BioPro Honored as One of “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan”

Port Huron, April 29, 2005 – BioPro, Inc has been recognized as one of the “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan,” a new awards program sponsored by the Edward Lowe Foundation. They are one of 50 companies selected out  of 2000 applications sent out by 600 nominating organizations.

BioPro received the honor at an awards ceremony during the first annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business event, April 28 in East Lansing.

Winners were selected by the Michigan Celebrates Small Business event partners: the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the U.S. Small Business Administration-Michigan and the Edward Lowe Foundation, based in part on  the winners demonstrated intent and capacity to grow based on one or more of the following:

• Employee or sales growth.
• Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership.
• Sustainable competitive advantage.
• Other notable factors that showcase the company's success.

BioPro is dedicated to the design, manufacture, and distribution of assorted orthopedic implants and surgical devices. Established in 1987 in Port Huron, Michigan, BioPro has been guided by the design principles of its founder, Charles O. Townley, MD. Biologically Oriented Prosthetics by BioPro offer the latest in total joint replacements for the hip, knee, shoulder, toe, thumb, and elbow.

BioPro is now well positioned for the future with several patented products for the lower and upper extremities. “We are ready to serve a niche market that has been underserved, and we are positioned to see significant growth in the future,” says BioPro President and CEO, Patrick E. Pringle.

Companies nominated to be members of the “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” list must be second-stage companies, defined as employing 7 to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in gross annual sales. In addition, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.

"50 Companies to Watch in Michigan is a unique awards program designed to shine the spotlight on second-stage companies,” says Edward Lowe Foundation Executive Director Mark Lange. The Edward Lowe Foundation is a not-for-profit operating foundation based in Michigan. Its mission is to “champion the entrepreneurial spirit” by helping second-stage entrepreneurs learn from each other.

“Startup companies and large corporations often garner attention for their achievements,” says Lange. “But growing second-stage enterprises work mostly behind the scenes, even though they generate the bulk of new, sustainable jobs and are a powerful economic force underpinning the high quality of life most Americans enjoy.”

For more information on BioPro, Inc please visit www.bioproimplants.com or call (810) 982-7777.

For more information on the “50 Companies to Watch in Michigan” awards program please visit www.michigancelebrates.biz or call (800) 362-5461.