The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced that Warwick-based Jade Manufacturing Company Inc. has been selected as the 2018 Small Business of the Year.

Jade Manufacturing, which specializes in the manufacturing of complex pieces of work for high-profile defense companies (primarily Raytheon) to assist in the building and implementation of integrated defense systems utilized by the United States military, was nominated for the award by Congressman Jim Langevin, who visited the facility in October of 2017.

“Throughout Jade Manufacturing’s history, we’ve striven to be responsible citizens and a valuable contributor to Rhode Island’s business community,” said Jade Manufacturing President Don Boyle. “For decades, Jade has manufactured products which are deployed around the world to defend our nation. We believe manufacturing products for the defense of our warfighters is a noble effort and we’re committed to their support.”

Products manufactured by Jade have been a part of military implementations including the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System and Tomahawk missiles, as well as the USS Zumwault guided missile destroyer battleship. Jade products were also part of the “MOAB” – the “Mother of All Bombs,” the largest non-nuclear explosive ordinance ever successfully delivered – which was deployed by the U.S. Air Force in Afghanistan last year in the fight against the Islamic extremist group ISIL.

Boyle reported during the October visit that Jade had doubled their sales in the last five years from $1.5 million to $3 million – 90 percent of which comes through their largest client, Raytheon. They have received awards from Raytheon for the quality of their products in five of the last 10 years, one of only 36 companies in Raytheon’s more than 3,500 supplier companies to do so.

The company moved from a smaller location in Warwick to their current headquarters in Apponaug – which was formerly the headquarters of the Warwick Beacon – in 2014. Boyle said that the move, along with strategic partnerships within the state, has allowed for the expansion of the company and its mission, and that the award is a much appreciated recognition of their high expectations.

“2017 was a watershed year for Jade,” Boyle said. “Having settled into our new 10,000 square foot facility allowed for increases in both our workforce and our capabilities. New opportunities arose from our collaboration with Polaris MEP, the Chaffee Center and Tribal Vision. Jade will aggressively pursue those opportunities in the coming years with anticipation of continued sales growth and workforce expansion. The pinnacle of 2017 was a visit to Jade Manufacturing by Congressman Jim Langevin, and being nominated by him for this prestigious SBA award.”

Jade will be invited to attend the Rhode Island Small Business Awards ceremony held on May 11 at the Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln.

“I would like to congratulate Donald Boyle on his selection as the Rhode Island Small Business Manufacturer of the Year," said Mark S. Hayward, SBA Rhode Island District Director. “Jade is a leader in Rhode Island manufacturing and is truly a beacon for what this state’s small business community is capable of achieving.”

Boyle reiterated his excitement about the award, and said that Jade will continue its work to ensure that the booming military defense industry will continue to be supplied, in part, through work done right here in Warwick.

“When our stuff ships out of here it goes to the war fighter, so we feel it's important to make sure everything is working right,” he said. “Our mission is to continue supporting U.S. war fighters on land, sea and air with the highest quality products possible as they continue to defend our nation.”