OVERVIEW
CPO Commerce partners with leading manufacturers of brand name consumer products to establish, develop and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout, discontinued, excess and refurbished products.
CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving brand and pricing integrity in the market.
MANAGEMENT
Management Team
Rob Tolleson - Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer
Brooke Abercrombie - Chief Operating OfficerRob Tolleson founded CPO and currently serves as its Founder, President & CEO.
Prior to founding CPO, Mr. Tolleson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CLICK Radio, a digital music service for PCs and related devices. Previously, he founded and served as Chairman, President & CEO of Fast Forward, Inc., a new media company engaged in communicating the value of personal technology goods and services to mainstream consumers.
From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Tolleson was employed by Turner Broadcasting System, a division of Time Warner Inc.,, most recently serving as Senior Vice President, Business Operations and Development, and as Deputy Chief Operating Officer of the CNN News Group, where he was involved in overseeing six television networks, two radio networks, CNN Interactive and other businesses representing more than $1 billion in annual revenue.
From 1987 to 1991, Mr. Tolleson was an Investment Banking Analyst and Associate with Morgan Stanley & Co. in New York, Hong Kong and Seoul.
Mr. Tolleson received a Master in Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science from Washington and Lee University. He currently sits on the Boards of the National Monuments Foundation, Foothill Family Services, and the San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Young Presidents' Organization.
Raj Karnik - Information TechnologyMs. Abercrombie is responsible for managing the company's internal operations and is a seasoned entrepreneur. Prior to joining the CPO team she was the co-founder and President of Neurosmith, a high tech toy company focused on early education. Prior to starting Neurosmith, she served as Vice President of Product Development at Davidson & Associates, a pioneer in educational software and the creator of Math Blaster, the world's best-selling math program for kids. Ms. Abercrombie started her career at LEK Consulting, where she advised clients in corporate strategy and mergers & acquisitions. Ms. Abercrombie received her MBA from Harvard University and her BA from Harvard College.
Brian Carroll - Brand Relations and Business DevelopmentMr. Karnik has worked with Fortune 50 and well known branded companies such as Time Warner, Edison, Hooked on Phonics, Sylvan, and Reading Rainbow for over a decade focusing on the needs of service and direct to consumer businesses. He has architected the strategic and tactical efforts to shape technical infrastructure to match the growing needs of business, from areas ranging across data warehousing, enterprise resource planning, call centers, third party logistics and multiple web domains such as e-commerce, service and brochure sites as well as partner portals. Mr. Karnik holds a BS in Computer Science from California State University, Long Beach.
Jeff Emmons - E-Commerce OperationsMr. Carroll is responsible for the company's brand partner relations and business development. Prior to joining the CPO team he was Director of Sales for Duraspin Commercial Fastening a division of Senco Products, Inc. Prior to Duraspin, he served as Director of Sales East for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. Additional positions while at Milwaukee included Regional Sales Manager, National Account Manager Sears and Lowe's and District Sales Manager. Mr. Carroll brings 13 years of experience in the home improvement and construction industry to the CPO team. He served in the United States Marine Corps as a Captain in the infantry and holds a MBA from Keller Graduate School and a BS from Miami University.
Mr. Emmons has over nine years of e-commmerce experience in production, marketing and operations roles. As Director of Site Operations, he is responsible for managing the launch of new sites as well as maintaining and improving the performance of existing sites. Prior to CPO, he worked at Cooking.com, a leading online kitchenware retailer. He started his career at DisneyStore.com, a Walt Disney Company. Mr. Emmons graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Communications.
Board of Directors
Rob Tolleson - Chairman David Schofman
Steve HicksNamed the "godfather of golf e-commerce" by Golf Retailer Magazine, and "one of the most influential figures in the golf industry under the age of 40" by GolfWeek Magazine, Mr. Schofman is the former Founder and CEO of Callaway Golf Interactive, Inc (CGI) and SVP of Global Ecommerce for Callaway Golf. Mr. Schofman had previously been the Founder and CEO of Trade Up Commerce, Inc., which was acquired by Callaway Golf in May 2004. After the acquisition, CGI operated all online direct marketing and ecommerce business units including Callaway Golf Pre-Owned, Callaway Golf Gift Card, Callaway Golf VIP, Callaway Golf Shopping Spree and Shop.CallawayGolf.com.
