SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 14, 2009 — LAI International, Inc., strategic supplier of precision components and subassemblies for original equipment manufacturers, has announced that it has been named for the third consecutive year to the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. This positions LAI among the year’s fastest-growing and most-promising private manufacturing businesses in the United States.
   “Our major business development segments — power generation, aerospace and defense-related industries — continue to be strong,”  Stewart Cramer, president of LAI, said. “Our business mix does change from year-to-year, but our customer base is well diversified, which buffers us from some of the fall-off in specific segments. We are excited to keep moving up the Inc. 5000 list and be recognized for the third year in a row.”
   LAI shot up 1,068 places to 1,711th fastest-growing U.S. private company from 2,797th last year. LAI was ranked 3,688th on the list in 2007, the inaugural year of the Inc. 5000. LAI placed 28th out of 108 Arizona-based companies on this year’s list, and is the second-largest Arizona manufacturer out of seven companies ranked on the list.
   “As an Inc. 5000 honoree, LAI International shares a prestigious pedigree with some of the most successful businesses in America,” Jane Berentson, editor, Inc. Magazine, said.
   The Inc. 5000 list measures revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. To qualify, companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent and have had at least $200,000 in revenue in 2005, and $2 million in 2008.
   LAI showed revenue growth of 186.2 percent in the last three years, according to Vinnie Caliendo, CFO of LAI.
   “The Inc. 5000 gives an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth,” said Inc. 5000 Project Manager Jim Melloan.
 
About LAI International
   LAI is a leading contract manufacturer of precision-engineered components and assemblies for aerospace, power generation, defense, medical and other advanced technology industries. The company’s technology, engineering and manufacturing solutions are used to build components for airframes, aircraft engines, power generators, defense systems, medical devices and other mission-critical applications.
   LAI has developed strategic relationships with leading global OEMs and operates five U.S. manufacturing facilities, with locations in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Tucson, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine – all of which are ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified. The company also offers NADCAP-certified non-conventional machining processes.
   LAI has developed innovative applications in advanced machining processes, including waterjet cutting and drilling, laser cutting, drilling, welding and heat-treating, EDM drilling, CNC EDM, high-speed EDM, conventional CNC machining, five-axis CNC machining and precision grinding. The company also provides gage calibration, tooling production, air-flow inspection and additional manufacturing services.
   For more information, see www.LAIco.com. 
  
Quick Facts about LAI International
- Five U.S. manufacturing facilities: Phoenix, Tucson, Minneapolis, Westminster, Md., and Scarborough, Maine
- Founded in 1979
- Corporate headquarters located in Scottsdale, Ariz.
- All facilities ISO 9001 | AS9100 certified
- GE Customer Impact of the Year Award winner
- Lockheed Martin Corporate STAR Supplier
- Northrop Grumman Platinum Source Preferred Supplier
- ACE Corporate Excellence Award winner, 2008-09
- An Inc. 5000 fastest-growing private U.S. company, three-time award winner, 2007-09