Allegiant Networks, LLC
Gross Revenue: 2007: $4,922,498 2004: $1,020,031 Growth: 382.58% Full-time employees: 33
Founded in 2003, Allegiant Networks advises Kansas City-area small and medium-sized organizations on technology investment, with a specialty in software, hardware and support services for voice and data networks. Led by CEO Bryan Dancer, the company is based in Lenexa.
PlattForm Advertising
Gross Revenue: 2007: $43,580,098 2004: $9,210,538 Growth: 373.15%
Full-time employees: 310
PlattForm Advertising of Olathe specializes in interactive marketing and advertising for higher education, with services like lead generation, online marketing, media placement and video production. After earning a reputation among career colleges, PlattForm has seen its client list grow from 1,000 to 4,000 schools in recent years.
Bartunek Technology Group Inc.
Gross Revenue: 2007: $2,075,056 2004: $457,760 Growth: 353.31% Full-time employees: 14
Offering diversified staffing and project implementation services in telecommunications, IT and engineering, Bartunek Technology Group is known for “providing outstanding service and being responsive to customer needs,” according to CEO Jeri Bartunek. Headquartered in Overland Park, the company has locations in Georgia and North Carolina.
A. H. Tannery, Inc., dba Celsius Tannery
Gross Revenue: 2007: $5,817,347 2004: $1,286,448 Growth: 352.20% Full-time employees: 60
With 14 Celsius Tannery locations in the metro area and an exceedingly popular jingle, A.H. Tannery has grown as a result of acquiring multiple locations and increasing sales at each, says Martin Price, CEO. The indoor tanning salon began in 1996 with a single salon in Independence and now operates out of Leawood.
Challenger Teamwear
Gross Revenue: 2007: $4,678,415 2004: $1,046,298 Growth: 347.14% Full-time employees: 34
Headquartered in Lenexa, Challenger Teamwear combines high-quality uniforms and equipment with low prices to maximize business among recreational soccer players around the country. Founded in 2003, the company owes its achievements to “a growing market and a good business plan with strong financial backing.”
Alexander Open Systems
Gross Revenue: 2007: $122,146,499 2004: $28,792,912 Growth: 324.22% Full-time employees: 205
Since its 1992 beginnings as a small family business, Alexander Open Systems of Overland Park now provides IT systems solutions from 11 offices throughout the country. Although its customer base has grown substantially, the attention on customer service has remained intact.
Freightquote.com
Gross Revenue: 2007: $377,680,482 2004: $86,493,756 Growth: 336.66% Full-time employees: 840
In the era of web-based personal travel, Freightquote.com offers similar web-based services for freight shipping. With branches up and running in the United Kingdom and Ireland, in addition to offices in Minnesota and Pennsylvania, the Lenexa-based freight transportation management firm appears on the list for the sixth year.
Garmin International
Gross Revenue: 2007: $3,180,319,000 2004: $762,549,000 Growth: 317.06% Full-time employees: 8,000/2,400*
A provider of navigation, communication and information devices, Garmin continues its ascent as it approaches its 20th anniversary next year. Innovative technology, dynamic innovation and user-friendliness are the calling cards of this Olathe-based industry leader, co-founded by Dr. Min Kao and Gary Burrell. *Employs 8,000 worldwide/2,400 KC Metro
United Excel Corporation
Gross Revenue: 2007: $59,709,979 2004: $14,600,347 Growth: 308.96%
Full-time employees: 108
A general contractor with an expertise in healthcare projects, United Excel boasts a portfolio of hospitals across Kansas and Missouri. As the reputation for timely completion of projects increases, so too do revenues at the Merriam-based organization, where “client satisfaction is a number one priority.”
The Retirement Planning Group
Gross Revenue: 2007: $1,139,000 2004: $279,000 Growth: 308.24% Full-time employees: 4
The Retirement Planning Group is an independent, fee-only financial advisory firm founded in 2004 by financial advisors from national brokerage firms. Managing principals Chris Costello and Kevin Conard credit growth to a significant number of referrals based on the strength of their independent, unbiased financial advice.
