**Editor’s Note: Click here for our recent list of “Top Partners: The Best of the Best,” featuring channel partners recognized by numerous companies in the industry.**

Tech distribution giant Ingram Micro once again is recognizing the companies it deems worthy of a spot in its annual ranking of the top-performing and fastest-growing U.S. channel partners that are focused on the SMB market.

Ingram Micro teamed with The 2112 Group to compile the “SMB 500.” As you might expect, the majority of partners on the list sell services through the distributor.

“The SMB market is lined with businesses that embrace technology and see continued innovation as a path to growth and long-term success,” said Darren Gottesmann, director, SMB sales, Ingram Micro. “The Ingram Micro SMB 500 is comprised of IT service providers and solutions experts who specialize in the business IT needs of SMBs and know how to use technology and IT services to build advantage and solve for the best business outcome.”

Safe Systems of Alpharetta, Georgia, ranked No. 1 on the list based on its 266 percent growth over the past two years. Omega Systems of West Lawn, Pennsylvania, was second, with nearly 250 percent growth. Ranked third, with growth of 225 percent, was Geelers of Dublin, California.

Now in its fourth year, the Ingram Micro SMB 500 evaluates more than 20,000 U.S.-based channel partners. This year’s list ranks channel partners by the company’s compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2012 and 2014. To qualify for the list, SMB-focused partners must have at least three years of working with Ingram Micro under their belts, and must meet minimum sales thresholds in the first and last years of the evaluation period.

“The SMB 500 is a barometer for the SMB channel that demonstrates the success and health of this thriving community, as well as the resilience and value of channel partners playing in this competitive market,” said Larry Walsh, chief analyst and CEO, The 2112 Group.

The SMB 500 generated more than $1.22 billion in cumulative sales through Ingram Micro from 2011 to 2014. Collectively, they had a 39.2 percent compound growth rate over the past year, nearly three times the 2014 channel average.

You can see the complete list of the 2015 SMB 500 here. 

Follow senior online managing editor Craig Galbraith on Twitter.