Sensors plans for 10-20% growth, more hires

Wednesday, January 19, 2011 | Source: Concentrate

Sensors isn't your run-of-the-mill Washtenaw County small business specializing in new technology.

First off, the Saline-based firm is too old to be called a start-up since it was formed by five University of Michigan professors in 1969. Second, the then new "thermopile infrared detectors for a new state-of-the-art exhaust gas analyzer" it started out developing aren't that far off of the innovative gas analysis technology it develops for the transportation industry today.

What is different is its size. The company has grown to 80 people (mostly housed in Saline) and an office in Germany. Sensors has been impacted by the recent recession, growing a little here and holding its own there over the last few years, but now the company is set to grow in 2011.

"The business came back as the market got better," says Rob Wilson, vice president of marketing for Sensors.

Sensors recently made the semifinals for the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition. Wilson expects that success coupled with the launch of new products (he declined to elaborate on what they are) will help propel Sensors to 10-20 percent growth this year, along with adding two more jobs in Saline.

Source: Rob Wilson, vice president of marketing for Sensors
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.