Company Demonstrates that a Smaller Logistics Provider can Compete for Big Business with Three-Year Sales Growth of 178%
Bellevue, WA – September 1, 2010 -- Inc. magazine ranked Red Arrow Logistics NO. 1602 on its fourth annual Inc. 5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. This is the first time that Red Arrow has appeared on the list, the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy -America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Red Arrow joins other prominent brands on this year’s list, such as music website Pandora, convenience store chain 7-Eleven, Brooklyn Brewery, and Radio Flyer, maker of the iconic children’s red wagon.
“The leaders of the companies on this year’s Inc. 5000 have figured out how to grow their businesses during the longest recession since the Great Depression,” said Inc. president Bob LaPointe. “The 2010 Inc. 5000 showcases a particularly hardy group of entrepreneurs.”
Since 2003, Red Arrow has provided logistics and transportation services and expertise to Fortune 100 companies and others with fast growing, complex and high value supply chains in the technology, food & beverage, consumer products, federal government, public works and renewable energy sectors, working in both the international and domestic arenas. Its primary services are in the areas of freight transportation, freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services, and custom retail programs. Red Arrow has bucked the trend of acquisition and grown one customer at a time.
Despite the fact that most of this year’s measuring period of 2006-2009 took place during the latest recession, aggregate revenue among the companies on the list actually increased to $321.6 billion, up more than 50 percent from last year. This year’s Inc. 5000 employ a record 1.4 million people, up from one million on last year’s list. With unemployment remaining stubbornly high, policymakers and business leaders will do well to look to the Inc. 5000 companies for fresh ideas on achieving growth and creating jobs.
“We have looked at the recession as a challenge to provide the best customer service and the most competitive services,” said Liz Lasater, CEO of Red Arrow Logistics. “It has been clear to me since starting the Company that the marketplace is ripe for small businesses that bring value, superior service and high level expertise. We have great partnerships with our large corporate and government customers and have found them to be very receptive to our style of high-touch customer service and best-in-class supply chain capability.”
Lasater attributes Red Arrow’s fast and continued growth to “a combination of strategy, a hard working smart team, and close customer relationships.” Red Arrow has selected strategic targets in six market sectors where the economic downturn had the least impact. Lasater has found success competing with large logistics companies for these contracts with the business model she has developed that provides flexibility and bandwidth to meet customized supply chain requirements – however large or complex -- and fulfill corporate budget directives for tighter spending controls.
This year’s progress has already been marked with expansion and new office openings to meet client needs around the U.S. and in Asia. Lasater sees her continued hiring as proof-positive of small businesses important contribution to the economy.
Earlier this year Red Arrow Logistics was honored as one of Women President’s Organization’s (WPO) 50 Fastest™ growing women-owned/led companies in North America.
About Red Arrow Logistics
Red Arrow Logistics provides logistics and transportation services and expertise to Fortune 100 companies and others with fast growing, complex and high value supply chains. The Company has deep experience in the technology, military, food & beverage, consumer products and renewable energy sectors, in the international and domestic arenas.
