We’ve got good news and bad news, and we doubt if the bad news will surprise anyone: Our 2009 Top Companies list of businesses that gross at least $20 million annually and are headquartered in Sarasota and Manatee features 73 companies—down from 89 in January 2008 and 97 in January 2007. The economy has taken its toll.

Construction companies have been facing the collapse of the housing market for nearly two years now, averaging a 12 percent revenue decrease in 2008 alone. And that’s not counting the handful of construction and real estate businesses that slipped below the $20 million mark. In January 2008, the number of construction, contracting and real estate companies made up 34 percent of our list; this year, they account for 27 percent. Nonetheless, builder Kellogg and Kimsey, which serves hospitality and retail clients across the country, posted one of the biggest gains on this year’s list, increasing revenues 24 percent from $93 million to $115 million.

The effects of the international economic crisis have spread to other local industries, as well. Retail, food/beverage and business services all averaged decreases in revenue. But even in this niche, some businesses prospered, including restaurant chain First Watch, which was singled out by Consumer Reports as best family chain restaurant in the country.

Any other good news? Manufacturing, the second largest industry on our list, after construction, continued to hold strong. Manufacturers averaged 8 percent gains, led by perennial Top Company Sun Hydraulics, which reached nearly $179 million in 2008 after grossing $167.4 million the previous year.

We’ve seen new Top Companies emerge this year, too, including PPi Technologies, Cyberwize.com and physicians supply distributor Mercedes Medical, which rode the rising tide of local healthcare companies (up an average of nearly 12 percent). Breaking onto our list with $21 million, Global Organics is taking advantage of a growing market for healthy and natural food.

While most economic forecasters are predicting that the recession will be over in 2009, they are also saying that recovery in Florida, especially in our region, will be slow. Many of the Top Company CEOs we spoke to shake off the doom-and-gloom attitude. As First Watch’s Ken Pendery told us: “I don’t have a lot of patience for negativity. I believe we can accomplish great things—that we can choose to be successful. I insist on that same optimism in the people around me.”

1 Vengroff Williams & Associates Inc.

(Sarasota) Credit and collections, subrogation claims, medical accounts payable, management of rental units in Sarasota and New York.

Chief executive: Mark Vengroff

2008 revenues: $2.4 billion (represents actual revenues after collections of $34.5 billion)

2007 revenues: $2.4 billion

Total employees: 1,100 worldwide; 306 locally

Founded: 1963

www.vwainc.com

2 Roper

(Sarasota) Manufactures energy systems and controls, scientific and industrial imaging products and software, industrial technology products, radio frequency products and others.

Chief executive: Brian D. Jellison

2008 revenues: Estimated, $2.1 billion

2007 revenues: $1.7 billion

Total employees: Estimated, 7,900; 15 locally

Founded: 1981

Stock symbol: NYSE: ROP

3  Beall’s

(Manatee) Retailer of family apparel, footwear, gifts and home items.

Chief executive: Stephen M. Knopik

2008 revenues: $1.2 billion

2007 revenues: $1.2 billion

Total employees: 11,628

Founded: 1915

www.beallsinc.com

Beall’s operates a mix of department and outlet stores in Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, California, Tennessee, Missouri, New Mexico and Arkansas.

4 Boar’s Head
Provisions Co. Inc.

(Sarasota) Manufactures premium delicatessen meats and cheeses.

Chief executive: Robert S. Martin

2008 revenues: $813 million

2007 revenues: Estimated, $813 million

Total employees: 129 locally; 2,215 companywide

Founded: 1905

www.boarshead.com

5 Intertape Polymer Group

(Manatee) Develops and manufactures specialized plastic and paper products and complementary packaging systems for industrial and retail use.

Chief executive: Melbourne Yull

2008 revenues: $802 million

2007 revenues: $802 million

Total employees: 2,600

Founded: 1981

Stock symbol: NYSE and TSE: ITP

www.Intertapepolymer.com

ISO 9002 certified, operations throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Portugal with 16 facilities, including 12 manufacturing locations.

6 Manatee Memorial Hospital

(Manatee) Licensed 319-bed
acute care hospital.

Chief executive: Moody L. Chisholm

2008 revenues: $672 million