The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship today honored HydroHoist from Oklahoma as the Small Business of the Day for National Small Business Week. This business, which was nominated by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), will be recognized in the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate.

“Small businesses play an integral role in Oklahoma’s economy. In fact, over 52% of all employees in Oklahoma work for small businesses and 84 percent of all exports from Oklahoma are products of small business as well,” Senator Inhofe said. “This year as part of Small Business Week I am honored to recognize HydroHoist, one of more than 336,000 small businesses in Oklahoma. For over 53 years, HydroHoist has been a leader and innovator in the market for boat lifts, personal watercraft (PWC) ports and boat protection packages. HydroHoist launched half-a-century ago by an Oklahoma marina owner in Grand Lake and has since gone on to reach an international business market. With four distribution warehouses and over 600 dealers worldwide, its American-made technology has revolutionized the boating industry. Small businesses are the backbone of America and I am very proud to have an exceptional example of entrepreneurship in Oklahoma.” 

According to the business' website, HydroHoist received the first patent for a hydro-pneumatic boat lift in 1964. The company was launched at Hi-Lift Marina on Grand Lake. The HydroHoist was a quick, economical system that displaced the water by air and formed a free-floating lift. Once word of the invention became known, demand from boat owners increased, first in northeastern Oklahoma, and then throughout the Midwest. By 1971 the company moved to a plant in Claremore, OK, where the corporate office still remains today. HydroHoist Marine Group has 75 employees and does business worldwide. The company exports products to 23 countries and has an international distributor and dealer network in more than 18 countries.

"Congratulations to HydroHoist for receiving this recognition," said Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. "Our nation relies on its 28 million small business owners to keep our economy moving forward, and I'm glad we can highlight their individual and collective achievements this week."

For over 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from all 50 states and U.S. territories. As chairman, Risch honors America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Senate regularly.

###