Ascent Solar Technologies: Promoting Alternative Energy

Solar energy has become the preferred option when it comes to alternative energy. There are several other options available in the market, but solar power continues to be the most efficient and widely used in households around the world. This could be because of the ease of installing solar panels and it could also be because of the cost, either way, this energy alternative is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide.

In the industry of solar power, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is one of the leading names that market materials used in the creation of solar panels. The company’s main product is the their flexible thin film photovoltaic material incorporated into plastic substrate. Their proprietary technology uses copper indium gallium diselenide. Their offerings are said to be much better than the combination of amorphous silicon and CdTe. The product features better flexibility, weight and relative size, making it more conducive in residential settings.

It was in 2005 that the company started competing in the market. The creation of the business was credited to the effort of ITN Energy Systems. The latter is known for investing in emerging energy technologies. Ascent started out with its research efforts in structuring their CIGS thin-film technology, which now powers their proprietary products. In 2009, the business started marketing their finished products. The manufacturing of their offerings is done from their facility in Colorado. Through the years, the company has garnered various citations for the technology they introduced to the market. They have been the recipient of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Invention Award in 2011 for their CGIS Technology.

In July 2006, the company made its initial public offering on the NASDAQ, using the ticker symbol ASTI. Today, the business is listed as a component of the Wilshire 5000 Index and continues to hold its corporate office in Thornton, Colorado. Annually, the business generates more than $7 million in revenue.

Anthera Pharmaceuticals: Researching and Developing Therapeutics for Unmet Medical Needs

There are not that many companies which have invested in creating therapeutics for autoimmune diseases. Anthera Pharmaceuticals is one of the companies that have invested on their research and development division to address these diseases as well as those related to inflammation.

The company has been around since 2004 and is now listed as a component of the Wilshire 5000 Index. It is traded publicly on the NASDAQ and markets its common stocks under the ticker symbol ANTH. The lead product of the business is currently being developed and is currently in late stages of clinical studies. This product is named as the A-623 and is intended for IgA nephropathy and systemic lupus erythematosus. By acquiring one of the clinical trials of Eli Lilly and Company, Anthera Pharmaceuticals got the Sollpura which is being investigated for pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT).

By continually advancing and investing in their research and development, the company continues to provide hope to patients with life-threatening diseases. It is in Hayward, California that the company holds its corporate office.

Approach Resources, Inc.: An Independent Oil and Natural Gas Company

One of the independent oil and natural gas companies headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas is Approach Resources, Inc. The business was incorporated in 2002 and made its initial public offering on the NASDAQ, where it continues to publicly trade its common stocks under the ticker symbol AREX.

As an energy company, Approach Resources is engaged in the exploration, exploitation and production of oil and gas in reserves across the Midland Basin in West Texas. Through the company’s efforts in acquiring promising properties, the business continues to expand its operations. As of, there are more than 680 wells that the business owns and operates. It ceaselessly hunts for resources in promising areas across the region. Additional drilling activities are also observed in the Canyon Sands play, Strawn, Clearfork and Ellenburger zones. It has been reported that the business is sitting on reserves amounting to more than 114.7 million barrels of oil equivalent (MMBoe).

Owning a leading position in the Midland Basin, the company’s largest operations in the Permian Basin is referred to as the Project Pangea, which spans from the Crockett County to Schleicher, Texas. By strategically acquiring and expanding its operations in the region, the company ensures the generated income of the business. It currently has three rigs operating on their Project Pangea.

In addition to its operations in the Permian Basin, Approach Resources has also entered into a venture project with EnCana Oil & Gas (USA), Inc. Under their agreements, the company has engaged in drilling activities in the Robertson and Limestone Counties in Texas. There are 11 wells that have been completed and one serves as a saltwater disposal property. In this venture, the company has 50% working interests and 40% net revenue interests on their 6,200 gross acre project. The location of the project is in the North Bald Prairie where it is reported to have proven reserves of more than 807 million cubic feet of gas and 4.7 million barrels of oil equivalent.

AirTran Holdings: An Airline Holding Company

AirTran Airways is the primary asset of AirTran Holdings, a Nevada corporation that operates as an airline holding company. The business is headquartered in Orlando, Florida and generates more than $2.6 billion annually.

The company has grown in size by acquiring ValuJet Airlines. With this acquisition, the business has almost doubled its number of domestic flights. In 2001, the business went public. Its initial public offering was done on the New York Stock Exchange, where it currently trades its common stocks, using the symbol LUV. After years of operations, the company has allowed to be acquired by Southwest Airlines. It was in 2010 that the transition started. The two companies are still in the process of completing the merger.

