A local business has ranked nationally for its growth over the last few years. Advanced Office Products, located at 620 Romero St. in Lake Charles, was recently recognized by Inc. 5,000, which ranks the country’s fastest-growing privately held companies. Advanced Office Products ranked No. 3,510 because its revenue growth from 2010 to 2013 was 94 percent. The annual list is in its 33rd year.

Advanced Office Products was opened in 1992 by Scott Greene, who started his career in Alexandria working for another office equipment store until he decided to open his own business in Lake Charles.

“We worked hard everyday and the bottom line is we treat people the way we want to be treated,” he said. “That was the motto we kept. We’ve been blessed ever since.”

The company has grown from two employees to 16 over the last two decades. The business is an authorized dealer for the top three copier manufacturers in the world — Ricoh, Konica Minolta and Kyocera.

“It has given us a unique position in Southwest Louisiana because we host three of the world’s largest manufacturers under one roof,” Greene said. “It helps us diversify because each manufacturer has its own niche and own market.”

His son, Brandon Greene, has continued his father’s legacy and helps run the family business.

“This puts us on the map,” said Brandon Greene. “When you put in a lot of hard work and dedication it really pays off.”

Moving forward, Greene said Advanced Office Products hopes to capitalize on the anticipated business growth in the region in the coming years.

“We’re actually looking at expanding our business concept nationwide,” Greene said. “We have a lot of things in the pipeline, but short-term goals are we’re excited about the expansion and growth in the Lake Area.”(MGNonline)