Four Ozarks companies have found themselves among the nation's fastest-growing companies on the latest Inc. 5000 list - and one firm is in the top 500.
Inc. magazine debuted the 2009 Inc. 5000 list Aug. 12. The elite Inc. 500 represents the top 10 percent of that list.
Seventy Missouri companies made the Inc. 5000.
At No. 449 is Springfield-based Electronic Check Services, which posted a 579.6 percent three-year growth rate and $14.1 million in revenue last year. The company, owned by father-and-son Dennis Winfrey and Derron Winfrey, offers electronic check recovery, check conversion and check-processing software, money counters, and prepaid cellular, bill pay, gift and loyalty programs. The owners told Springfield Business Journal earlier this year that they anticipate doubling revenue to about $30 million in 2009.
America's Incredible Pizza, also based in Springfield, came in at No. 792, with a 369.3 percent three-year growth rate and $7.1 million in reported revenue last year. Incredible Pizza also was named the fastest-growing company in southwest Missouri at SBJ's Dynamic Dozen awards in March.
Ozark-based HealthcareFirst, also a 2009 Dynamic Dozen honoree, ranked No. 2,597 on the Inc. 5000 with 114.3 percent growth over three years and $5.7 million in 2008 revenue. Branco Enterprises in Neosho came in at No. 2,722 with 106.8 percent growth and $83.2 million in 2008 revenue.
Overall, the Inc. 5000 ranked insurance as the fastest-growing industry, with an average growth rate of 667 percent. Government was the top industry gainer, with 252 companies on the list, up from 135 last year. Health was the largest industry on the list by total revenue - $22.7 billion - and total employment - 156,223 jobs.
"Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate," Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan said in a news release.
The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage growth between 2005 and 2008. To qualify, companies had to produce revenue of at least $200,000 in 2005 and at least $2 million in 2008.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
