When Nick DeMarco founded his Burlington-based company, Analogix Inc., in 2000 after working in analytical chemistry in Kenosha, his firm was a one-man operation.
An engineer who was trained at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, DeMarco had an entrepreneurial bent, and he first manufactured flash chromatography consumable equipment in his home’s basement.
Flash chromatography is a technique used by medicinal chemists to purify novel synthetic compounds quickly. The Analogix products today include pre-packed columns (consumables) and automated instrumentation to enhance the critical purification step for organic compounds.
DeMarco listened to feedback from business associates and determined there was a need for his products, and his first attempts at manufacturing and selling were successful.
Over the past eight years, he has guided the company’s growth to become a technology leader in the development of consumables and instrumentation for automated compound purification equipment. Last year, when he sold his company to Varian Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif., for $11 million, he employed about 35 people. He continues to run the local operation as its business development manager for flash chromatography.
DeMarco doesn’t claim exclusive credit for the company’s success.
“Our employees make the difference. From sales to customer service through engineering and manufacturing, innovation and creativity run rampant within our facility,” DeMarco said. “And thanks to customers, Analogix has grown responsibly over the years. We are proud of our products and take great pride in our level of service. We sincerely thank our customers for their help. Our best ideas can be credited to close collaboration them.”
“Through Nick’s vision, creativity, drive and perseverance, Analogix has successfully competed against large international analytical instrument suppliers like Teledyne and Fisher Scientific,” said Joe Froehlich of Corporate Financial Advisors, who nominated DeMarco for the IQ Award. “He is a leader in his company and in the Burlington community. Wisconsin needs more people like Nick.”
Address: 171 Industrial Drive, Burlington
Web Site: www.ana-logix.com
Industries: Manufacturing
Innovations: Developing consumables and instrumentation for automated compound purification using flash chromatography.
