| When NASCAR Truck Series driver Dennis | | | | Randy Corbitt to head up sales. |
| Setzer won the Ohio 250 in May, the | | | | "He was a major impact on marketing and |
| trophy next to him represented not only | | | | sales and getting the word out there, " |
| his win but also a milestone for Trophy | | | | says Bumgartner. |
| Awards Manufacturing Inc., the company | | | | Like the bulk of their business - local |
| that designed and built the award. | | | | schools and youth leagues - the firm's |
| The race was delayed by rain for several | | | | high-profile business comes from |
| hours, and victory-lane celebrations | | | | word-of-mouth marketing. |
| weren't broadcast, but "it was still an | | | | Trophy Awards manufactured some awards |
| exciting project for our staff to | | | | for the Bengals that led to other NFL |
| develop an award seen in the national | | | | work. |
| spotlight," said Thomas Busch, the | | | | "When Emmitt Smith broke the all-time |
| firm's president. | | | | rushing record, someone who then worked |
| The company also got some great feedback | | | | for the Cowboys remembered what we did |
| from its client. | | | | for the Bengals" said Busch. "They |
| "I have worked in the motor sports field | | | | called the Bengals and asked them who |
| for the past 12 years, and this is the | | | | they used. Before long, Trophy Awards |
| best trophy I have ever seen," said Bill | | | | was creating plaques for the Dallas |
| Conn, general manager of operations for | | | | Cowboys coaches, linemen and Emmitt |
| Mansfield Motorsports Park, which hosted | | | | Smith." |
| the Ohio 250 on May 26. | | | | Mansfield Motorsports, however, |
| The company wasn't getting such good | | | | discovered them on the Internet. |
| reviews when Busch's parents - Bob and | | | | "I told them I had no clue what I |
| Nancy Busch- bought the firm in 1984. | | | | wanted, and as we talked we came up with |
| "The company had a bad reputation with | | | | a sketch and faxed it to him, and his |
| its customers and its vendors," said | | | | team ran with the ideas," said Conn. |
| Busch. "Mom and Dad changed that | | | | "We had to use material that could be |
| quickly by running a company | | | | custom-fabricated in a short amount of |
| that….provides an exceptional value." | | | | time," said Busch. "So the base, riser |
| At that time, the company had just one | | | | and Ohio shape are solid North American |
| other employee and annual sales under | | | | walnut. They were cut, stained, and |
| $100,000. In 2000, Busch, his sister | | | | assembled in about three days. Then we |
| Jennifer and her husband, Jason | | | | had the Mansfield logo (routed and cut) |
| Bumgartner, bought the controlling | | | | out of colored acrylics and stacked to |
| interest in the company. Now with 25 | | | | give a 3-D effect. The bottom place is |
| employees, their projected 2007 revenue | | | | a laser-engraved plate that we curved |
| is $3 million. | | | | and attached to the base." |
| "My in-laws established a good | | | | Conn said the company's speed and design |
| reputation for 15 years, and then young | | | | paid off. |
| blood took over," said Bumgartner, whose | | | | "When NASCAR officials arrived, we |
| background is in computer design. "I | | | | showed them the trophies, and they |
| was able to bring some product | | | | wanted to show everyone at the drivers' |
| innovation and new ways of doing | | | | meeting what they were competing for," |
| things." | | | | the track official said. "This has |
| At the same time, the firm brought in | | | | never been done before at a NASCAR race. |