ZAP Listed in Industry Week's 25 Growing Companies
5 December 2000
ZAP Listed in Industry Week's 25 Growing Companies
SEBASTOPOL, Calif.--Dec. 5, 2000--The new issue of Industry Week Magazine includes Northern California electric vehicle manufacturer ZAPWORLD.COM in a special feature profiling 25 growing companies that represent "cutting-edge best practices and the diversified strength of small and mid-sized manufacturers."Entitled "Good Things Come in Growing Packages," the Industry Week Growing Companies 25 is a diverse group of firms that make products of value benefiting all types of industries, markets, and consumers. While these companies may be considered small to mid-sized, they are growing, expanding operations. Many are adding new product lines, recruiting talented employees and executives, raising capital, and almost all are utilizing the Internet to help accelerate their growth.
According to Industry Week, while the 25 manufacturers make a diverse array of products, they have one common denominator -- "dynamic executives who are deeply committed to manufacturing quality products, intelligent marketing methods, exceptional customer service, and employee empowerment." ZAP CEO Gary Starr, who had his first electric auto 25 years ago while attending college, has been widely recognized for his marketing prowess and his commitment to the environment and electric transportation. Earlier this year, Advertising Age magazine recently highlighted Starr's marketing talents when it put him on the list of the "Ad Age Marketing 100."
"Analysts say you haven't seen widespread use of electric vehicles because the technology is not evolved enough. Our management believes that's false. The key is to have the right vehicles at the right price and the public will respond," said Starr.
Starr added that the company is experiencing record revenues. Yesterday, ZAP reported that November 2000 sales hit $1.65 million, up 152% from $654,000 a year ago. Revenues of $3,948,000 were recorded for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 ending September 30, compared to $1,767,000 in the prior year, an increase of $2,181,000 or 123%.
Industry Week chronicles ZAP's marketing push in collaboration with a "surprising range" of partners to help increase awareness of electric vehicles, names that include Saks Fifth Avenue, Smith & Wesson and Old Navy Clothing. The company has also capitalized on the Internet revolution to help reach out to global markets. In 1996, ZAP even went public via an innovative Direct Public Offering on its website.