Whatever Happened To...
P NYMA Inc. NYMA Inc. of Greenbelt, Md., is the only company that has topped Washington Technology's Fast 50 two years in a row -- 1988 and 1989. Since then, the high-tech technical services company has gone through several changes. It has opened offices in Cleveland and Pasadena, Calif., and focused on improving its product line. The change in direction can be traced to a change in leadership. In 1988 and 1989, NYMA was led by Azmat Ali, but recently,
P> NYMA Inc.
The $100 million company is a 1994 8(a) graduate, and has not suffered any losses since then. "We have continued to grow steadily and slowly," said Belford. "Competition in the marketplace is a lot tougher since 1988." NYMA has grown 475 percent since 1988.
Netrix Corp.
Netrix Corp. of Herndon, Va., the top 1993 Fast 50, has struggled to maintain its rapid growth. In fact, the manufacturer of integrated network switches has suffered a decline in revenues. During its third quarter of 1995, Netrix reported a $2 million loss and revenues of $10.7 million, down from $12.5 million for the same period in 1994. The company attributed the loss to changes in sales and marketing strategies. According to Netrix President Chuck Stein, the transition has taken longer and more energy than the company anticipated.
In an effort to pick up the pieces, Netrix has acquired Republic Telcom in Boulder, Colo., which offers a voice compression product line. Netrix is incorporating the product into its switches.
The international company also has opened offices in Germany and the United Kingdom for its direct sales, and an office in Italy to support its distribution partners.
International Computers & Telecommunications Inc.
ICT of Gaithersburg, Md., has reached a steady plateau since it ranked at the top of Washington Technology's 1990 Fast 50 List. The company, which specializes in systems engineering, has moved its business base away from federal contracts. Since the $14.5 million company's graduation from the 8(a) program in September 1994, it has turned to international and commercial clients instead.
ICT has joined a four-company international consortium that provides program management services to the Korea Airport Construction Authority to build the new Seoul International Airport. According to Jon Brundage, vice president of ICT, the airport is expected to be ready by 2000, and when finished, will be larger than Denver International Airport.
In 1992, ICT opened a subsidiary in South Korea called Global Tech Ltd., which has grown from three employees to 50 within one year.
Although revenues have grown very little since its listing in Washington Technology, ICT's main customers include the Army, Air Force, Air Force Reserves, the State of California, NASA, the Navy, the Department of Transportation, Korea Airport Authority and the Korea Airport Construction Authority.
User Technology Associates Inc.
UTA of Arlington, Va., has continued to push forward since its top ranking in Washington Technology's 1991 Fast 50. With 459 percent growth in the last five years, the company employs more than 500 professionals, up from 100 in 1990. "Since 1990, UTA has continued its pattern of sustained growth," said Yong Kim, president of UTA.
UTA is a $38 million 8(a) company that specializes in systems engineering, LAN management and commercial software development. Since 1990, the company has expanded to 16 locations nationwide and one office in Seoul, Korea, Kim's birthplace.
In 1995 Kim was named small-business person of the year for the Washington District Office of the Small Business Administration.
Newbridge Networks Inc.
Newbridge Networks Inc., of Herndon, Va., controlled a large network support niche in 1992 when it was ranked the fastest growing company in the Washington Technology Fast 50 list. Today, the Canadian company has found a new niche it wants to dominate.
Last month, Newbridge announced a product line to enable service providers to offer Internet access easily and quickly without causing the usual network backups. Newbridge has released several products that let the providers operate from a central location. The new line has performed well, as overall company revenues climbed from $65 million in 1991 to more than $157 million in 1994, and personnel increased from 287 to 2,955.
Unwilling to be left behind, Newbridge competitor Northern Telecom Ltd. has developed similar Internet access products.
Information Technology Solutions Inc.
Information Technology Solutions of Hampton, Va., has dropped from its No. 1 Fast 50 ranking in 1994 to No. 22 in 1995. Like many Fast 50 alumni, ITS reached a plateau.
The 8(a) company provides computer services, specifically the design and maintenance of automated systems, for federal agencies such as the Department of Defense. According to Wallis Arnold, ITS' newly hired executive vice president, the core of ITS' business lies in logistics for automated systems.
With revenues at $60 million, up from $35 million in 1993, ITS operates in 29 locations nationwide.
NCI Information Systems Inc.
NCI Information Systems of McLean, Va., has fallen from its No. 1 ranking last year in Washington Technology's Fast 50 list, but has managed to stay in the top 10. The information management and network services company will graduate from the 8(a) program in 1999.
Perhaps the company's most significant addition was the establishment last October of a commercial group headed by Teri Cambra. NCI, a technology-driven, not market-driven company, will target the financial services, state and local, pharmaceutical and legal services markets. "We saw this move as preparation for graduation from 8(a)," said Robert Poveromo, vice president of business development.
The company also reorganized and hired Bill Anderson from I-NET Inc. of Bethesda, Md., as NCI's vice president of operations.
NCI now has nine offices.
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