IRON MOUNTAIN-BASED ORION Hunting Products has been chosen to receive a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award. From left are Mark Wieland, Cole Welch, Joel Taylor, Brandon TeBeest, Tyler Havens, Noah Jacko, Matt DeMars, Grant Nicholls, Kyle Bottesi and Beau Anderson, company president. Not shown are Sam Walechka, Elina Berndt, Dave Brule II and Chris Havens. (Photo provided by Orion Hunting Products)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Orion Hunting Products has been selected for the 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Orion will be acknowledged on stage at the in-person awards ceremony during the 18th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 3. The event will draw more than 800 guests at the Breslin Center in East Lansing to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients.

“I’m so proud of our team, as we have had to start up and grow through some of the most challenging economic conditions imaginable,” said Beau Anderson, president of the Iron Mountain-based company. “To be recognized at a state level and to be only one of two businesses in the entire U.P. is something to be proud of.”

Orion manufactures patented modular hunting blinds and elevated towers. They have quickly grown from a local company to having their products distributed nationwide.

Anderson added, “I would personally like to thank all of our team members for their perseverance and a special thanks to my partner, Dave Brule II, and his spouse, Stephanie, for their continue support and guidance. Without them, none of this would be possible”

Orion Hunting Products is at 2236 Pewabic St. in Iron Mountain. More information on its products can be found on the company’s website at www.huntorion.com or on social media at “Orion Hunting Products.”

Nominees for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award must be second-stage companies, defined as having six to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. Additionally, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.

“MCSB has always prided itself on its spirit of collaboration and celebration,” said Jennifer Deamud, MCSB board chair. “We love seeing our awardees celebrating one another’s success and sharing in this amazing moment is each awardee’s journey. It’s true– success is best when it is shared.”

Judges from economic and entrepreneurship development organizations annually select the winners. The judges evaluate the nominees’ demonstration of intent and capacity to grow based on:

— Employee or sales growth;

— Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership;

— Sustainable competitive advantage;

— Other notable factors that showcase the company’s success.

Michigan Celebrates annually receives more than 550 nominations for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award. In addition to a competitive landscape for this award, businesses that are selected by the judges go through a rigorous due diligence process before the final decision.

For more information, go to MichiganCelebrates.org.

Michigan Celebrates Small Business is a collaboration of statewide founding organizations that offer resources for small businesses.