A manufacturing company in northern Iowa has won the 400-hundred-thousand dollar top prize in a national contest celebrating free enterprise and innovation. Actor Dean Caine hosted last night’s event that aired on YouTube and Amazon Prime.
Plas-Tech in Garner was one of five companies in pitch competition sponsored by the U-S Small Business Administration to spotlight small businesses that used capital from the agency to innovate and expand their operations. Dean Sonquist (SAHN-kwist) and his wife Marcia founded the technology-driven company in 1993. It specializes in precision machining and plastic molding.
Sonquist and his sons Andrew and Ryan made the final pitch to a celebrity judging panel during a program that was recorded in September and aired last (Tuesday) night. Sonquist says they’ll use the 400-hundred-thousand dollar prize to invest in automation for the company.
Sonquist and his sons say that continues to be the company’s goal for their family — and others.
Over a thousand small businesses from around the country submitted videos to participate in the competition. Besides the company from Garner, the other finalists were businesses from California, Georgia, Maine and Wyoming. The “Million Dollar Pitch Competition” was part of America 250 events.
