Cary, N.C. — SAS set another record for revenues in 2010 despite the lingering global economic slowdown.

The privately held global software firm reported revenues of $2.43 billion for last year, an increase of 5.2 percent from 2009.

SAS also expanded its employee headcount by more than 2 percent. It employs more than 11,000 people worldwide.

Thursday was a big day for SAS in terms of recognition as well with Fortune magazine putting SAS as No. 1 on its best company to work list for the second consecutive year. SAS has made the list each of the 14 times Fortune has compiled it. Eight times SAS placed in the top 10.

"We delivered more software in 2010 than ever before in our history and grew our work force by 2.4 percent," said SAS co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Jim Goodnight. "Our employees are the lifeline of our success. As we enter our 36th year of business, we look forward to continuing our deep investment in employee satisfaction, wellness and creativity."

Defying a global recession, SAS reported a 34th consecutive year of revenue growth in 2009 when sales increased 2.2 percent to $2.31 billion.

SAS also avoided layoffs although it did make some internal adjustments in its work force.