Rutter Inc.

Type: Public
On the web: http://www.rutter.ca
Employees: 400
Employee growth: 0.0%

If you own a boat, you need a rudder. If you own a ship, you may need a rutter. Rutter makes voyage data recorders (VDRs) similar to the voice and data recorders or "black boxes" used on commercial airplanes. Large seagoing vessels use VDRs to record radar signal, positioning data, compass heading, and communications data. Rutter takes its name from "rutters," the small books in which sailors log navigational information. The company also sells radar systems and offers custom manufacturing and engineering services. Continuing a strategy of selling off underperforming business segments, Rutter agreed in 2011 to sell its core VDR business to Netwave Systems to pay off some debt and focus on its radar product line.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending August, 2011:
Sales: $33.7M
One year growth: (6.9%)
Net income: $4.8M

Officers:
Chairman: David Beutel
President, CEO, and Director: Fraser H. Edison
CFO: Karen M. Snook

Competitors:
Sperry Marine
Raytheon
Samsung Group