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.