Recession spurs invention for prototype manufacturer

LONGMONT – After two years of declining revenue, RapidPro Manufacturing in Longmont believes things are starting to turn around after making some fundamental adjustments in how it conducts business.

RapidPro’s annual revenue in 2005 had reached almost $3 million, almost double what it was in 2001 when president and chief executive Ron Angstead took over. Angstead said the company experienced a downturn in 2007 and 2008 because of the recession, and annual revenue dipped below $2 million.

Despite the drop, Angstead expects 2009 to be a good year for the company that specializes in product design, engineering and prototyping for inventors…