Inc. Magazine Fastest Growing Private Business

Thanks to our customers and our amazing staff, SmartPak Equine was recognized in Inc. Magazine as the 106th fastest-growing private business in America of 2005! In the Consumer Products category, SmartPak was the 6th fastest growing firm in the country. With a growth rate of 868% in the last 3 years, SmartPak has achieved a recognition never before attained by a business in the Equine Industry.

Each year since 1983, Inc. Magazine has honored the fastest-growing private businesses in America with its Inc. 500 list. Past winners include Microsoft, Gateway, Oracle, and Qualcomm, and hosts of other companies destined for greatness as publicly traded companies. To compile this year's list, Inc. Magazine contacted more than 500,000 businesses and pored over the financial statements of qualified applicants. New members of the list must have an operating history of at least four years and all are ranked according to their average annual sales growth.

SBANE Innovation Award

Earlier in 2005, SmartPak received the Innovation Award from the Smaller Business Association of New England (SBANE). The annual award recognizes New England-based businesses that have transformed innovative ideas into a company, product or service that delivers proven value to customers. Past winners of the award include some of the most recognizable names in New England business including Staples, Ben & Jerry's, Nantucket Nectars, Genzyme, Green Mountain Coffee and SmartFoods Popcorn. SmartPak Equine is the first equine company to receive this prestigious award.

Best Growth Stage Venture

SmartPak equine was selected amongst 26 companies in its class as being the Best Growth Stage Venture as judged by a panel of venture capitalists at the Connecticut Venture Group. The Connecticut Venture Group (CVG) is a voluntary professional organization that is committed to connecting Venture Investment Professionals with high-growth emerging companies.

NASC Certification

As one of the founding members of the National Animal Supplement Council, SmartPak has been one of the foremost advocates for supplement manufacturer responsibility and ethical business and production practices. In November of 2004, SmartPak was the first supplement retailer to be certified by the NASC. Rated as having the “Best Manufacturing Practices”, SmartPak received an “A” rating after its NASC audit and inspection.

Although a catalog retailer not having direct control over label claims or supplement manufacturing conditions, SmartPak has greatly contributed to NASC efforts. SmartPak’s talented technology team has designed and built a sophisticated system used by all members of NASC to track the safety of supplement ingredients. Because of the system created by SmartPak, the industry is sharing data with each other and the FDA for the first time ever. By collecting this data the NASC has solid proof of safety and visibility over any problems. Together, SmartPak and the NASC are hoping to make sensible decisions based on scientific evidence rather than speculation.

Certified Organic Handler

Further confirming SmartPak’s high standards in its production and operations practices, SmartPak voluntarily underwent a thorough inspection by the Baystate Organic Certifiers. Baystate Organic Certifiers is accredited by the National Organic Program to certify organic crop, livestock, and organic wild crop production as well as organic handlers. In August of 2005, the organization acknowledged SmartPak’s superior handling practices by awarding them with Organic Handler Certification.

From Our Customers…

While undoubtedly proud of all our accomplishments, the greatest honor we can receive is to earn our customers’ trust and applause. Because sometimes the most endearing awards are positive feedback, click here to read some of our customers’ testimonials and accolades.