Austin-based reverse logistics and electronics recycling company MHD Enterprises was recognized as the 28th fastest-growing company in the United States at the Inc. 500|5000 Conference & Awards Ceremony on Oct. 3–5 in Phoenix.

Inc. magazine is a publication dedicated to owners and managers of growing private companies. Businesses are ranked by the magazine and dubbed America's fastest-growing privately held companies at the annual awards ceremony.

Earlier this year, MHD expanded its facility at 9715 Burnet Road, Ste. 125, from 8,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet because the company needed more space to house machinery and keep up with the high business volume, CEO Michael Dadashi said.

"We're growing so fast; we're already growing out of our office space," said Gail Zorne, MHD chief operating officer and Dadashi's mother.

Zorne said the company is expected to expand to 50,000 square feet in 2013. She said MHD hopes to expand in its existing location but might look in the East Austin area.

MHD purchases used electronics such as computer monitors, hard drives, computer bags, power supplies and other computer parts from companies that have contracts with original equipment manufacturers, Zorne said.

Products are then repaired and resold at a discount online through www.adapteravenue.com. Currently, the company uses an outside partner to recycle electronic products that cannot be fixed, but MHD is expected to become certified to do its own recycling in December.

The company may expand beyond Austin as well, Dadashi said, as he is considering new locations to further sales distribution in Dallas and Ohio.

Because of the company's rapid expansion, Dadashi said MHD recently hired seven to 10 employees with plans to hire another 10 in the next six to nine months as programmers, technicians, warehouse employees and management.

"It means that we're going to continue our exponential growth and get more bandwidth to help the community," he said.

MHD's climate-controlled facilities allow electronics to be redistributed and recertified for resale, according to the website. The company has a zero-landfill philosophy and tests all reconditioned products.

Many of MHD's employees have been with the company since 2009. Because Dadashi struggled with alcoholism, he said believes in hiring former addicts and those who need a second chance.

"That's been my formula for success—giving people second chances," he said. "We give them a chance to learn a new trade."

Not only does Dadashi believe in giving recovering addicts chances for employment, but he also encourages them to pursue their own business ventures, he said. Three of the company's previous employees who have started their own ventures now partner with MHD.

"A lot of my ex-employees have been trained in the reverse-logistics business," he said.

By keeping good relationships with former employees who start their own companies, MHD has been provided with an avenue for continued growth.

"It gives me this synergy to grow at a fast rate," Dadashi said.

Jennifer Gooding, a partner at Leverage Public Relations, said Dadashi's encouragement of employees to start their own businesses is a unique characteristic to have in the business world.

"I think he really empowers his business partners," Gooding said. "He truly cares about them."

Dadashi's goals for his company are to inspire people to recycle responsibly and to inspire other companies to follow its lead in helping the community. He said he wants to show that it is possible to volunteer and be successful in business at the same time.

MHD actively participates in food drives and volunteer work in Austin, and has donated computers and printers for a local sober recovery house to allow residents to search for jobs and to work, Dadashi said.

He said volunteering and speaking at both Austin Recovery and Benchmark Recovery Center is his true passion in life.

"That gives me the fuel I need to grow my business," he said.