Prior to starting Trade Up Commerce, Mr. Schofman created one of the most successful e-commerce golf retail companies, Igogolf.com, in 1995. Mr. Schofman sold the company to CBS Sportsline in June of 1998. With CBS Sportsline as a key partner, Mr. Schofman and his team soon acquired the largest online seller of used golf clubs, Golfclubtrader.com. By combining Igogolf.com with Golfclubtrader.com, David and his team were able to create a dynamic online environment that allowed customers to buy, sell and trade for brand-name new and used golf clubs. The formula proved highly successful and CBS Sportsline was able to sell the business, along with their other e-commerce assets, to Benchmark Capital in January of 2000.
Today Mr. Schofman is a Partner in 3Leaf Interests, a private equity and management consulting business. 3Leaf has a wide range of investments/partners and focuses mainly on early stage financing and growth development. In addition, Mr. Schofman operates a real-estate development company called WDS Investments. Mr. Schofman is a graduate of the University of Texas and resides in Austin, TX.
Chairman of Capstar Partners, LLC formed in June 2000. Capstar Partners participates in small and middle market buyouts, real estate development, and public investing. Since 2000, Capstar has invested in a broad range of industries including media and broadcasting, healthcare services, e-commerce, financial services and real estate.
Capstar Partners is the controlling shareholder in DMX Holdings, Inc., a company engaged in the provision of business media services, including video, music and scent technologies, Andrew Harper, Inc., a high-end travel publishing and services firm, and Harden Healthcare Texas, LP, a company engaged in the skilled nursing, home health, and related fields. Other holdings of Mr. Hicks include the Big EZ Ranch, Ltd., an upscale bed and breakfast lodge and real estate development in Big Sky, Montana, and a residential real estate development project in St. Barth. Mr. Hicks also currently serves as chairman of the board of directors of Healthtronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HTRN), a company engaged in the delivery of urological products and services.
Prior to forming Capstar Partners, Hicks was Vice Chairman of AMFM Inc. (NYSE: AFM), the nation's largest owner and operator of radio stations, with over 450 radio stations in markets across the U.S. In 1996, Hicks founded Capstar Broadcasting Corporation, and led Capstar Broadcasting and its 350 radio stations to a successful public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 1998. In August 1999 Capstar Broadcasting merged with Dallas-based Chancellor Media Corporation, another radio industry powerhouse, and in a stock swap valued at $4.1 billion, AMFM Inc. was born. In addition to serving AMFM Inc. as Vice Chairman, Hicks was President of its New Media division, which developed Internet products and technologies for the radio industry.
Hicks bought his first radio station at age 29 and co-founded Hicks Communications, Inc., in 1979, acquiring stations in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. In 1989, Hicks co-founded SFX Broadcasting, Inc., building it into a publicly traded industry leader and one of the five largest radio groups in the country. Hicks left the company in mid-1996 to begin building Capstar Broadcasting.
A 28-year veteran of the radio broadcasting industry, including 20 as a station owner, Hicks was named Radio Executive of the Year and was ranked one of the 10 Most Powerful People in Radio by Radio Ink magazine, and was also honored as Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. In 1996, Hicks was recognized by the Texas Association of Broadcasters as Broadcaster of the Year. He serves on numerous charitable and professional boards.
PARTNERS
NEWS
Recent Press Releases
CPO CST/berger Press Release - July 1, 2009
CPO Black and Decker Press Release - April 29, 2009
CPO Eureka Press Release - April 8, 2009
CPO Eureka Press Release - April 8, 2009
CPO Hunter Press Release - Februrary 12, 2009
CPO Senco Press Release - January 17, 2009
CPO Homelite Press Release - December 22, 2008
CPO Ryobi Press Release - December 12, 2008
LA Business Journal Press Release - November 26, 2008
Inc. Magazine Top 500 Press Release - August 27, 2008
CPO DEWALT Press Release - August 15, 2008
Ernst & Young Press Release - July 31, 2008
CPO Commerce Adds CST/berger to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – July 1, 2009 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CST/berger, David White and Rolatape to its branded Bosch retail website (http://www.cpotools.com). Acquired by Bosch in 2008, these are leading brands in the measuring and leveling tools and equipment industry. These new lines will join the growing family of twenty-seven specialty retail websites created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
Bosch’s selection of measuring and leveling equipment (http://bosch.cpotools.com/measuring_and_leveling_equipment/) offers homeowners and professionals unparalleled accuracy in laser levels, locators & distance measurers, optical levels, total stations and more.
