MATTHEWS, N.C., Aug. 20, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inc. magazine today ranked Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc. NO. 299 in Health on its seventh annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy—America's independent entrepreneurs. Fuhu tops this year's list. Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc. joins LivingSocial, Bojangles', Edible Arrangements, CDW and Lifelock, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list.

"I attribute this accomplishment to our professional, experienced and totally dedicated staff that understands extreme service," said Frank Trammell, President & CEO of Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc. "We are fortunate to have many excellent referral partners that appreciate quality service and care for their patients."

In a stagnant economic environment, median growth rate of 2013 Inc. 500|5000 companies is an impressive 142 percent. The companies on this year's list report having created over 520,000 jobs in the past three years, and aggregate revenue among the honorees reached $241 billion. The Inc. 5000 was harder to get into this year than ever in its history.

"Now, more than ever, we depend on Inc. 500/5000 companies to spur innovation, provide jobs, and drive the economy forward. Growth companies, not large corporations, are where the action is," says Inc. Editor Eric Schurenberg.

Methodology

The 2013 Inc. 500|5000 is ranked according to percentage revenue growth when comparing 2009 to 2012. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2009. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2012. (Since then, a number of companies on the list have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2009 is $100,000; the minimum for 2012 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. Companies on the Inc. 500 are featured in Inc.'s September issue. They represent the top tier of the Inc. 5000, which can be found at www.inc.com/500.

About Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc.

Founded in 2003, Carolina's Home Medical Equipment, Inc. is a private, for-profit North Carolina corporation collectively holding nearly two centuries of healthcare industry experience. They strive to provide the highest quality in home healthcare equipment, supplies, and services, in a cost-effective manner, to all of their clients in the Charlotte region. Carolina's HME specializes in respiratory and mobility equipment including power wheelchairs, CPAP and Oxygen therapy. Carolina's HME improves the health of its patients in a manner that distinguishes them in the durable medical equipment industry. In summary, they treat every customer as if they were family.

Carolina's Home Medical Equipment ranked number 231 overall in the health industry by Inc. magazine in 2012 and number eight in North Carolina.

					Andrew Trammell
(704) 846-7503