Big Ass Fans

(Lexington, KY) September 25, 2009 -- Inc. magazine ranked The Big Ass Fan Company No. 2497 on its third annual Inc. 5000 list, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America’s independent-minded entrepreneurs. Big Ass Fans is one of only two manufacturing companies in Lexington and one of only six manufacturing companies in the state of Kentucky to earn a spot.

Big Ass Fans, the worldwide leading manufacturer of large diameter, low speed fans ranging in diameter from 6’ to 24’, has been included on the Inc. 5000 list since the list was founded in 2007. The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage of revenue growth from 2005 through 2008.

“Our growth pattern has continued despite the recession and we are proud to be included on the Inc. 5000 list for the third year in a row,” says Carey Smith, founder and CEO of Big Ass Fans. “We continue to invest in engineering to develop new and innovative products that provide energy-efficient air movement solutions for a wide variety of applications. Every aerodynamically engineered product provides enhanced comfort and year-round energy savings.”

“Savvy trend spotters and those who invest in private companies know that the Inc. 5000 is the best place to find out about young companies that are achieving success through a wide variety of unprecedented business models, as well as older private companies that are still expanding at an impressive rate,” said Inc. 5000 project manager Jim Melloan. “That’s why our list is so eagerly anticipated every year.

” Big Ass Fans new R&D facility in Lexington, Ky., the first and only of its kind was recently awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Click here to take a tour of the new facility and learn what LEED credits they earned and how. In this new space, Big Ass Fans is able to conduct comprehensive fan performance testing including air velocity profiles, fatigue testing of fan assemblies and components, and prototype builds of the newest and most cutting-edge fan innovations. Earlier this year, Big Ass Fans was also named to the 2009 “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” list.

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About Big Ass Fans

Big Ass Fans is the leading manufacturer of huge ceiling fans for large industrial, agricultural and commercial settings. Big Ass Fans range in size from 6 feet to 24 feet in diameter, using low horsepower motors to generate energy-efficient air movement for large spaces. Big Ass Fans can be used year round to provide occupant comfort and energy savings. There are over 40,000 Big Ass Fans installed worldwide in applications such as manufacturing plants, distribution centers, horse arenas, dairy barns, stadiums, art galleries, restaurants, health clubs and even zoos! Product solutions include Pivot™, Powerfoil^®X™, Powerfoil^®X Plus™, AirGo™, and the new Element^® and Isis™ designed for commercial spaces. Big Ass Fans have been featured in Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, and television programs such as MSNBC’s Your Business, Planet Green, Discovery Channel Canada and the National Geographic Channel. For more information on Big Ass Fans, please visit the website at www.bigassfans.com.

Methodology

The Inc. 5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2005 through 2008. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by the first week of 2005, and therefore able to show four full calendar years of sales. Additionally, they have to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent -- not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies -- as of December 31, 2008. Revenue in 2005 must have been at least $200,000, and revenue in 2008 must have been at least $2 million. The top 10 percent of companies on the list comprise the Inc. 500, now in its 28th year.

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 712,961, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing, and technology. Visit us online at Inc.com.