Champaign firm cracks Inc. fastest-growing list
CHAMPAIGN — A Champaign-based distributor of video-security equipment has broken into the Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest-growing companies, debuting at No. 636.
EP Technology Corp., founded by CEO Kevin Wan, saw revenues grow from $2.8 million in 2008 to $18.6 million in 2011.
That resulted in a three-year growth rate of 569 percent, according to Inc. magazine, which compiles the list.
The company, based at 1401 Interstate Drive in Champaign's Interstate Research Park, sells, distributes and provides technical support for Zmodo video security equipment, which is made in China.
"We're very excited to debut at No. 636, and we hope to crack the top 500 next year," said Patrick Rietz, EP Technology's director of human resources.
Rietz said the company hopes to get to $50 million in sales this year, but he's not sure whether that goal will be met.
But with new products coming out, revenues "could jump to that number or higher very quickly," he said.
The new products include a network video recorder and improved Internet Protocol (wireless) cameras, he said.
EP Technology employs 65, almost all of them in Champaign. The company added 15 employees this year, some in technical support and others in sales and warehousing.
"We continue to expand into Latin America, so we're always seeking bilingual candidates," Rietz said, emphasizing EP Technology's need for workers with Spanish-speaking skills.
Rietz said the company still intends to bring manufacturing to the United States and has discussed that notion with state and local government.
Three area companies returned to the Inc. 5000 list. They included:
— Dawson Logistics, at No. 3,470. The logistics and transportation company has moved its corporate headquarters from Danville to Glen Carbon, but still has warehouse facilities in Danville.
It's the sixth year Dawson Logistics has made the list, having ranked No. 1,649 last year.
Revenues increased from $11.4 million in 2008 to $17.6 million in 2011, for three-year growth of 54 percent. According to Inc., the company employed 108 in 2011, up from 32 three years earlier.
— ATS Acoustics, based in Piper City, at No. 3,544. It's the third year the maker of acoustical panels and other acoustical products has been on the list. Last year it ranked No. 3,058.
Revenues grew from $2.1 mil- lion in 2008 to $3.1 million in 2011, for a 52 percent three-year growth rate. The company employed 20 last year.
— Midwest Underground Technology Inc., based in Champaign, at No. 3,891. It's the sixth year on the list for MUTI, which develops, erects, maintains and repairs communications towers and antenna installations for telecommunications, utility and railroad companies.
Revenues grew from $23.8 million in 2008 to $33.2 mil- lion in 2011, for a 39 percent growth rate. The company had 114 employees last year.
Debuting on the Inc. 5000 list was Champaign-based Prominic.NET, at No. 4,212. The company provides secure managed hosting and flexible cloud environment for software, as well as other information technology services.
Formed in 1998, the company had $2.1 million in revenue in 2011, up from $1.6 million in 2008, for a three-year growth rate of 30 percent. It employs 12.
Effingham-based Midland States Bank, which was No. 935 on the 2011 Inc. 5000 list, did not appear on this year's list.
But another Effingham-based company, Heartland Dental Care, popped up at No. 2,965.
That company, which employs 3,650 people, saw revenues grow from $253 million in 2008 to $440.4 million in 2011, a three-year growth rate of 74 percent.
Area companies on Inc. 5000 list
— EP Technology Corp., Champaign, No. 636.
— Dawson Logistics, Glen Carbon (founded in Danville), No. 3,470.
— ATS Acoustics, Piper City, No. 3,544.
— Midwest Underground Technology, Champaign (founded in Gibson City), No. 3,891.
— Prominic.net, Champaign, No. 4,212.
Also on list: Effingham-based Heartland Dental Care, No. 2,965.
