AMS. “Our state is home to a growing number of companies involved in exciting and forward-thinking technologies and services. Being recognized in this way is further validation of our enterprise focus and the customer success we’ve experienced in the graphic arts market and the broader industrial UV space.”

“I’m pleased to recognize the winners of the Companies To Watch Award,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Paul Jadin.  “These companies are poised for future growth and will help drive investment and job creation in Wisconsin.”

"CTW acknowledges companies at the crucial stage of growth where financial potential, concept and management have been established, and attracting talented workers, solid vendor relationships and access to peer learning are key components of future growth," added Gayle Kugler. The Edward Lowe Foundation's studies have shown second-stage companies are the ones who generate jobs and economic growth in their communities.

Companies making it to the Wisconsin Companies to Watch list are a remarkable group of second-stage companies. Defined as having 6 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants, these companies form the backbone of Wisconsin’s economy. Representing all regions of the state and a diverse range of industries, companies like Air Motion Systems are known for their exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, creation of innovation or use of innovation in creative ways, and their sustainable competitive advantage. Winners were selected by judges from the banking, economic development, entrepreneurial and angel communities.