Superior company honored with 2023 SBA Wisconsin Small Business Persons of the Year

A big honor for Arctic Compressor in Superior. They received the 2023 SBA Wisconsin Small Business Persons of the Year award.

The SBA came to Superior on Friday to hand it out in person.

President Steven Potter shared it was amazing to get national recognition. And he credits the great workforce, which has grown from 7 to 42. “In 2018 when we split the company into its own manufacturing division. We had seven employees today. I was I was told yesterday the number is now 42.” Potter said. “It’s kind of amazing to see this growth. And it’s pretty amazing to be recognized at a national level for this growth. We’re we’re excited for what the future brings”

According to the SBA, Steven Potter is president and his parents, Peggi and Chuck Potter, are founders of Arctic Compressor. They manufacture specialized air compressors which deliver critical air to firefighters.  “The majority of the growth at this point can be attributed to our great staff.” Steven Potter said. “I left for a trade show last week, and I came back and I had two new employees I hadn’t met yet. This has really grown to a large organization that that runs independent of any one person.”

In late 2017, Steve started meeting  with advisors from the SBDC at UW-Superior and SCORE in Brainerd, MN, both SBA-backed resource partners. “We’ve doubled our current size and with possibilities to expand to multiple times out into into the rest of the building as time goes on.” Potter said. “So that’s going to allow us to add new product lines, get into new markets and grow the business substantially in that direction.

Their monthly business development meetings have resulted  in significant expansion in sales, employment, and the purchase of a new plant with an SBA loan. 

Chuck and Peggi attended the SBA’s National Small Business Week award ceremonies in Washington, D.C earlier this week.