Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Utah and Idaho have rightly secured their place on the national map for being leaders in the business community. The Harvard Business Review has recognized Utah for being one of the most entrepreneurial-minded states in the nation and MSNBC recognized Idaho as the most improved state for business. Not to mention Idaho has been named as the state friendliest to small business. Salt Lake City was also listed as No. 1 on the "10 Cities Where You're Most Likely to Achieve the American Dream" ranking.
Today, we complete our showcase of more top entrepreneurial minds as we finish highlighting our Top Businesses from 2013.
• The core of what Bluffdale-based Listen Technologies does is assisted listening. One of their main products takes audio from a sound system and delivers it directly to an individual's hearing aid or to receiver devices in a special hearing piece. Cory Schaeffer, co-founder of Listen Technologies, said the perception with hearing aids is those using them need louder but what they really need is help with ambient hearing, where they can eliminate noises they don't want to hear and amplify the ones they do. That's what Listen Technologies devices are designed to do. • The Orthogrid is a measurement system surgeons can use to have an intraoperative assessment of leg lengths and offset.... Edward Saget (sah-jay) of the Boise, Idaho-based company, says it's providing a better way to manage costs on procedures, all while improving the accuracy.... See what surgeons do is place the grid under the patient during surgery. With the help of a low-dose x-ray machine, the grid projects exact measurements over the patient's anatomy that the surgeon can use as a guide. That way, implants are better positioned in the body for longevity, stability and effectiveness. • Blendtec founder Tom Dickson says if you happen to visit one of the thousands of smoothie or coffee shops around the world and enjoy a blended drink, it's likely the blender was manufactured and shipped from right here in Utah...Blentec has created a patented blender with computerized programs so all you have to do is push a button to create your product...No wonder they have been named Utah Exporter of the Year since you can find them in over 90 countries worldwide. • Dave Staheli (stay-lee) of Staheli West manufactures and distributes the Dew Point 6110, a patented device that produces and injects steam into cured hay to enable commercial hay growers to bale hay anytime it's dry instead of waiting for natural dew to form .... Based in Cedar City, Staheli West has more than doubled their business every year since they launched five years ago...
These businesses demonstrate exactly what's right with Utah and Idaho, why the business climate continues to grow and improve.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