With the acquisition, the company has doubled its operations. Combining with the flights of Southwest Airlines, they have a total of more than 3,400 daily flights across the country. As of, the company continues to operate separately as it fully transitions as a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines.

Aerocentury Corporation: A Specialized Leasing Company

Owning a fleet of aircraft is very costly, especially if the vehicle is brand new. Depending on the demand of the vehicle, sometimes airline companies, especially those regional airline businesses, can save if they just lease the vehicle.

There is a growing market in the industry of leasing aircraft and aircraft engines. One of the companies that specializes in leasing these machines is AeroCentury Corporation. The business has been around since its inception in 1997. It continues to serve regional airline companies and provide them the much needed vehicles and engines in various terms. These terms usually range between 3 to 5 years and are sealed in triple net leases. The business not only serves the markets in the United States as it also has a presence in 15 other countries. It primarily serves the regional airline industry, while also catering to the needs of other commercial users. Since its creation, the business has steadily expanded its assets and continue to provide financing services to these airline companies.

As of 2013, the company has a network of more than $180 million and it continues to amass properties and provide services to a worldwide audience. It currently has a total of 43 aircrafts, which are comprised of 9 different types of vehicles. They also have 5 additional aircraft engines that are leased to different companies around the world. The expansion of the company is also evident in the steady growth of its revenue. From 1998, it has exponentially increased its income generating assets.

Although the company was formally inducted as an independent business in 1997, its predecessors have been around since 1989. The majority of the clients of the business is located in North America, Europe, South America and in the United Kingdom. Currently, the company trades publicly on the American Stock Exchange.

Abraxas Petroleum: An Independent Oil and Natural Gas Company

There are several independent energy companies that are listed on the Russell 3000 Index. One of these companies is Abraxas Petroleum Corporation. The business is publicly traded and is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.

As an oil and natural gas company, it is engaged in the exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas. The company’s operations are located in the Permian Basin, the Rocky Mountain and in the onshore Gulf Coast regions. It continues to expand its presence in these areas by acquiring properties. The activities of the company is continuously growing through their horizontal drilling activities. As of December 2014, the company is reportedly sitting on reserves amounting to more than 42.4 million barrels of oil equivalent.

It was in 1977 that the operations of the company commenced. Through the years, it has strategically acquired properties that helped bolster the size of its operations. Common stocks of the company are marketed on the NASDAQ.

Winmark Corporation: Providing Business Opportunities, Creating Brand Loyalty

Recognized as a leader in the resale industry, Winmark Corporation continues to bring back millions of items back to their communities through franchising. It stands as one of the experts in franchise-owned and operated business opportunities.

In North America, the business remains to be one of the top franchisors of leading retail stores. More than 1,000 stores have been opened for franchising by the company in the region. Through these stores, Winmark continues to provide small business entrepreneurs the opportunity to make a break in the market. As of, the business has ownership in 5 unique and well-loved brand names. These trademarks include Play It Again Sports, Music Go Round, Plato’s Closet, Style Encore and Once Upon A Child. The concept behind these brand names revolves mostly around buying, selling, trading and consigning of millions of merchandise. The operations of the business are divided into two reporting segments, namely Franchising and Leasing.

The five brand names operated by the company are part of their franchising opportunities. These store names carry products that cater to a wide range of audience. Plato’s Closet for instance, buys and sells used clothing for the teenage and young adult market, while Play It Again Sports markets used and brand new sporting goods. The leasing division is marketed under the brand name Winmark Capital Corporation. This business unit provides non-cancelable leases for technology and business-essential assets. Their offerings are marketed towards both small and large, growing organizations across the country.

Through the services offered by Winmark, the company is not only generating the income it needs, they are also helping out people start their venture. They are also providing customers in the area some of the sought after products at discounted costs, while creating a loyal brand following. Winmark continues to trade publicly on the NASDAQ, using the ticker symbol WINA.

US Ecology, Inc.: Promoting a Safer and Greener World

The old adage that goes “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is something that is fitting for the operations of US Ecology, Inc. The company, together with its subsidiaries provide the United States the services of properly disposing garbage and other waste products.

Formerly known as the American Ecology Corporation, the business made its name change in 2010. It has been around since 1952 and continues to operate under two business segments: Environmental Services and Field & Industrial Services. The business makes a huge impact in the proper disposal of garbage, especially those hazardous products. They maintain several wastewater, landfill and treatment facilities across the country. It offers various cleaning services, waste disposal and treatment and processing services.

Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, US Ecology, Inc. continues to protect the environment from the hazards that production and industrial companies create. It provides a balance in the ecology and promotes a greener and safer world.