XMA Corporation
A Vested for Growth Business Champion
PRESIDENT AND CEO, MARC E. SMITH
“People use our products every day, but most users never truly understand how important XMA products are until they lose cell service or their airplane can’t take off. It’s a market that’s important to everyone, but not at the forefront of people’s minds.”
That’s XMA Corporation’s President and CEO, Marc E. Smith, talking about RF, or radio frequency, technology. It’s ubiquitous, used in radar systems and aircraft, in satellites, in cellular networks and in any process in which voice or data is transmitted through air.
For example, most wireless phone calls start within a building, but the building’s structure can lower the quality of phone service. “As an example, you don’t lose your cellular service in Boston Garden. But you would if the Garden didn’t have the equipment supported by XMA,” he says.
In 2003, Smith says, XMA was created to build on the legacy of RF and microwave technology once produced by Omni Spectra, a worldwide leader in millimeter and microwave technology. The plan was to develop products that would support advancements in wireless, defense and space applications.
Privately held and headquartered in Manchester, XMA employs 28 and has a support facility in Tianjin, China. Last year’s revenues reached $4 million. Many of the company’s clients are also based in New Hampshire and supply high-tech components to defense, medical and telecommunications industries. For example, XMA supplies defense contractor BAE Systems in Nashua.
“I think that’s important, since a key component in our state is developing new, advanced technology,” says Smith, who serves on the board of the N.H. High Technology Council. “Companies that innovate in New Hampshire fortunately can also sell their products here and be part of the technology environment within the state.”
XMA’s corporate culture is a high priority, says Smith. “We want our employees to be number one. We want to make sure it’s a great working environment.” To that end, employees are encouraged to get involved in their communities by volunteering for local nonprofits.
“Part of the reason we appreciate working with Vested for Growth is because they understand a strong company culture is the foundation for growth,” says Smith. “They bring a lot of expertise on the financing side, but they also take a holistic approach to working with our company.”
XMA has grown in the past two years as it rolled out products for the 5G cellular markets; advanced radar systems for weather forecasting and for the commercial, communications and defense satellite industries; and various tools used in medical applications.
But high-tech competition remains fierce, says Smith.
“You must remain on the cutting edge. You have to invest in your people and invest in your company to maintain that technical advantage. That means sometimes being a pioneer in the industry, and developing new technology that drives the industry; not just supporting the industry, but being an innovator.”
Vested for Growth: Creating business opportunity through innovative financing. Vested for Growth offers up to $1 million in risk-tolerant capital to fuel expansion of high-growing, high-margin companies. www.VestedforGrowth.com
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