Orexigen Therapeutics: Fighting Obesity

Obesity is a disease and is a health epidemic that is threatening the life of millions of people around the world. Obese people are more susceptible to having diabetes and heart problems. Several other critical illnesses are also linked to obesity.

Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses its resources in the creation of treatment for obesity. The company has been around since 2002 and was created by Eckard Weber. In 2014, their flagship product, the Contrave has been given approval to be marketed in the United States. By partnering with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the company has penetrated the markets of Mexico and Canada and is now poised to penetrate the other international markets.

Orexigen is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ. Its common stocks are marketed under the ticker symbol OREX. The business remains to be a component of the Russell 3000 Index and is headquartered in La Jolla, California.

Opower: Conserving Energy, Saving Money

Technology continues to change the way we live. Utility companies across the United States even make use of these technological platforms to continue on making a difference in the experience they provide to their customers. One of the trusted sources of these technology platforms is Opower. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Arlington County, Virginia, the business provides cloud-based software to the utility industry.

The software that Opower provides to their clients do not just change the way they deal with their customers, it also promotes the reduction of their energy consumption. 28 out of the 50 largest utilities in the country make use of the platforms offered by Opower. With these platforms, utility companies are able to minimize their carbon emissions, while taking part in the transformation of household energy conservation. The operations of the company are no longer constricted within the United States as they have started penetrating the international markets. Currently, the business operates in 9 countries and reaches more than 50 million households in these nations.

Opower holds one of the largest energy datasets in the world. Through this technology, the company is able to help save more than 5 billion kilowatt hours of energy which translates to more than $575 million in utility bills. With the amount of energy saved, the business is also able to prevent the production of more than 7 billion pounds of carbon dioxide. By partnering with more than 95 utility companies across the globe, Opower is also able to help promote the value of conserving energy to their end users.

Employing more than 560 associates, the company has more than $65.7 million in venture capital. It continues to trade publicly on the New York Stock Exchange, using the symbol OPWR. Some of the largest customers they deal with include Southern California Edison, National Grid, Duke, Commonwealth Edison, PG&E and the First Energy.

Nautilus, Inc.: Manufacturer of Exercise and Fitness Equipment

You would likely find in any gym and fitness centers around the world a product or two that are manufactured by Nautilus, Inc. Starting out with a revolutionary strength machine, the business has evolved into a company that provides the world with exercise equipment and exercise apparel.

Nautilus is a Vancouver, Washington-based company that markets its products globally. Annually, the company generates more than $680.3 million in revenue. While the business was formed in 1986, its experience and expertise in the exercise and fitness industry cover more than 30 years. Several products are produced by the company and these offerings are marketed under the brand names Universal, Nautilus, Bowflex and Schwinn Fitness.

The first machine marketed by Nautilus was the invention of Arthur Jones. The product was named Nautilus and uses a logarithmic-spiral cam similar to the mollusc, nautilus. The majority of gym and exercise equipment are patterned after this product after the company’s patent expired.

Norcraft Companies, Inc.: The Trusted Cabinet Maker

Cabinets play a vital role in how our houses would look like. The kitchen and the bathroom are just two of the areas in our households that require the presence of these fixtures. It is in the cabinet that we store our utensils, our toiletries, towels and other home essentials. In the United States, one of the trusted manufacturers of these bathroom and kitchen cabinets is Norcraft Companies, Inc.

For close to 55 years, the company has provided the United States and Canada the cabinets they need for their bathrooms and kitchens. Their products are mostly marketed to home builders, wholesale retailers, cabinetry dealers and to those companies that thrive in the industry of remodeling, new home construction and repair. In addition, they also supply their products to home centers, contractors and home builders. There is also one Kitchens 2 Go retail store that the business operates in addition to their four kitchen and bath ideas retail stores. The company’s product portfolio includes semi-custom cabinets, stock cabinets, door and finish combinations. Although the business was founded in 1966, the core business has been operating and producing quality products for more than 110 years.

Norcraft Companies produce top of the class products that come with personalized support to meet the demands of their customers. These items are marketed under the brand names StarMark Cabinetry, UltraCraft Cabinetry, Urban Effects Cabinetry, Mid Continent Cabinetry, Fieldstone Cabinetry and Norcraft Cabinetry. Regardless of the brand name of the purchased item, every customer is assured that what they bought comes with the signature of quality.

The business started out as Marshall Millworks, Inc. before adopting its current brand name. Norcraft continues to hold its headquarters in Eagan, Minnesota and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, using the symbol NCFT. As of, Norcraft Companies continue to function as a subsidiary of Norcraft Intermediate Holdings, L.P.

MedAssets, Inc.: Delivering Value and Innovation to the Healthcare Industry

The 15 offices of MedAssets, Inc. are located in the states of California, Colorado, Georgia, Texas and in Washington. The business continues to hold its headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. It is registered as a healthcare performance improvement company and trades publicly on the NASDAQ (MDAS).

Thriving in the industry of health care technology, the business provides its products and services to more than 4,400 hospitals and an additional 122,000 non-acute healthcare providers across the country. Four out of five hospitals in the country have trusted the services provided by MedAssets, Inc. to improve their sustainability and better improve the community. Its services include revenue cycle solutions, purchasing, cost and clinical resource management; data and analytics tools; embedded management and process improvement services and change management consulting.

For 15 years, MedAssets has been delivering innovation and value to the entirety of the healthcare industry. Its operation is powered by more than 3,200 employees.

Maxwell Technologies: The Global Leader in Energy Storag and Power Delivery Solutions

The energy storage and power delivery solutions that are offered by Maxwell Technologies are categorized as energy-efficient and cost-effective products. These items are also environmentally-conscious and challenges the current products offered in the market. For more than 50 years the company has led the development of various products and solutions used in storing energy and delivering power.

Founded in 1965, Maxwell Technologies is now headquartered in San Diego, California and continues to develop and manufacture energy storage and power delivery solutions used in heavy transportation, backup power, wireless communication, renewable energy, industrial, consumer electronics, aeronautics, satellite and automotive applications. These products are marketed around the world and are manufactured from their facilities in Asia, Europe and in the United States. The principal hubs of the business are located in California and in Arizona. Operations in Asia are in China and in South Korea, while their European business arms are located in Germany and in Switzerland.

The products offered by the company are best known for their failure-free performance throughout the entire lifespan of the most demanding applications. By continuously listening and understanding the needs of their customers, they are able to create tailor-fit solutions that exceed the expectations of their clients. The success of the business is anchored on the solutions they offer that underscore extraordinary application engineering, reliability, superior performance and value.

The product portfolio of the business is categorized into three: ultracapacitors, microelectronics and high voltage. These offerings have stood out as leaders in the markets they compete in. These products are highly advanced compared to other competing brands. Through the research and development division of the company, they continue to innovate and improve these products to better serve its purpose.

Maxwell Technologies is a publicly traded company on the NASDAQ, under the symbol MXWL. It is a component of the Russell 3000 Index.