Business : Click Stop marks 5-year anniversary

Five years ago, Clickstop owners Tim Guenther and Shaun Linderbaum launched a website for the US Cargo Control brand. Until that pivotal point, Guenther had been marketing the brands' products to the transportation industry through traditional direct sales methods.

He knew the Internet would provide US Cargo Control access to markets and audiences beyond his personal reach, so Guenther struck an agreement with Linderbaum to build a commerce-based Web site. The concept laid the groundwork for the company's operations today: sales of products in specialty categories online and via an inbound customer care center. Catalog and online chat are new channels presently being tested.

Today, US Cargo Control leads Clickstop's portfolio of 11 Web properties. Successful management of both organic and paid search programs along with strategic acquisitions have fueled the company's growth. In fact, the Corridor Business Journal named Clickstop one of the fastest-growing companies in the area for the past two years.

Looking ahead, Guenther and Linderbaum plan for continued growth with an investment in a new corporate office and fulfillment center on a nine acre plot in the Blue Creek Industrial Park off Highway 150 in Urbana. Early-stage construction began this week for the 35,500 sq ft facility.

Clickstop plans to celebrate the milestone with employees on Thursday, including a BBQ lunch and trimmings.