Although Vitamix's commercial-grade blenders and mixers eat up a good chunk of change -- around $500 on average -- that hasn't stopped consumers in the U.S. and more than 80 countries abroad from snatching them up at record rates.

They don't call it a "super blender" for nothing -- Vitamix is the iconic company that brought us the smoothie, yet its machines are now used by chefs and health-conscious consumers to make everything from soups to soy milk. In Taiwan and many other countries, sales are up 80 percent over the past three years as the growing middle-class becomes increasingly health-conscious.

Bolstered by demand, the company recently broke ground on a $10-million, 51,000-square-foot expansion to its Northeast Ohio headquarters. This development is on top of a $6-million, 40,000-square-foot expansion in 2010. Overall, sales have doubled in the past three years, the company says.

Vitamix manufactures all of its products at its Olmsted Falls headquarters, and sources parts locally, as well.

"Our product helps people to eat more whole foods and choose a healthier lifestyle all over the world," says Jodi Berg, the great-granddaughter of W.G. Barnard, who founded the company in 1921. "A lot of Western diseases and ailments can be controlled and prevented by the fuel and food we put into our bodies."

"Vitamix allows you to take whole healthy foods and turn them into what Martha Stewart calls 'velvet on your tongue.' Healthy, wholesome and easy to make."

Source: Jodi Berg
Writer: Lee Chilcote