2005 SBA AWARDS: Small Business Excellence Award Winners: Cicero Hoist and Dock, Inc.

CICERO HOIST AND DOCK, INC.

Owner: William Mann

Headquarters: Cicero

Established: 1974

Type of Business: Waterfront products

Selected By: Solvay Bank

Financing: 2004 SBA loan of $135,000 to purchase business and working capital

Business Profile: John August, a welder and boater, started Cicero Hoist and Dock as Cicero Iron Works in 1974. For many years, Cicero Iron Works manufactured all of its own boatlifts and docks out of galvanized steel. About 12 years ago, Cicero Iron Works changed its name to Cicero Hoist and Dock and began to manufacture aluminum boatlifts and docks. William Mann purchased Cicero Hoist and Dock after the passing of John August in 2000. Since Cicero Hoist and Dock began selling a line of aluminum boat lifts and docks manufactured by Hewitt Machine and Manufacturing, its spring orders have increased from five docks and 10 lifts to over $400,000 in boatlifts and docks. In addition to the Hewitt product line, Cicero Hoist and Dock offers Tommy Docks of Wisconsin, Roll-N-Go of Minnesota, Commander Products, and Perm Dock, Inc.

The company employs six staff and runs two crews all season to help customers with waterfront-product installations, repairs, and removals.

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