Coffee for one

Despite being the largest coffee filter brand worldwide and one of the premium coffee brands in the United States, Melitta is still looking for ways to stay ahead of its competition. That's what keeps its executives, including USA Vice President of Marketing Chris Hillman, up at night.

“We compete in very aggressive, dynamic categories,” Hillman says. To stay relevant, the company has to continuously innovate.

The U.S. branch of Melitta brings in more than $100 million in annual sales: half from filters produced in its manufacturing facilities in Clearwater, and half from coffee and coffee products produced in Cherry Hill, N.J. About 100 of Melitta USA's 120 employees work in Florida, according to Hillman.