Promotional products companies are an established presence on Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5000 ranking of the country’s fastest-growing private companies, and 2017 is no exception. To qualify for the 2017 Inc. 5000, businesses must be privately owned and based in the United States. Only businesses with at least $100,000 in sales as of March 31, 2013 and $2 million in 2016 were eligible.

"The Inc. 5000 is the most persuasive evidence I know that the American Dream is still alive,” says Inc. President and Editor In Chief Eric Schurenberg. “The founders and CEOs of the Inc. 5000 tell us they think determination, risk taking and vision were the keys to their success, and I believe them.”

Seventeen of Cleveland, Ohio-based Proforma’s affiliated distributors made the magazine’s list: Proforma Irvine Group, No. 876; Proforma Durkee, No. 1000; Proforma 3rd Degree Marketing, No. 2020; Proforma IdeaPress, No. 2137; Proforma Scotto Promotions, No. 3039; Proforma Signature Solutions, No. 3323; Proforma N&M Communications, No. 3399; Proforma Stand Out Branding, No. 3446; Proforma ASAP, No. 3916; Mack Packaging, Powered by Proforma, No. 4009; Metro Printed Products, Powered by Proforma, No. 4104; Ascension Marketing Group, No. 4266; Proforma Albrecht & Co., No. 4445; Proforma Nitro Incentives, No. 4566; Proforma Graphic Services, No. 4603; Proforma incentives + Branding, No. 4907; and Proforma.P3, No. 4946.

"We are thrilled to have another record-breaking year on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing businesses in the U.S.,” says Greg Muzzillo, founder of Proforma. “Not only do we want to help our owners and sales reps achieve their goals and dreams, but we want them to get there quickly. The incredible number of Proforma owners on this list shows that we are empowering our members to be on the fast track to success. We are proud of these 29 owners representing 17 businesses, their commitment to their success, and we are grateful for their contributions to Proforma’s overall continued growth.”

Boost Technologies, the parent company of Shumsky and Boost Rewards, is appearing on the Inc. 5000 list for the third time, ranking No. 3976 with a three-year sales growth of 71 percent.

Anita Emoff, CEO of Boost Technologies, says, “It is an honor to be included in this year’s list with so many other growing businesses. We credit our company’s growth to our team and their focus on scalability and continuous improvement for our business. Our drive to exceed expectations for our clients over the past 60 years has helped bring us to where we are today.”  

Other industry companies on the list include Creative Studio Promotions, No. 1552; Brandito, No.1934; MRL Promotions , No. 2784; Blink Marketing, No. 2926; Pride Products Distributors, No. 3813; DiscountMugs.com, No. 4383; Quality Logo Products, No. 4636; iPROMOTEu, No. 4672; and Eagle Promotions, No. 4974.

If your company also made Inc. magazine’s list and was not listed in this article, please contact JamesK@ppai.org and it will be included in a follow-up story in an upcoming issue.