Market leadership gives them an edge

Article Excerpt

These four small-cap Manufacturing & Industry picks are riskier than most of our large-cap selections in that sector. However, they’re all market leaders with strong reputations, which makes it harder for new competitors to steal their customers. Moreover, all four are using their strong balance sheets to invest in new products and make acquisitions. That will keep them ahead of the competition. Still, not all are buys right now. TENNANT CO. $63 (New York symbol TNC; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 18.5 million; Market cap: $1.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.6; Dividend yield: 1.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.tennantco.com) makes industrial floor-cleaning equipment, including scrubbers, sweepers and polishers. It also manufactures cleaning gear for garages, stadiums, parking lots and city streets. The company continues to benefit from strong demand for products featuring its ec-H20 technology, which uses electricity to make tap water act like a detergent. In 2013, Tennant’s sales rose 1.8%, to $752.0 million from $739.0 million…