Phone: (937) 885-5053

Fax: (937) 885-6102

Principal business: Service

Thumbnail sketch: Independent insurance agency.

Sales for 1998: $66 million

Miami Valley employees: 27

Employees elsewhere: 38

Outlook: The company plans to acquire industry-specific, niche-oriented agencies, which it expects to help drive increased sales and profits. It also plans additional ancillary services to its present programs, in providing service and further distinguishing its value-added services from competitors.

Oberer Development Co.

Street: 4324 Webster St.

City & Zip: Dayton 45414

Year started: 1949

Phone: (937) 278-0851

Fax: (937) 278-6334

Principal business: Construction

Thumbnail sketch: Develops land and builds houses for first-time buyers, move-up buyers and empty-nesters. Also develops commercial property.

Sales for 1998: $62.7 million

Miami Valley employees: 136

Employees elsewhere: 13

Outlook: Oberer has a big commercial project for the year, the Valley Green North shopping center in Fairborn. A new Kroger's store will anchor 11 or 12 other businesses in the center, George Oberer said. Two "sizeable" residential developments will be built south of Miamisburg and in Miami County north of Huber Heights, as well as a multi-family development in Beavercreek.

Ferno-Washington, Inc.

Street: 70 Weil Way

City & Zip: Wilmington 45177

Year started: 1955

Phone: (937) 382-1451

Fax: (937) 382-0895

Principal business: Manufacturing

Thumbnail sketch: Produces medical devices, including emergency patient-handling gear as well as physical therapy and mortuary equipment.

Sales for 1998: $60 million

Miami Valley employees: 450

Employees elsewhere: 95

Outlook: With 40 percent of its market overseas and Japan its biggest export market, "We're struggling to hold our own" in the face of a strong dollar, Elroy Bourgraf said. The domestic market has also been weak, he said. "If we can hold our own this year, I'll be very thankful," he said.

Ferguson Construction Co.

Street: 400 Canal Street

City & Zip: Sidney 45365

Year started: 1920

Phone: (937) 498-2381

Fax: (937) 498-1796

Principal business: Construction

Thumbnail sketch: Design and build general contractor specializing in industrial, commercial and institutional construction.

Sales for 1998: $59.2 million

Miami Valley employees: 255

Employees elsewhere: 0

Outlook: The company will continue its emphasis on training field employees in trade skills as well as "soft" skills such as supervising people and dealing with customers.

The Dupps Company

Street: 548 N. Cherry St.

City & Zip: Germantown 45327

Year started: 1935

Phone: (937) 855-6555

Fax: (937) 855-6554

Principal business: Manufacturing

Thumbnail sketch: Equipment manufacturer for paper and food processors

Sales for 1998: $58.9 million

Miami Valley employees: 187

Employees elsewhere: 15

Outlook: Dupps' business depends on the agriculture industry, which has been suffering from the lowest commodity prices in more than 20 years, said Hank Dupps, executive vice president. "We're not predicting a banner year by any means," he said. "We'll hold onto our market share. It's just going to be a smaller market."

Setzer Corp.

Street: 207 E. Sixth St.

City & Zip: Dayton 45402

Year started: 1946

Phone: (937) 496-2920

Fax: (937) 496-2924

Principal business: Construction

Thumbnail sketch: Electric and telecommunications contracting.

Sales for 1998: $56 million

Miami Valley employees: 215

Employees elsewhere: 260

Outlook: The construction business is "extremely strong," and Fred Setzer expects 1999 to bring anywhere from 20 percent to 30 percent more business than last year. "People's business in general is extremely strong. The biggest problem is getting qualified people," he said.

Dolly Inc.

Street: 320 N. Fourth St.

City & Zip: Tipp City 45371

Year started: 1923

Phone: (937) 667-5711

Fax: (937) 667-8758

Principal business: Manufacturing

Thumbnail sketch: Dolly makes diaper bags, diaper bag gift sets and nursery and playroom accessories. Most sales are to large retail chains.

Sales for 1998: $53 million

Miami Valley employees: 275

Employees elsewhere: 0

Outlook: Although the U.S. birth rate has been largely stagnant the past few years, Dolly is planning new products in "two areas where we have not had significant product offerings," Dennis Sullivan said. "I think this year has the opportunity to be a very good year for us."

Mike-sell's Potato Chip Co.

Street: 330 Leo St.

City & Zip: Dayton 45404

Year started: 1910

Phone: (937) 228-9400

Fax: (937) 228-1828

Principal business: Manufacturing

Thumbnail sketch: Prepares and markets potato chips and other snack food from plants in Dayton and Indianapolis.

Sales for 1998: $52 million

Miami Valley employees: 170

Employees elsewhere: 100

Outlook: Now mainly in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, Mike-sells will work to increase sales and expand its presence in Illinois as well as increase sales of its pretzel products.

Kirk NationaLease Co.

Street: 800 Vandemark Road

City & Zip: Sidney 45365

Year started: 1969

Phone: (937) 498-1151

Fax: (937) 498-9920

Principal business: Service

Thumbnail sketch: Kirk NationaLease and KBT Inc. provide transportation services, including truck leasing.

Sales for 1998: $51.7 million

Miami Valley employees: 115

Employees elsewhere: 215

Outlook: The economy should remain robust in 1999 and Kirk expects businesses to continue outsourcing fleet operations and leasing vehicles to meet growth needs, president Greg Martins said. The company plans to continue market penetration efforts and stay on the lookout for growth opportunities.

Reliable Oil Equipment Inc.

Street: 1639 Stanley Ave.

City & Zip: Dayton 45404

Year started: 1960

Phone: (937) 461-4890

Fax: (937) 461-3257

Principal business: Distribution

Thumbnail sketch: Distributes equipment for retail and commercial fueling facilities. Also offers related construction services.

Sales for 1998: $46 million

Miami Valley employees: 39

Employees elsewhere: 29

Outlook: Reliable plans to expand its customer base outside of Ohio by increasing its use of the Internet and printed catalogs.

Amos Press Inc.

Street: 911 Vandemark Road

City & Zip: Sidney 45365

Year started: 1876

Phone: (937) 498-2111

Fax: (937) 498-0888

Principal business: Manufacturing

Thumbnail sketch: Produces various publications, including daily, suburban and hobbyist newspapers in Sidney and the Dayton area.

Sales for 1998: $45.6 million

Miami Valley employees: 475

Employees elsewhere: 0

Outlook: Amos announced in October 1998 that the Amos family had decided to consider selling the publishing business. It expects the sale to be announced by the end the first half of this year.

Duncan Oil Co.

Street: 849 Factory Road

City & Zip: Beavercreek 45434

Year started: 1958

Phone: (937) 426-5945

Fax: (937) 427-2365

Principal business: Retail

Thumbnail sketch: Sells heating oil, racing gasoline, fuel to corporations and municipalities, operates 30 convenience stores, and supplies gas to 60 independent stations.

Sales for 1998: $43.6 million

Miami Valley employees: 151

Employees elsewhere: 50

Outlook: With new locations slated to open this year, Roger McDaniel anticipates "a combined growth and expansion of our company. We think the economy will remain strong throughout the year," he said.

Ernst Enterprises, Inc.

Street: 3361 Successful Way

City & Zip: Dayton 45413

Year started: 1946

Phone: (937) 233-5555

Fax: (937) 233-9203

Principal business: Distribution

Thumbnail sketch: Provides ready-mixed concrete and supplies to construction industry in southwest Ohio.

DAYTON TOP 100 1999
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