"We are pleased to expand our affiliation with Bosch with these well-respected brands," stated CPO Founder, President & CEO Rob Tolleson. "These new lines are the best in their respective categories. We are thrilled to carry CST/berger, David White and Rolatape's lines of dependable products."
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement industry to establish, develop and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout, discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Black & Decker to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – April 29, 2009 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Black & Decker (http://www.cpobd.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for new and certified factory-reconditioned products from the Black & Decker line. It is the twenty-seventh specialty retail website created by (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers homeowners and professionals an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Black & Decker power tools; outdoor equipment, automotive and home products; accessories and more.
"We are pleased to expand our partnership with such a well-respected brand," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "Black & Decker is one of the most recognized brands in the world. We are thrilled to carry Black & Decker’s line of affordable and dependable tools and equipment."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Eureka to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – April 8, 2009 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Eureka (http://www.cpovacuumcleaners.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for certified factory-refurbished products from the Eureka line of vacuums. It is the twenty-sixth specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers homeowners an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Eureka canister vacuums, lightweight vacuums, upright vacuums, accessories and more.
"We are pleased to expand our selection of vacuums with such a well-respected brand," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "Eureka has been a leading vacuum manufacturer for 90 years. Its history of quality and innovation extends to their entire line of floor care products, including the Air Extreme, Boss, EnviroSteamer and Capture vacuums."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Hunter to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – February 12, 2009 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Hunter (http://www.cpohunterfan.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for new and certified factory reconditioned products from the Hunter line of products. It is the twenty-fifth specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers contractors and homeowners an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Hunter ceiling fans, bathroom fans, portable fans, air purifiers, humidifiers, thermostats, accessories and more.
"This is an exciting brand launch for our company," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "Hunter Fan has been a leading ceiling fan manufacturer since 1886. In recent years they have added air purifiers, humidifiers and accessories to their line of high quality products. We are pleased to partner with such a well-respected brand."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Senco to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – January 17, 2009 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Senco (http://www.cposenco.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for new and factory certified reconditioned products from the Senco line of pneumatic tools. It is the twenty-fourth specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers professionals and do-it-yourselfers an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Senco collated fastening systems, combo kits, compressors, nailers, staplers, specialty tools, accessories and more.
"This is an exciting brand launch for our company," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "Senco has been a leading manufacturer of power fastening systems for more than 50 years. Senco tools are used by professionals and DIY'ers in residential construction and remodeling, woodworking, cabinet and furniture assembly, manufactured housing, industrial packaging and more. We are pleased to add Senco nailers, staplers and fasteners to our growing line of high quality products."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Homelite to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – December 22, 2008 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Homelite (http://www.cpohomelite.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for factory certified reconditioned products from the Homelite line of outdoor equipment. It is the twenty-second specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers value-oriented professionals and do-it-yourselfers an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Homelite blowers, chain saws, trimmers and more.
"This is CPO's most significant commitment to the outdoor equipment market to date," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "With the launch of Homelite, our professional and DIY customers now have access to factory certified reconditioned Homelite products combined with the service and value they count on from CPO."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds Ryobi to its Growing Roster of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA – December 12, 2008 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of CPO Ryobi (http://www.cporyobi.com) to its growing number of branded retail websites. The site is the online source for factory certified reconditioned products from the Ryobi line of power tools and outdoor equipment. It is the twenty-first specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (http://www.cpooutlets.com) since the company was founded in 2004.
The new site offers value-oriented professionals and do-it-yourselfers an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of Ryobi cordless tools, drill presses, nailers and staplers, routers, grinders, sanders and polishers, blowers, chain saws, sprayers, trimmers, log splitters, accessories and more.
"This is a very significant brand launch for our company," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "With the launch of Ryobi, our professional and DIY customers now have access to factory certified reconditioned Ryobi products combined with the service and value they count on from CPO."
