As far as "punch" goes, I'd say number 1. Though I'd do something with the word "industries" as it turns to C to a G. Try putting it underneath, or come half way up inside the C.

As far as the others go, the orange just isn't doing it for me. Maybe play with the saturation/hue just a bit, make it a touch closer to the red. And the ones with the vertical small text are hard to read. If you go vert, I'd make it all caps and increase the font a bit.

Keep plugging away, make sure you step outside occasionally, I know what it's like to hit the brainstorming brick wall!

Chris McGrath | wakazashi
photography | web design

Personally, I prefer 2a/b, particularly the typeface and the way that "industries" clips it a little bit, although I think it needs some tweaking and refinement. The color says "reliable" and "intelligent" to me due to the use of red in other familiar logos. Red is a very stable and professional color IMO, but also can indicate action (and thus the "go-getter" part). The typeface and the lack of a crossbeam on the A tells me that the company is "creative" and "visionary" (it has a very slight futuristic flare to it, while keeping the traditional appearance of serifs.) Overall I'd say it says "Forward looking, yet firmly rooted in the here-and-now."

I'd definitely suggest carrying 2a/b over to the next round of ideation. :-)

I'm with Korteenea on this one. 2a/b are along the lines of what your looking for. I'd throw everthing else but 1 away. I think you can expand on 1 and 2. The fact that 1 has a solid foundation to stand on being that it is a traditional font says alot, you can build from that. Try some other things with 2and see what you come up with.. the bottom of the C being cut off bothers me a bit... it's enough that the A isn't connected... Hope this helps!

Had another look, use the font from 2a with the layout of 1. Korteenea is right on with her comments regarding the styling of that font, the clipping is a nice detail I passed up on the first time.

Chris McGrath | wakazashi
photography | web design

Thanks for your input - you helped me focus my energy.
TG
www.missdetails.com

Just a quick thing... I couldn't help but notice (correct me if I'm wrong) that you Subscribed or read BAmagazine. The way you've used the cropped letter technique show there is quite copied.
The point was to draw inspiration and understanding from it. Besides you know what they say if you can't innovate you imitate but its never quite as good.

Rohan