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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
If you order a frozen drink in a place as far away as Australia or Brazil, there's a good chance it will be blended in a machine made right here in Utah.
You may not have heard of Blendtec, an Orem-based manufacturer of commercial blenders and kitchen appliances, but major international coffee and restaurant chains certainly have. They use the company's powerful blenders to make smoothies, frozen cappuccinos, milkshakes and other frozen drinks in locations across the globe.
George Wright, Blendtec vice-president of marketing and sales, tells me the company's history is one of innovation. Company founder Tom Dickson is constantly finding ways to re-invent the wheel, and his company's success is evidence of that. In 1975, Tom revolutionized the way homemakers mill wheat into flour by inventing a grain mill. The Kitchen Mill, as the product is known, gave the company its successful start.
Later, when the smoothie craze was just heating up, Tom invented a blender that took the blending world by storm. The computerized blender, which has twice the power of its competitors, has become the standard in its industry. Shortly after its creation, it quickly sold nationwide and began trickling into the international marketplace. After one of the leading coffee chains in the United States went international, Blendtec's products started gaining a worldwide following. Today, Blendtec is sold in more than 80 countries.
Having such a large international presence has helped the business weather the economic downturn better than most companies. George tells me that although one market might be down, others are still strong, which means sales remain high. Also, because it's always summer somewhere, clients can use the blender to make the perfect frozen drink.
George anticipates Blendtec will maintain its steady growth while continuing its reputation for innovation and quality products.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
Blendtec 1206 S. 1600 West Orem, UT 84058 801-222-0888
