Des Moines, IA (May 23, 2011) - Inc. magazine and Winning Workplaces today announced Submittal Exchange as one of the winners of the 2011 Top Small Company Workplaces competition—an annual contest that recognizes the nation's best small and mid-sized company work environments—in Inc.'s June issue. This is Submittal Exchange's first Winning Workplace recognition.

Submittal Exchange, located in Waukee, Iowa, was founded in 2003 by Matt Ostanik, a young architect who was highly frustrated with the paper intensive submittal process for construction projects. Ostanik developed a plan to eliminate the need for paper submittals, creating the online service of Submittal Exchange. The 50 Top Small Company Workplaces of 2011 are compelling examples of successful organizations with unique, exceptional cultures.

"We are committed to providing a quality work environment for our employees and a quality product for our customers. As we grow our business we want our staff to know that this award is a testament to their efforts and hard work," said Ostanik.

In 2008 Submittal Exchange was awarded the John Pappajohn Business Plan Award designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and greater awareness of the resources available to grow entrepreneurs in Iowa. The same year the company was recognized in the Constructech Magazine Vision Awards as a software supplier that enables construction companies to achieve their goals. Adding to their accolades, in 2010 the company was recognized by the Technology Association of Iowa as the Top Growth Company in Iowa and in 2011 as Software Company of the Year. Submittal Exchange is currently hiring in Waukee, Iowa.

Every year since 2003, Winning Workplaces, an Evanston, IL–based nonprofit organization, has recognized firms that attribute much of their business success to their commitment to exemplary people practices and outstanding workplace cultures.

Winning Workplaces and Inc. received nearly 350 completed applications for the contest. A national panel of experts in leadership and small to mid-sized business judged the finalists. Selections were based on specific metrics and qualitative assessments of the finalists' success in creating the kind of workplaces that engage employees and deliver bottom-line results.

ITAGroup, Inc. of West Des Moines was the only other Iowa company to receive the Winning Workplace award this year. Since Winning Workplaces Top Small Company Awards inception in 2007 only two other Iowa companies have been recognized with this award. The Sky Factory, L.C. in Fairfield and Van Meter Industrial in Cedar Rapids were both were named Winning Workplaces in 2010.

"This year's winning firms distinguish themselves in so many ways," asserts Ken Lehman, chairman of Winning Workplaces. "They are steadily growing their revenues, often outperforming their industries; have identified niches where they add unmatched value; and are guided by strong missions and values. And, they make no secret of the fact that a key driver behind their success is their engaged and committed workforces."

About Inc. Magazine

Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures, Inc. magazine (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today's innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 708,450, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing and technology.

About Winning Workplaces

Winning Workplaces (www.winningworkplaces.org) is an Evanston, IL-based not-for-profit, whose mission is to help the leaders of small and mid-sized organizations create great workplaces. Founded in 2001, Winning Workplaces serves as a clearinghouse of information on workplace best practices, provides seminars and workshops on workplace-related topics and inspires and awards top workplaces through its annual Top Small Company Workplaces initiative.