Heartland Bank
Gross Revenue: 2007: $15,425,378 2004: $3,894,111 Growth: 296.12%
Full-time employees: 34
With locations in Leawood, Overland Park and on the Country Club Plaza, Heartland Bank offers business and personal banking, residential lending and financial solutions. Referrals, networking and word-of-mouth have boosted the strong customer relationships at Heartland, where Mark Fitzpatrick serves as president and CEO.
Two West, Inc.
Gross Revenue: 2007: $8,833,920 2004: $2,295,316 Growth: 284.87% Full-time employees: 48
After 10 years, Kansas City’s Two West differentiates itself from advertising agencies with its unique brand of research: “in-depth, with an anthropology basis.” Also driving growth at this transformation design firm is the acquisition of a Los Angeles office with a background in the entertainment industry.
Proactive Solutions, Inc.
Gross Revenue: 2007: $37,043,548 2004: $9,806,705 Growth: 277.74%
Full-time employees: 23
Headed by Melissa Cather-Thiede, ProActive Solutions, Inc. of Mission is a Premier IBM Business Partner and a problem-solver in business technology. Founded in 1996, the company continues to grow after adding sales and service technicians and seeing more business with larger corporations.
The Mutual Fund Store
Gross Revenue: 2007: $40,014,109 2004: $10,760,574 Growth: 271.86%
Full-time employees: 110
Making its fourth appearance on the list is The Mutual Fund Store, which offers fee-based investment management independent of the commissions of traditional brokerage firms. Founded in 1996 and based in Overland Park, the company has served more than 20,000 clients nationwide.
Lansing Trade Group, LLC
Gross Revenue: 2007: $3,584,133,845 2004: $977,010,845 Growth: 266.85% Full-time employees: 138
Operating out of Overland Park headquarters, Lansing Trade Group trades whole grains, feed ingredients and biofuels among other commodities. As a result of opening new offices, entering new markets, and acquiring new business units, the trading company still enjoys remarkable growth after more than 75 years of business.
FSC, Inc
Gross Revenue: 2007: $4,955,850 2004: $1,386,800 Growth: 257.36% Full-time employees: 41
Founded in 1979, engineering consulting firm FSC, Inc. provides mechanical, electrical and plumbing services, as well as fire protection and code consulting. Headquartered in Kansas City, Kan., the company also has locations in the metro area and two offices in India—both opened in the last two years.
Quantum Health Professionals, Inc.
Gross Revenue: 2007: $4,994,477 2004: $1,398,889 Growth: 257.03% Full-time employees: 52
A temporary staffing firm for physical, occupation and speech therapy based in Overland Park, Quantum Health Professionals has provided a necessary resource amid a shortage of industry professionals. Founded in 2002 by two physical therapists, the firm has grown to 52 employees and opened offices in Omaha, Neb.
JMA Chartered
Gross Revenue: 2007: $13,782,448 2004: $3,959,445 Growth: 248.09% Full-time employees: 210
Joseph Melookaran founded JMA Chartered in 1994. Today the technology services provider has locations across the United States and an office in India. According to Melookaran, recent growth is the result of “providing non-traditional services, pursuing new niche areas, and retaining and adding top talent.”
Bishop-McCann
Gross Revenue: 2007: $33,200,960 2004: $10,170,654 Growth: 226.44%
Full-time employees: 30
Specializing in global meetings and incentive travel planning, Bishop-McCann is based in Downtown Kansas City. By building business with existing clients and focusing on acquiring new clients, the company continues to thrive after 10 years in business. Dan Nilsen is the president and owner.
Power On Technologies, Inc.
Gross Revenue: 2007: $1,330,773 2004: $418,335 Growth: 218.11% Full-time employees: 10
Power On Technologies of east Kansas City deals in office equipment—providing sales, service, leasing and supplies. Patrick Searcy, owner and president, founded the business in 1993. Thanks to a new product line and a continued emphasis on customer service, the company moves forward 15 years down the line.