Birmingham's EBSCO Industries ranks #3 on TIME's Best Private Companies list. Reading time: 3 minutes Birmingham-based EBSCO Industries is the third best private company in America according to a report by TIME. Released in July 2026, the prestigious national publication teamed up with global data experts Statista to release their first edition of America's Best Private Companies. The analysis published by TIME highlights 500 privately owned companies nationwide that excel in employee satisfaction and a positive net impact on society. EBSCO ranks 3rd nationally. Patagonia, the outdoor apparel and sporting goods company topped TIME's inaugural list, followed by Wegman's Food Markets and then Birmingham's own EBSCO Industries. If you're unfamiliar with EBSCO, the company's origins go back as far as 1930 when its founder Elton B. Stephens Sr. began selling magazines to put himself through college and law school. After deciding he could earn more money as a salesman than a lawyer, Stephens founded the Military Services Company (MSC) in 1944, selling magazine subscriptions, personalized binders and magazine racks to the armed forces. Over the years, the privately-owned company grew, acquiring a diverse portfolio of businesses, eventually becoming EBSCO Industries. Today, the company owns around 20 different businesses in several different industries, including: * Electrical distribution sales * Insurance * Library databases * Luxury real estate * Outdoor products * Stand up desks. 7 additional Birmingham-headquartered private businesses top TIME's list. In addition to EBSCO, seven other Birmingham-based private companies made TIME's top 500 private companies in America list. Here are the Birmingham-headquartered companies and their rankings: Each of these companies have a long history in Birmingham, and like EBSCO are renowned for their civic support along with their economic impact. For example, EBSCO was recently responsible for a significant expansion of Oak Mountain State Park, and Brasfield & Gorrie led efforts to construct a new engineering building on UAB's campus. "Having eight Birmingham-headquartered companies recognized among TIME's 500 best private companies in America speaks volumes about the strength of our business community. These companies span industries, employ thousands of people and have built businesses with national and global reach, all from right here in Birmingham. EBSCO's No. 3 ranking is an extraordinary achievement, and together these recognitions reinforce what we see every day: Birmingham is a place where great companies are built, grow and make a lasting impact." Steve Ammons, President & CEO, Birmingham Business Alliance Pat byington. Longtime conservationist. Former Executive Director at the Alabama Environmental Council and Wild South. Publisher of the Bama Environmental News for more than 18 years. Career highlights include playing an active role in the creation of Alabama's Forever Wild program, Little River Canyon National Preserve, Dugger Mountain Wilderness, preservation of special places throughout the East through the Wilderness Society and the strengthening (making more stringent) the state of Alabama's cancer risk and mercury standards.

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