Three Triangle-Area Private Companies Lead the Statewide Listing
RALEIGH, N.C. — Grant Thornton and Business North Carolina have announced the 2004 North Carolina 100®, an annual ranking of the state's largest privately held companies. The list, which has been compiled by Grant Thornton and published by Business North Carolina for over 20 years, is featured in the October issue of the magazine.
Three Triangle-area companies topped the statewide list. Raleigh-based General Parts Inc., a distributor of auto parts; Cary-based SAS, the world's largest private software company; and Raleigh-based Golden Corral Corporation, a leading family restaurant system, were in the top three respectively. In total, 19 companies from the Triangle were included in the North Carolina 100®
"Grant Thornton is proud to partner with Business North Carolina on the publication of this esteemed list of companies that are helping to define North Carolina's future," said Mike McGuire, Managing Partner for Grant Thornton's Carolinas practice. "This year, we are pleased to announce RBC Centura as a new partner in this endeavor. Like Grant Thornton, RBC Centura is committed to the success of North Carolina companies. While the partnerships that support the North Carolina 100® provide a strong foundation, it is the participating companies on the list that drive its value."
Other Triangle-area companies include Clancy & Theys Construction Co. of Raleigh, Gregory Poole Equipment Company of Raleigh, Kimley Horn and Associates Inc. of Cary, Adco Global Inc. of Raleigh, East Coast Metal Distributors Inc. Durham, Southern Equipment Co. Raleigh, LC Ind Inc. of Durham, Mutual Distributing Company of Raleigh, Apple Gold Inc. of Raleigh, St. Lawrence Homes Inc. Raleigh, Captive-Aire Systems Inc. of Youngsville, Electrical Equipment Co. of Raleigh, Precision Walls Inc. of Raleigh, Sports Endeavors Inc. of Hillsborough, Specialized Vehicles Corp. of Cary and Southern Assisted Living Inc. of Chapel Hill.
The list ranks companies by 2003 revenue. Actual revenue is not disclosed, but companies are grouped by revenue ranges. General Parts is one of seven companies that reported revenue of $500 million or more. There were just five companies listing revenues above $500 million the year before. The other six companies, in order of ranking, are SAS, Golden Corral Corp., Asheboro-based Klaussner Furniture Industries Inc., National Gypsum Co., a Charlotte-based maker of gypsum wallboard products, Parkdale Mills of Gastonia and National Textiles LLC of Winston-Salem.
Rounding out the top ten are, in order of ranking, Goldsboro-based Goldsboro Milling Company, a processor of meats and feeds, Sanford-based J.T. Davenport & Sons Inc., a food distributor and Kinston-based Hillco Ltd., a nursing-home operator. All three reported revenue between $250 million and $499 million.
About Business North Carolina
Business North Carolina is a Charlotte-based statewide monthly magazine that focuses on the people, events and trends that shape business in North Carolina. Since it was established in 1981, it has won more than 60 national awards for its writing, reporting and design.
About Grant Thornton LLP
Grant Thornton International is the world's leading accounting, tax and business advisory organization dedicated to midsize companies. Through its network of 585 offices in 110 countries, including 48 offices in the United States, partners of the member firms of Grant Thornton provide personal attention and seamless service delivery to public and private clients around the globe. Grant Thornton Carolinas has regional offices in Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh, N.C. and Columbia, S.C. Grant Thornton LLP's Web site is www.GrantThornton.com.
