Big movers

Several companies on the NJBIZ top 250 companies list deserve extra attention.

Jersey City-based Imperial Dade is one. Moving up one spot from last year to No. 9, the independently owned and operated distributor of foodservice packaging, facilities maintenance supplies and equipment in the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean posted a 20 percent increase in revenue. Chief Executive Officer Robert Tillis was recently recognized as one of NJBIZ’s 2020 Icon award winners. And in April 2020, the company signed a 28,756-square-foot, long-term lease at West Side Center in North Bergen where it plans to move its headquarters to before the end of 2020. The seventh floor of the 300,000-square-foot, Class A office asset, will house Imperial Dade’s executive team as well as operations including finance, human resources and customer service. The firm’s current Jersey City facility will serve as its largest distribution center.

Imperial Dade has also been at the forefront of the national response to COVID-19 virus. “Maintaining the supply chain is critical,” said Imperial Dade Chief Information Officer Zach Plevritis. “When our factories in China shut down due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it resulted in significant shortages. Those factories are shipping now and we’ve ordered dozens of containers of gloves and masks and hospital supplies. We’re working to fill backorders while prioritizing critical care services to make sure they have what they need.”

The biggest mover in the top 20 is Aurobindo Pharma USA with U.S. corporate headquarters in East Windsor. The pharma manufacturer jumped six spots to No. 11 from its 2019 showing with a 24 percent increase in revenue. The company’s India operations recently made headlines for joining the race to create a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Our vaccine candidate underwent an evaluation by BIRAC [India’s Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council]. BIRAC has evaluated our platform extensively and we have been informed that our vaccine has been shortlisted by BIRAC for funding initial development up to conducting the Phase I/II trial in India,” the company said in its annual report for financial year 2019-20.

Tinton Falls-based World Insurance Associates is ranked No. 89—its first appearance after recording a 74 percent increase in revenue. The company made 18 acquisitions in 2019 and has been on buying spree of late. Some of the company’s most recent deals involve firms based in White Plains and Armonk in N.Y., Virginia, Indiana, New Jersey and Rhode Island. It has more than 53 offices in 13 states and Washington, D.C.

At No. 91 on the Top 250 is Trenton-based TerraCycle, which moved up 26 spots from No. 117 last year.

Most recently, the specialty recycling firm launched what it calls an easy-to-use recycling solution for personal protective equipment, such as single-use gloves and masks, through its line of EasyPak Containers. “Designed as a recycling system for businesses in need of a turnkey solution for hazardous waste disposal, the PPE EasyPack Containers allow property managers to easily recycle used gloves and masks on-site, thereby allowing staff to responsibly dispose of their protective gear instead of tossing items on the ground,” the company said. Revenue for the Trenton-based company increased 59 percent last year.