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Ranks No. 7 in the 2008 Los Angeles Business Journal's 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies
PASADENA – November 26, 2008 – CPO Commerce ranked No. 7 on the Los Angeles Business Journal's annual list of the fastest-growing private companies. The announcement comes on the heels of CPO's recent national rankings as No. 2 retailer and No. 41 overall on the 2008 Inc. 500 Fastest Growing Companies.
Founded in 2004, CPO Commerce works with manufacturers in the home improvement industry to establish branded online outlet stores to sell new, reconditioned and closeout products. The company brings creative online selling solutions to its 24 brand partners including Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita, Porter Cable, Delta Woodworking, DeWALT, Skil, Ridgid, Ryobi, Festool, Metabo, Electrolux, Stanley Bostitch, Campbell Hausfeld, Powermatic and Karcher. CPO Commerce also delivers an unrivaled customer service experience and value to professionals and DIY consumers.
"We are excited to be recognized by the LABJ as the 7th fastest-growing privately-held company in the Los Angeles area. Our employees should be very proud of their accomplishments. We hope to continue to grow rapidly as CPO offers tremendous value to its brand partners and customers," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson.
The Fastest Growing Private Companies List which ranks the top businesses in a variety of industries based on revenue growth is the Los Angeles Business Journal’s most widely read feature. For a complete list of winners please visit, http://www.labusinessjournal.com/.
For more information about CPO Commerce, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with manufacturers of leading brands in the home improvement
industry to establish, develop, and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout,
discontinued, excess and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving
brand and pricing integrity in the market. For more information, please visit http://www.cpocommerce.com or http://www.cpooutlets.com.
About The Los Angeles Business Journal
Each week, the award-winning Los Angeles Business Journal examines the many ways that
the L.A. economy operates. Together with the economic news, demographics and lifestyle
profiles, the Los Angeles Business Journal is presented in an accessible format. First-rate
editorial and research teams provide in-depth analyses of the community’s ever-changing
business and economic scene.
Regular departments include Up Front, highlighting stories of importance featuring Los Angeles businesses and their decision-makers; Media & Technology, focusing on up-to-theminute changes and innovations in the businesses that serve these fields; Small Business, profiling those smaller businesses moving into the fore; and Investment and Finance, where L.A.’s many public companies are profiled and analyzed.
One of the most widely read features is The List, which ranks the top businesses in any given industry. Each of these surveys is then compiled into the Los Angeles Business Journal’s invaluable resource – the annual Book of Lists.
Inc. Magazine Reveals Its 27th Annual List of America’s 500 Fastest-Growing Private Companies – CPO Commerce Ranks No. 2 Retailer and No. 41 Overall on the 2008 Inc. 500 With Three-Year Sales Growth of 3,396%
NEW YORK – August 27, 2008 – Inc. magazine ranked CPO Commerce No. 2 in the retail industry and No. 41 overall on its 27th annual Inc. 500 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy – America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Companies such as Zappos, Intuit, GoDaddy, Under Armour, Jamba Juice, American Apparel, Oracle and hundreds of other powerhouses gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 500.
"If you want to find out which companies are going to change the world, look at the Inc. 500," said Inc. Editor Jane Berentson. "These are the most innovative, dynamic, fastgrowing companies in the nation – the ones coming up with solutions to some of our knottiest problems, creating systems that let us conduct business faster and easier, and manufacturing products we soon discover we can’t live without. The Inc. 500 list is Inc. magazine’s tribute to American business ingenuity and ambition."
Founded in 2004, CPO Commerce works with manufacturers in the home improvement industry to establish branded online outlet stores to sell new, reconditioned and closeout products. The company brings creative online selling solutions to its 20 brand partners including Bosch, Milwaukee, Makita, Porter Cable, Delta Woodworking, DeWALT, Skil, Festool, Metabo, Electrolux, Stanley Bostitch, Campbell Hausfeld, Powermatic and Karcher. CPO Commerce also delivers an unrivaled customer service experience and value to end consumers.
"We are thrilled to see that Inc. has identified CPO as the 2nd fastest-growing privately-held retailer in the U.S.A. Our employees should be very proud of their accomplishments. We hope to continue to grow rapidly as CPO offers tremendous value to its brand partners and customers," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson.
