Click here to download this press release in PDF format. September 7, 2007 Contact: Allison Short Public Relations Coordinator (614) 469-1001 ashort@chutegerdeman.com Agency Contact: Karen Schaffner Corporate Image Consulting (678) 579-9906 schaffner@direcpath.tv Chute Gerdeman Retail Makes the Inc. 5,000 List COLUMBUS, OH—Inc. has ranked Chute Gerdeman Retail on its first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The Inc. 5,000, an extension of Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500 list, catches many businesses that are too big to grow at the pace required to make the Inc. 500, as well as a host of smaller firms. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy. “The Inc. 5,000 provides the most comprehensive look ever at the most important part of the economy – the entrepreneurial part,” said Inc. 5,000 Project Manager Jim Melloan. “The expansion of the list has allowed us to tell the stories of larger companies, older companies, and a wealth of companies in industries like Manufacturing and Construction that are underreported in the business media.” Chute Gerdeman was ranked 3,075 on the list. “Chute Gerdeman has been experiencing strong growth over the past few years, and next year promises to continue the trend, with several major international and domestic projects in the pipeline. We are pleased to see Inc. magazine's recognition of our success and the hard work of our talented associates,” said Chute Gerdeman principal, Denny Gerdeman. The 2007 Inc. 5,000, as revealed online at www.inc.com, reported median revenue of $9.4 million and median three-year growth of 140 percent. Complete information on this year’s Inc. 5,000, can be found at www.inc.com/inc5000. The list features a profile for each company, almost all of them written as a result of Inc. interviews with management. Chute Gerdeman’s company profile can be found at http://www.inc.com/inc5000/2007/company-profile.html?id=200730750 About Chute Gerdeman Retail Since 1989, Chute Gerdeman Retail, based in Columbus, OH, has created retail brands, their identities, their environments, and every other customer touch point, including brand communication materials, merchandising fixtures, and packaging. The firm’s client list includes: M&M’S® (Mars), Target, Levi Strauss, 7–Eleven, Sheetz, Chili’s, Einstein Brothers Café, KFC (Japan), Marriott Vacation Club Resorts, Smithsonian, Kohl’s, Club Libby Lu, Pepsi–Cola, CompUSA, Nationwide Arena, Philips Arena and Lowe’s. In 2006, the firm was voted “Designer of the Year” by readers of DDI (Display & Design Ideas) magazine in addition to the numerous awards it has received for design leadership. The company’s work for M&M’S World® Orlando was recognized as “International Store of the Year” by the Institute of Store Planners, a professional design organization. For more information, go to www.chutegerdeman.com