Last year turned out to be quite the year for kSpace Associates. The Dexter-based tech firm tied for its best year ever (2011) in terms of revenue generated.
"A good chunk of that was solar panel metrology tools," says Darryl Barlett, CEO of
kSpace Associates. "We anticipate we will have similar sales level in 2015."
The 23-year-old firm develops and manufacturers diagnostic tools for the semi-conductor industry. In addition to solar metrology sales, several sales of its MOS Ultrascan system, which measures the curvature and bow of semiconductor wafers, were made to Chinese firms.
Those spiking sales allowed kSpace Associates to hire four people over the last year, expanding its staff to 26 employees and the occasional summer intern. The new hires include an optics engineer, a sales engineer, a field service technician, and an office assistant. It is currently looking to hire a software developer.
The company is also looking to pump up its sales of LED-based metrology products in 2015. The firm also landed a Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop new products. The first phase of the grant is worth $150,000.
"Phase 1 is a six-month project," Barlett says. "We hope to apply for Phase 2 by the end of the year."
Source: Darryl Barlett, CEO of kSpace Associates
Writer: Jon Zemke
Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.
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