ACP Direct is Honored by Inc. Magazine for Continued Growth and Success

What it does: Sells furniture, equipment, and supplies to public and private schools.

Why it’s growing: Student enrollments are increasing, and this growth necessitates increased spending. In 1990, local, state, and federal government spending totaled $248 billion for public schools; by 2005 it was $536 billion.

What’s noteworthy: The company specializes in niche products designed primarily for use in the education and training markets. It currently does business with more than half of the K-12 districts and schools in the U.S.

Company Profile Entrepreneur Chuck Morris, a veteran in the educational market, founded the company in 2002. The education market is unlike any other, with unique purchasing patterns, funding sources and product and service needs. He knew many small and medium sized schools and districts were frustrated with the “high regular price - low bid price” strategy used by others servicing the market. It is too time consuming and expensive to go through a formal bid process for most purchases. This process is especially burdensome on smaller districts that do not employ purchasing staff. Morris’s idea was simple – focus on schools, and offer a targeted and diverse mix of consistently fair priced products. By focusing on the needs of all institutions, regardless of size, they have built a loyal and growing account base of educators of all types. Their rapid and sustained growth is a testimony to this fact.

ACP Direct has evolved their product offering of computer and audio-visual related products. Today they offer a much wider variety of products including a major expansion of classroom and school furniture lines.

The company is also introducing niche products to the religious and early childhood markets as well. Morris says these markets are closely related as many churches also have affiliated schools and daycares and the public sector are increasingly more involved with early childhood programs for preschool age children. The company, over the years, has built strong vendor relationships with well known major brands. They have also developed and manufactured proprietary products to meet specific needs unique to their market.

Since the company’s success was recognized in the Inc. 5000, they have continued to grow at a rapid pace. Management estimates the company’s expanded product offerings and growth momentum will easily push revenues past the 11 million dollar mark in 2008.