CPO Commerce has assembled a strong team with broad experience in e-commerce, technology, marketing, operations and fulfillment. "We are excited for the employees who have all worked so hard over the last 4 years to manage this explosive growth and retain an entrepreneurial energy," said David Schofman, an Austin, TX based CPO Board member and former SVP of Global E-Commerce with Callaway Golf. "We have only just begun this journey and I am certain CPO’s rapid growth will continue." In fact CPO recently more than doubled the size of its distribution center in Atlanta, GA to 67,000 sf and will commence fulfillment operations on the West Coast soon. CPO's Board is rounded out by CPO Commerce Founder & CEO, Rob Tolleson, and Steve Hicks, Chairman of Austin, TX based Capstar Partners, LLC.
The 2008 Inc. 500, as revealed in the September issue of Inc. magazine (on newsstands August 26 – September 30), reported aggregate revenue of $13.7 billion and median three-year growth of 1,046%. Total sales for Inc. 500 companies were 14 percent below last year’s combined revenue of $16 billion; still, it was a stellar year for many companies. Not only did sales for this year’s top 50 growers outstrip those of last year’s top 50 by $541 million, but this year’s fastest 50 also boasted a staggering 47 percent jump in average three-year growth from last year’s top of the class. Additionally, the 2008 Inc. 500 companies were engines of job growth, having created more than 51,414 jobs since those companies were founded.
Complete information on this year’s Inc. 500, including company profiles and a list of the fastest-growing companies that can be sorted by industry and region can be found at www.inc5000.com.
Hottest Regions for Fastest-Growing Companies
Once again California tops the Inc. 500 list with the most companies of any state, 78, down
three from last year. Of California’s 78 companies, 43 call Southern California home. The
Los Angeles area alone accounts from 66 percent of the state’s $3.5 billion in Inc. 500
revenue.
The surge in oil and a booming tech sector is driving growth are Texas, which is home to 43 Inc. 500 companies this year. The Lone Star state is second only to California and ties Southern California by adding five more companies. The Austin metro area is Texas’s hottest, with 7.5 Inc. 500 companies per million residents.
Georgia jumped from eighth last year to third with 31 businesses on the list (up from 20 last year). Georgia also benefits from the port of Savannah, the country’s fastest-growing container terminal. New York comes in fourth with 29 companies on the list, followed by Illinois and Virginia tied for fifth, both with 27 Inc. 500 companies.
The Washington, D.C. metro area boasts 39 Inc. 500 companies, making it the top metropolitan area for the sixth consecutive year. New York City is a close second, with 31 (down seven companies from last year), followed by Atlanta with 29 companies (adding nine companies this year), Chicago has 27 companies (eleven more companies than last year), and Los Angeles with 26 (up one company).
Hottest Industries for Fastest-Growing Businesses
The most notable median growth categories among Inc. magazine’s list of the 500 fastestgrowing
businesses is in the Food & Beverage category (which grew by 2,626.8 percent on
average), followed by Real Estate (which grew by 1,817.4 percent on average), Financial
Services (which grew by 1,638.6 percent on average), Government Services (which grew by
1,277.9 percent on average), and Advertising & Marketing (which grew by 1,189.1 percent
on average).
The largest business category is IT Services, with 67 Inc. 500 companies. Business Services (59 companies), Advertising & Marketing, and Government Services (35 companies each), and Software (28 companies) round out the top five industries ranked on the 2008 Inc. 500.
Industries reporting the highest total revenue from 2004 to 2007 are Computers & Electronics ($2.1 billion), Energy ($1.3 billion), Government Services ($1.2 billion), IT Services ($974.2 million), and Real Estate ($909.3 million).
Methodology
The 2008 Inc. 500/5000 list measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify,
companies must be U.S.-based and privately held, independent – not subsidiaries or
divisions of other companies – as of December 31, 2007, and have had at least $200,000 in
revenue in 2004, and $2 million in 2007.
Companies can apply for next year’s Inc. 500/5000 by registering with “IncBizNet, Business Network for Private Companies”, at www.incbiznet.com.
