Impex International Inc.

Address: 7114 Innovation Blvd.

At a glance: Impex International distributes mechanical products to customers in the automotive and aerospace industries, feeding parts according to assembly schedules. The coordinated distribution keeps suppliers and assembly plants from having to warehouse parts. Impex also helps customers find manufacturers to make newly designed parts and does quality control inspections on all parts it handles.

The company’s value-added services include purchasing, materials planning, export documentation, transportation and customs clearance. Special services include wire shaving, precision drilling, sorting, bagging and assembly.

Employees: Five

Annual revenue: Not disclosed

When was the company founded: 1985

Biggest accomplishment in the past 12 months: Impex achieved the highest quality standard given to companies of its kind. The distributor, which works with about 200 suppliers and more than 100 customers, achieved 100 percent on-time delivery with zero percent rejection for defective parts. The company handles – and does quality inspections on – about 3,000 different parts.

What was your biggest mistake so far in operating this business: Although the company ships daily to various customers, including one in Connecticut, it hasn’t landed any local ones, said Nagin “Nick” Shah, Impex founder and owner. Shah has tried to develop relationships with local contractors and doesn’t know why he’s failed.

What are the key challenges facing your business or industry: “It’s always to recruit the right people, train them and make them part of the team,” said Shah, whose workforce doesn’t include family members. “My challenge is to constantly motivate them.”

What is your strategy for staying ahead of your competition: Shah tries to keep the company proactive. It is now going through the qualification process to be classified a “gold” supplier by United Technologies Corp., a customer. “We want to stay ahead of the competition always,” Shah said.

What resources have you found most helpful in running a business: Customers have been an effective resource by referring potential clients to the company.

What are your growth projections for the next five years: 5 percent to 7 percent revenue growth each year.

What is one thing about your business that people might not be aware of: “We are in the forefront of green technology,” Shah said. The executive recently modified the building’s lighting to conserve energy. The company also recycles and reuses paper, cardboard and other materials. All employees participate in the environmentally friendly efforts.

If you weren’t running this business, what would you be doing: “I could be a good teacher, I guess, or mentor to small businesses,” Shah said. He has mentored small-business owners in the past when they’ve been referred to him by state agencies or SCORE, the Service Corps of Retired Executives.