Amish Furniture Retailer makes Inc. 5000, alongside a Host of High-Tech Companies

NEW YORK, August 30, 2012, DutchCrafters Amish Furniture — Inc. magazine has added DutchCrafters.com to its sixth annual Inc. 500|5000 list, 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. Unified Payments tops this year's list, while DutchCrafters joins Yelp, yogurt maker Chobani, Giftcards.com, KIND, and famed hat-maker Tilly's, among other prominent brands featured on this year's list.

In a list filled with financial service businesses, information technology businesses, health and energy businesses, and a host of famed national brand names how did one small provider of Amish furniture and décor break in? DutchCrafters Founder and CEO James Miller will tell you it's a two-fold balance between offering a superior quality product, and offering a superior standard of customer service.

DutchCrafters first brought Amish furniture to an internet platform back in 2003 when many still had a hard time imagining the words "Amish" and "internet" as compatible, but since the birth of internet sales Amish furniture has thrived.

For so long Amish furniture had been a small, isolated cottage-industry with a limited market confined regionally. Yet today, with internet sales opening the market, Amish furniture has established a firm foot-hold in the national fine-furniture market – reaffirming a reputation of excellence and integrity. Now that Amish furniture retailer Dutchcrafters.com has made the Inc. 500|5000 the question must be asked: will we be seeing a major brand-name in Amish furniture emerge?

In nearly ten years of operation, DutchCrafters has developed strong relationships with the Amish of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, partnering with over 70 Amish and Mennonite woodshops. This unique partnership of an internet retailer, and an isolated community of master artisans has been vital in bringing DutchCrafters to the Inc. 500|5000.

While the emergence of DutchCrafters to the Inc. 500|5000 has been largely attributed to the distinct nature of their product, Amish furniture, this heirloom hardwood furniture alone would not have made the list. DutchCrafters backed the superior quality of their product, with a superior standard of customer service. This in turn helped maintain the reputation of Amish furniture, representing the craftsmen with honest, caring, and professional customer service.

The emergence of Amish furniture into the Inc. 500|5000 is quite a feat, to think just ten years ago this product was limited to small regional markets. DutchCrafters is thrilled to support this developing industry of American craftsmen, and very proud to have helped expand it. "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.

Together DutchCrafters and the Amish-American craftsmen of the North-East, are working to deliver a quality, American-made product, and bring business, jobs, and further economic stimulation to their communities.