4,500 Reasons to Quash Your Recession Fears
Last year we celebrated the 26th anniversary of the Inc. 500 by expanding the list tenfold,
creating the first-ever Inc. 5000. Complete results of the Inc. 5000 can be found at
www.inc5000.com, where you can scan profiles of honorees, view lists of the fastestgrowing
companies by industry and region, and sort the data according to your own
parameters.
About Inc. magazine
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, LLC., Inc. magazine
(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 724,110, Inc. provides hands-on tools
and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and
technology.
About Inc. 500|Inc. 5000
Conference Each year, Inc. magazine and Inc.com celebrate the remarkable achievements
of today’s entrepreneurial superstars — the privately held small businesses that drive our
economy. The Inc. 500|Inc. 5000 Conference brings together members of the Inc. 5000
community—both a new class of Inc. 5000 honorees and the list’s alumni—for three days of
powerful networking, inspired learning, and momentous celebration. For the first time ever,
this powerful networking event is open to all. Please join us September 18-20, 2008 at the
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Washington, D.C. For more information
or to register, visit www.Inc500Conference.com or call us at 877-211-0489.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with leading manufacturers of brand name consumer products to
establish, develop and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout, discontinued, excess
and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable
manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving brand and pricing
integrity in the market. For more information, please visit www.cpocommerce.com or
www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Adds DEWALT to its Family of Branded Retail Websites
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – August 15, 2008 – CPO Commerce, Inc. today announced the addition of DEWALT to its growing number of brand exclusive retail websites. The site is an authorized DEWALT online retailer and dedicated to selling new and factory reconditioned products exclusively from the DEWALT line of industrial power tools. It is the twentieth specialty retail website created by CPO Commerce (www.cpooutlets.com) since it was formed in 2004.
The new site offers DEWALT fanatics an unrivaled online shopping experience featuring the full line of DEWALT power tools, equipment products and accessories including corded and cordless drills, saws, hammers, grinders, routers, planers, plate joiners, sanders, lasers, generators, compressors, nailers, saw blades, metal and masonry drill bits, abrasives, screw driving accessories and more.
"This is a very significant brand launch for our company," stated CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO Rob Tolleson. "CPO’s professional and DIY customers have been asking for DEWALT for years. We are thrilled to be able to offer them DEWALT’s extensive line of industrial power tools and accessories."
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with leading manufacturers of brand name consumer products to
establish, develop and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout, discontinued, excess
and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable
manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving brand and pricing
integrity in the market. For more information, please visit www.cpocommerce.com or
www.cpooutlets.com.
CPO Commerce Founder, President and CEO, Rob Tolleson, Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 Award Finalist in the Greater Los Angeles Area
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – July 31, 2008 – Founder, President and CEO of CPO Commerce Rob Tolleson was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2008 Award in the Greater Los Angeles Area, CPO announced today. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Rob Tolleson was selected as a finalist from 60 nominations by a panel of independent judges.
Mr. Tolleson formed CPO Commerce, Inc. in 2004 to partner with manufacturers in the home improvement industry to establish branded online outlet stores to market new, reconditioned and closeout products. CPO Commerce brings creative online selling solutions to its brand partners and unrivaled online shopping experience to end consumers. " I am honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award," Mr. Tolleson stated. " And I congratulate everyone who has helped make CPO the choice for leading brands and customers worldwide."
The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 22nd anniversary this year. The program has expanded to recognize business leaders in over 135 cities in 50 countries throughout the world.
Regional award winners are eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 15, 2008. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.
Sponsors
Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are
pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national
sponsors. In the Greater Los Angeles Area, sponsors include Marsh, Scherzer International,
City National Bank and Bowne.
About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for
entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages
entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of
people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and
only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those
who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them
through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50
countries.
About Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering
commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our
wider communities achieve potential. For more information, please visit www.ey.com.
About CPO Commerce
CPO Commerce partners with leading manufacturers of brand name consumer products to
establish, develop and operate online outlet stores for new, closeout, discontinued, excess
and refurbished products. CPO's branding and merchandising strategies enable
manufacturers to generate improved return on assets while preserving brand and pricing
integrity in the market. For more information, please visit www.cpocommerce.com or
www.cpooutlets.com.
