US Senator and Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship chairman Marco Rubio has named Hog Technologies as the US Senate Small Business of the Week.
“Hog (Technologies) has grown significantly since its humble beginnings when founder James P. Crocker bought a single power washer from a friend and began knocking on doors to find work,” Rubio said in a video message announcing the award.
“Since then, Hog Technologies has been a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial success.”
In 1988, founder and president Crocker started a simple pressure-washing and painting business. Today, his Hog Technologies is the global leader in manufacturing water-blasting equipment that contributes significantly to public safety by removing markings from roadways and rubber buildup from airport runways. With its technologies and machinery operating in more than 50 countries around the world, the company also holds 20 patents.
Recently breaking ground on a 65,000ft² expansion to a facility that will soon exceed 100,000ft², Crocker – who was named the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year – plans to grow his current roster of 150 team members to as many as 265 over the next three to five years.
Using needle-sharp waterjets traveling at supersonic speeds to restore friction to runways and obliterate rubber built up from airplane touchdown zones, Hog Technologies promote safety on highways by removing the white and yellow lines in work zones without damaging the concrete or asphalt surfaces.
Often called ‘Zamboni for Runways’, Hog Technologies’ innovations were featured on a recent episode of the Science Channel’s “How It’s Made.”
Crocker, who credits his company’s success to his faith in God and the ‘amazing talent’ of his team, embraces the virtue of helping others and also wrote several acclaimed children’s books that seek to instill the importance of adopting honorable values, work ethic and entrepreneurship at an early age.
“Enabling people to grow and build better futures for themselves and for their families, as well as reinvesting to build our community, these are the most important building projects we will celebrate,” says Crocker.
“And it is a truly tremendous privilege to have a leader of the calibre and character of Senator Rubio recognise our efforts. We couldn’t be more grateful.”
Rubio recognised this philanthropic spirit as well.
“In addition to supporting the local Stuart community, Hog Technologies has financed much of the construction of a home for underprivileged children in India,” he said.
“James and the entire team at Hog Technologies are an outstanding example of Florida innovation, and I am proud to honor them as the Senate Small Business of the Week.”
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.
