West Des Moines Firms on Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Small Businesses

Three West Des Moines companies are on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing small businesses in America in 2012.

The list of fast-growing private companies is based on revenues for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 calendar years. Overall, the median growth rate of 2012 of the companies on the list remained an impressive 97 percent, despite a stagnant economic environment, according to the magazine. Together, the companies have created more than 400,000 small-business jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among them reached $299 billion.

“Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500/5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs, and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is,” said Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

No. 1122 on the list was  InFocus Partners, human resources company outsourcing support in payroll, employee benefits, HR administration, and risk management. The company grew 282 percent over the three-year period, reporting 2011 revenues of $19.2 million.

Not only did revenues nearly triple, but InFocus Partners has more than doubled its workforce, adding 351 jobs to its own payroll, bringing the total number employed to 596.

Ultimate Nursing Service, No. 3741 on the list, provides in-home health-care, mostly in rural areas, to children in the state of Iowa. Revenues jumped 45 percent in the past three years, to $11.8 million in 2011 from $8.1 million in 2008. During that time, 150 jobs have been added and the company currently employs 550 people.

Finally, No. 4268 Kum & Go reported the greatest revenues of any of the fast-growing companies cited by the magazine.  The Iowa-based chain of 400 gas station and convenience stores in 11 states reported 2011 revenues of $2.6 billion, a 29 percent increase during the period of the study. Kum & Go now employees about 4,000 people, an increase of 400 jobs over the period.