Honored
Leader: Colin Angle, CEO
Company Name: iRobot, Corp.
Location: Burlington, Mass.
Nature of Business: Robotics manufacturer
Founded: 1990
Revenue: $90 million
Growth Rate (2004): 62 percent
Number of Employees: 160
Average Tenure: 2 years
iRobot Corp. is a 15-year-old manufacturer of robotics. While the company's
business is machines, under the leadership of CEO Colin Angle, the organization
has shown it understands the value of talented human capital. iRobot is
a place where innovation, purpose, and passion are abundant. The firm has
worked to create a culture of cooperation, integrity, and openness: employees
have the opportunity to review their bosses and anyone can suggest a new
product. In fact, Roomba, a robotic floor vacuum and the company's most
popular product, was the result of an employee suggestion. Near employees'
cubicles is a common area with couches, encouraging employees to converse
freely when needing help, encouragement, and inspiration. After years of
struggling to find a product that would take hold, the firm has recently
enjoyed a high-growth period that saw them go from just under $15 million
in sales and 100 employees in 2002, to more than $90 million in sales and
160 employees in 2004.
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