Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with revenues of more than $20 billion and approximately 65,000 employees globally. Their mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Through their premier brands – Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific and Unity Lab Services – Thermo Fisher offer an unmatched combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and comprehensive services.
As one of the largest roofing manufacturers in the nation, TAMKO is committed to creating beautiful, innovative products to help homeowners craft their dream roofs.
Skyworks is empowering the wireless networking revolution. Their highly innovative semiconductors are 
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people in Maryland and nationwide live healthier lives by sim
Wright Manufacturing is an innovative leader in lawn maintenance technology, 
What do you foresee for your business and/or the economy in 2018?
SDF: The Saputo Dairy Foods Frederick plant is expanding manufacturing capabilities to allow for growth with current and new customers.
SKY: Skyworks Solutions sees the continued proliferation of connectivity across the mobile and Internet of Things ecosystems. Our vision of ‘connecting everyone and everything, all the time’ has never been more relevant or exciting.
UHC: The United States healthcare system will continue to evolve during 2018, as employers, health care providers and consumers continue to look for new ways to reduce costs and improve health outcomes. As the nation’s largest health and well-being company serving more than 50 million people, we have a unique opportunity to drive significant enhancements that will improve health care access, quality and affordability for consumers, employers, and taxpayers.
WM: Wright Manufacturing anticipates strong growth as we continue into 2018, and beyond. Our team continues to keep a proactive watch on our market, as well as participate in industry discussions to remain at the forefront of product redesign and innovation.
What would surprise people about your business?
SDF: Saputo manufactures more than 10 million single serve cups of portion controlled non-dairy creamers each day.
SKY: How ubiquitous our solutions are. You will find our products in everything wireless---from smartphones to the connected home and car, wearables as well as industrial, military, aerospace and defense applications.
TAM: TAMKO has been in the building products industry since 1944
TFS: Within the Life Science Business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, we currently have the largest cold chain and ambient distribution center within North America. Our warehouse currently employs 165 distribution employees and we are expecting continued growth in 2018. In addition, we have over 400 employees at the Frederick site and also expect continued growth for 2018. Our business has a strong investment in Innovation for cell culture, providing researchers with the tools and technologies that enable them to harness the power of cells to improve human health. Essentially, we develop and make everything a scientist needs to culture cells in the lab.
UHC: We have taken significant steps to foster health care innovation across our organization, annually investing more than $2.9 billion in data and technology. As a result, we provide our members with digital resources that make it easier and more convenient for them to access care, including the ability to access telehealth services and comparison shop for health care.
WM: Perhaps what many would not realize about Wright Manufacturing is that we design, build, and ship commercial lawn care equipment from our Frederick location to various destinations all over the world. The business is owned and operated by the Wright family who have long been residents of Frederick County.
Why did you choose Frederick County as a business location?
SDF: The Frederick location was chosen because of the customer base and proximity to interstate access and the strong work ethic of the people in Frederick County.
SKY: It provides the opportunity to conduct and expand business at a reasonable cost and with a talented workforce.
TAM: Frederick is our northern and easternmost plant and critical for supplying our customers in the Northeast.
TFS: The close proximity to both Dulles and the Baltimore Harbor allows us to leverage Transportation infrastructure. These areas also provide us access to a critical talent pool to support our IT/Cyber Security, Manufacturing, and R&D business. Our Cybersecurity Center of Excellence is located in Frederick, MD due to its proximity to government entities, defense contractors, and universities that provide an excellent source of candidates and entry level recruits looking to get into the cybersecurity field. We offer a unique experience to such candidates by offering them an opportunity to work for a company that is the world leader in serving science. In addition, Frederick County is continuing to expand within the Biotechnology community and again, has outstanding academic institutions that provide us with access to not only talent but important research collaboration opportunities as well.
UHC: UnitedHealthcare is not only a leading insurer in Frederick County we’re also one of the largest employers. We employ approximately 750 people at our Oak Street facility off Route 15, which continues to grow. These employees process claims, respond to members’ calls, perform important fraud investigations, and provide clinical oversight. More than 3,600 employees live and work in Maryland, and the company contributed more than $1,000,000 last year to philanthropic activities in the state. Our workforce worldwide includes more than 260,000 employees, including 30,000 physicians and nurses on staff.
WM: Choosing Frederick was the result of the desire for a solid location, future growth potential, business community support and workforce availability, and ease of doing business.
What is keeping your business in Frederick County?
SDF: The people and strong ties to the community are a large part of what keeps Saputo in Frederick County. As we continue to grow we anticipate our employment needs will be fulfilled with a strong work force, and commitment to succeed that has been evident in the past in Frederick.
SKY: Skyworks Solutions is able to access a skilled workforce in a beautiful rural setting.
TAM: A strong workforce and an ideal location for serving our customers.
WM: Our choice to remain in Frederick County is equally attributable to the reasons we chose this area to expand the business. This area continues to grow and develop in fantastic ways and Wright Manufacturing has a strong desire to remain part of that future.
What awards or accolades do you want to brag about?
SDF: The Frederick plant recently surpassed one million hours without a lost time work accident in just under 5 years.
SKY: We were named to Forbes 2017 list of America's Top Public Companies and Fortune’s list of 100 Fastest Growing Companies.
TAM: TAMKO recently donated $100,000 to assist those impacted by Hurricane Harvey and another $100,000 to assist with recovery in Puerto Rico.
UHC: Real Appeal is the science-based, award winning weight loss program offered by UnitedHealthcare in Maryland. More than 1 million pounds, and counting, have been collectively lost by program participants nationwide, including here in Frederick County.We were named the No. 1 company in the insurance and managed care sector on Fortune’s 2017 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and ranked No. 1 in our sector for the seventh consecutive year.
WM: We’ve received many awards over the years, from various entities. What is most important to mention, or brag about, is that our continued receipt of recognition would not be possible without our amazing team! Their collective effort every day to continuously drive operations towards strategic goals and objectives is a large part of the company’s success!
About Frederick’s Top 50
Frederick’s Top 50 for 2018 marks an inaugural list of businesses who have the largest potential to contribute to Frederick County’s vibrant economy. The metrics-driven list was created by OED with assistance from Hood College, using research from InfoUSA, tax records, CoStar and internal data collection. Data was analyzed using a weighted scoring system in the following areas: Number of Employees in Frederick County, Annual Property Taxes Paid, Square Footage Occupied in Frederick County, Location Sales Volume and Year Established.