Optimal at Optimum

As corporate models go, Optimum Design Associates isn’t unique. Several firms have launched as design shops only to add EMS capability as they matured.

But one thing ODA does that I really like is provide a much greater level of detail about its financials on its website.  See below:

Financial Disclosure

Financials through 12/31/2013

Ownership Private
Annual Revenue $19 million
Credit Access $5 million
Loan Balance $133,000
Principal Payments $3,700
Access to additional financing Yes
Executive changes last 90 days No
Ownership changes last 90 days No
Return on Assets (last quarter) 3.6%
Current Ratio 2.2
Quick Ratio 1.21
Capitalization 23%
Cashflow 5.45
Debt to Equity Ratio .003

 

For a privately held company, that level of public disclosure is unusual. For a small business, it’s unheard of. Certainly any OEM worth its salt would ask for verification of financial stability prior to engaging, but having that data on hand upfront makes determining whether ODA is the right fit a little easier for potential customers (which could also be a time-saver for ODA), and moreover offers a high degree of confidence that ODA will be above board.

Perhaps that’s willingness to break the mold is why ODA is again on the Inc. list of the fastest-growing companies. (It also made the 2007 and 2008 rankings.)

Congratulations to Nick and the gang at ODA.

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About Mike

Mike Buetow is president of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (pcea.net). He previously was editor-in-chief of Circuits Assembly magazine, the leading publication for electronics manufacturing, and PCD&F, the leading publication for printed circuit design and fabrication. He spent 21 years as vice president and editorial director of UP Media Group, for which he oversaw all editorial and production aspects. He has more than 30 years' experience in the electronics industry, including six years at IPC, an electronics trade association, at which he was a technical projects manager and communications director. He has also held editorial positions at SMT Magazine, community newspapers and in book publishing. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Follow Mike on Twitter: @mikebuetow