Despite downturn, logistics businesses show fast growth

If you've been following the financial news for the past year, you might be excused for assuming that just about every business has been in the doldrums. But as Inc. magazine's annual list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies makes clear, quite a number have enjoyed notable revenue growth even in the midst of an economic downturn.

We're proud to say that AGiLE Business Media, publisher of DC Velocity and CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly, made the Inc. 5,000 for the third consecutive year, coming in at 3,430. We were in good company: A number of logistics and material handling players also appeared on the list. Kiva Systems (6), maker of innovative robots that bring inventory to order pickers, earned a spot in the top 10 (the magazine's September issue included a "day in the life" profile of founder Mick Mountz). Also high on the list were Echo Global Logistics (49), a Chicago-based third-party logistics company; Triplefin (126), an order fulfillment service in Cincinnati; and tiny Pallet Central Enterprises (148), an Atlanta-based supplier of custom and recycled pallets.

The list also included some other familiar names. Here are just a few (with their specialties and rankings):
1,441: Intelligrated (automated material handling systems and support services)
2,497: Big Ass Fans (large fans for industrial, agricultural, and commercial applications)
2,595: M33 Integrated Solutions (third-party logistics services)
3,398: Logistics Management Solutions (logistics execution software)
3,782: SkyBitz (remote asset management)
3,930: Genco Supply Chain Solutions (third-party logistics services)
4,637: Associated Material Handling Industries (sales, rentals, and service for material handling equipment)

There were many more logistics and material handling specialists on the list than we can include here. But you can check the rankings out for yourself by going to the Inc. Website.