New York, Aug. 25, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inc. magazine today ranked Alpha Card Services Number 1644 on its fifth annual Inc. 500 | 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy--America’s independent entrepreneurs. Online retailer ideeli tops this year’s list. Alpha Card Services joins Spirit Airlines, television maker Vizio, Honest Tea, Dunkin Donuts and Metrokane, makers of the Rabbit corkscrew, among other prominent brands featured on this year’s list.
In addition to the overall ranking, Alpha Card Services was ranked the 80th fastest growing company in the financial industry and the 49th fastest growing company in the Philadelphia region. Alpha Card Services has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 for 5 consecutive years.
"2011 has been a landmark year for Alpha Card Services in more ways than one," says Lazaros Kalemis, CEO at Alpha Card Services. "Our continued ranking for 5 consecutive years on the Inc. 500 | 5000 list, is the capstone to an already successful period of organic sales growth, new product and service additions, key staff appointments and increased industry awareness. This honor could not have been accomplished without the tireless efforts of the entire Alpha Card team, including our nearly 600 independent sales offices."
In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2011 Inc. 500 | 5000 companies remains an impressive 94 percent. The companies on this year’s list report having created 350,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $366 billion, up 14 percent from last year.
Complete results of the Inc. 5000, including company profiles and an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, region, and other criteria, can be found at www.inc.com/5000.
Methodology
The 2011 Inc. 500 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2007 to 2010. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2007. Additionally, they had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent--not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies--as of December 31, 2010. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2007 is $100,000; the minimum for 2010 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.’s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at www.inc.com/500.
About Inc. Magazine
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 710,106, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Visit us online at www.inc.com.
About the Inc. 500|5000 Conference
Each year, Inc. and Inc.com celebrate the remarkable achievements of today’s entrepreneurial superstars--the privately held small businesses that drive our economy. The Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony brings together members of the Inc. community, both a new class of Inc. 500|5000 honorees and the list’s alumni, for three days of powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration. Please join us September 22-24, 2011, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, located minutes from downtown Washington, D.C. For more information about the 2011 Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony and to register, visit www.inc500conference.com or call 866-901-3205.
About Alpha Card Services
Alpha Card Services, an Inc. 500 company from 2007 through 2011, has grown tremendously since its inception in 2000 and remains focused on adapting their award-winning services to meet the ever-changing business climate. Alpha Card Services, LLC.., a registered ISO/MSP of HSBC Bank, National Association Buffalo NY, was founded in 2000 as an agent and merchant friendly ISO. Within ten years the company has expanded its operations in both Pennsylvania and California, maintained zero hold times for over 4 years, and increased its product portfolio to credit and debit card processing, gift and loyalty cards, POS systems, merchant cash advances, ATM services, check guarantee services and will be introducing many additional new products and programs throughout 2011.