DI Labs

Headquarters: Willmar

Inception: 2013

Family members in the business: 3

Employees: 20 

Brothers Carl and Brian Douglas launched this engineering and industrial 3D-printing company to help client companies develop and manufacture new products and components. It now serves numerous industries nationwide, with a focus on medtech. DI Labs “finishes” 3D-printed products using techniques including multi-jet fusion, direct multi-laser sintering, and vapor smoothing. About 80% of DI Labs’ work is full-scale production for clients; the company also develops and manufactures its own consumer products. Outside of 2021-2022, DI Labs has consistently increased its revenue year over year by 50% to 100%.

Pine Bend Paving

Headquarters: Hastings

Inception: 1973

Family members in the business: 4

Employees: 50 

Lyle Jacoby began his company focused on street paving. As his sons became more involved in Pine Bend Paving’s management—Joe is president; Rich is vice president— they shifted most of its work to commercial and industrial projects. Pine Bend Paving produces its own asphalt and aggregates, which helps it ensure quality control and makes it easier for the company to schedule jobs, since it’s not dependent on third-party suppliers. These capabilities have helped keep this family-run paving business growing in an industry dominated by consolidation and massive competitors.

Signature Concepts

Headquarters: Minnetonka

Inception: 1989

Family members in the business: 4

Employees: 300 

The Leafblad family’s company began as a manager of the University of Minnesota’s merchandising program. It has since grown to become a custom apparel and branded merchandise provider for hundreds of Minnesota-based corporations, retail stores, teams, athletic associations, and resorts. Operating its own embroidery and screen-printing production operations, Signature Concepts has built a customer list that includes Dairy Queen, Holiday
Stationstores, Life Time Fitness, the St. Paul Saints, and the Minnesota State Fair.

Stinson Electric

Headquarters: New Brighton

Inception: 2008

Family members in the business: 4

Employees: 50 

After being laid off from an executive-level position during the Great Recession, Paul Archambault returned to his career beginnings and started his own commercial and industrial electrical contracting company. In addition to repair and installation work, Stinson Electric designs and builds electrical systems for new and existing commercial, religious, educational, medical, retail, and industrial buildings. Typical projects include office build-outs, auto dealerships, medical clinics, financial institutions, and manufacturing plants. Thanks to its capabilities and the quality of its work, the company’s business has nearly tripled over the last six years.

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