Pat Haire
TAKING STOCK
10 of our top companies are listed on Nasdaq, 1 on the NYSE and 2 on the OTC.
7. Intertape Polymer Group, ITP on NYSE and TSE
10. Central European Distribution Corporation, CEDC on Nasdaq
11. Edwards Systems Technology, SPW on Nasdaq
14. Gevity HR, Inc., GVHR on Nasdaq
18. Sysco Food Services-West Coast FL Inc., SYY on Nasdaq
21. Correctional Services Corp., CSCQ on Nasdaq
38. L-3 Communications, Aviation Recorders, LLL on Nasdaq
41. Sun Hydraulics, SNHY on Nasdaq
44. Teltronics, Inc., TELT on OTC
46. Comdial Corporation, CMDZ on OTC
49. Eaton Aerospace, ETN on Nasdaq
91. Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. Florida Div., OTRKB on Nasdaq
92. Teleflex Electrical Systems Division, TFX on NYSE
BY THE NUMBERS
The bulk of our list is comprised of homebuilding and construction companies and those devoted to manufacturing goods. Here's how the numbers break down.
Agriculture 2.7%
Distributor 2.7%
Food 6 %
Healthcare 8%
Homebuilding/Construction 26%
Hospitality 2.7%
Manufacturing 28%
Marine 1.3%
Non-profit 2%
Publishing 1.3%
Retail 2.7%
Wholesale 1.3%
Other 15.3%
10 BIGGEST REVENUE GAINS
Rank Company Percentage Increase
Sysco Food Services-West Coast FL 149.0
National In-Store 51.2
Shannon Resort & Club Group, Inc. 48.7
Central European Distribution Corp. 41.2
Pruett Builders 29.4
John Cannon Homes 29.0
Ajax Paving Industries 28.6
Aso Corporation 25.0
Frederick Derr & Co. 25.0
PGT Industries 23.8
BIGGEST REVENUE LOSSES
Rank Company Percentage Decrease
ParView, Inc. 44.4
Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. Florida Div. 37.5
Nelson Publishing, Inc. 33.3
Trilectron Industries, Inc. 31.7
Comdial Corporation 26.1
Cook Spring Company, Inc. 25.0
Bruce Williams Homes 19.8
McIntyre Elwell & Strammer 18.7
McDaniel Trading, Inc. 16.7
In our January issue, the list stopped with the top 100 companies. Here are even more.
101. Pruett Builders, Inc.
Design/build custom home builder specializing in the luxury residential market from $400,000 and up
Chief Executive: Brian J. Pruett
Annual Sales: $22 million
($17 million)
Employees: 19
Founded: 1977
Web Site: www.pruettbuilders.com
Won a "Best in American Living Award" for Best Home Design; won a "National Energy Value Gold Medal" for energy efficiency; has won 21 Aurora Awards from the Southeast Builders Conference; builder of the American Lung Association Health House of Florida.
102. ETCO Automotive Products (Manatee)
Manufactures spark plug terminals and rubber boots for ignition-wire manufacturers
Chief Executive: Bob Altomonte
Annual Sales: $20 million
($20 million)
Employees: 105
Founded: 1979
Web Site: www.etco.com
Registered to QS-9000, ISO-9002.
$10-$19 Million
103. LexJet Corporation
Provides innovative product solutions for business, government and educational institutions that produce large and small format color images
Chief Executives: Art Lambert and Ron Simkins
Annual Sales: $19.5 million
($16 million)
Employees: 37
Founded: 1994
Web Site: www.lexjet.com
Ranked 48th in Inc. Magazine's top 500 companies; has experienced a 36 percent five-year average annual growth and eight consecutive years of profitability. Its teams actively support community organizations.
104. American Torch Tip Co. (Manatee)
Welding apparatus
Chief Executive: John Walters
Annual Sales: $19 million
($19 million)
Employees: 180
Founded: 1940
Web Site: www.americantorchtip.com
Recently invested in $1-million high output, computerized equipment.
105. Miles Media Group
Tourism information
Chief Executive: Roger W. Miles
Annual Sales: $16.5 million
($17 million)
Employees: 93
Founded: 1954
Web Site: www.milesmedia.com
The largest company of its type in the country that services only Florida, Tennessee and Massachusetts.
106. Gibraltar Homes, Inc.
Custom home builder
Chief Executives: Jerry Blumberg and Albert A. Sanchez Jr.
Annual Sales: $16 million
($16 million)
Employees: 19
Founded: 1995
Web Site: www.gibraltarhome.com
"Best Overall" winner at 2003 Parade of Homes for Toscana and San Michele models; recently introduced new two-story bonus room design at Mizner Reserve; exclusive builder for new Lakewood Ranch subdivision Riviera; frequent contributor to area charities.
107. Mercedes Medical Inc. (Manatee)
National distributor of medical products to physician offices, clinical laboratories and hospitals worldwide
Chief Executives: Mark Burton and Noelle A. Haft
Annual Sales: Estimated, $16 million
($16.4 million)
Employees: 40
Founded: 1993
Web Site: www.mddepot.com
Named by Inc. Magazine one of the nation's fastest growing private companies for 2001 and 2002; ranked by Florida Business Journal as one of the state's 100 fastest growing companies in 2001.
108. Intershow
Produces trade shows, symposiums and investment cruises
Chief Executives: Charles and Kim Githler
Annual Sales: $15.3 million
($12.5 million)
Employees: 48
Founded: 1978
Web Site: www.intershow.com
Largest producer of investment trade shows held in Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco and New York; recently acquired Laguna Hills, California-based Traders' Expo; produces seminars at sea for Forbes, Morningstar, Hillsdale College Phillips Publishing; named the philanthropic organization of the year in 2000.
109. Partners In Practice
Physician practice management, billing and accounts receivables, transcription, information systems and compliance
Chief Executives: Thomas E. Blakenship and Karen V. Vale
Annual Sales: Estimated, $15 million-plus
(Estimated, $15 million-plus)
Employees: 70
Founded: 2000
Web Site: www.partnerspractice.com
Member of HBMA.
110. Schroeder Manatee Ranch, Inc. (Manatee)
Real estate development, agriculture and aggregate mining
Chief Executive: C. John A. Clarke
Annual Sales: Estimated, $15 million-plus
(Estimated, $60 million)
Employees: 375
Founded: 1922
Web Site: www.lakewoodranch.com
Best in American Living Award for the best master-planned community in America; Grand Aurora for Best Community with over 150 units; Reader's Choice and Reader's Preference Awards for Best Community from readers of both the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Bradenton Herald; excellence grand award for Lakewood Ranch clubhouse from the National Commercial Builders Council.
111. Cook Spring Company, Inc.
Manufactures precision springs and wire forms for the medical, electrical and high-tech industrial market
Chief Executive: Randall A. Cook
Annual Sales: $15 million
($20 million)
Employees: 75
Founded: 1954
Web Site: www.cookspring.com
112. McDaniel Trading Inc.
Buys edible by-products from food and fiber processors and markets them to dairy farms and feed mills in the eastern U.S.
Chief Executive: Rick McDaniel
Annual Sales: $15 million
($18 million)
Employees: Eight
Founded: 1996
E-mail: rmac_mcdaniel@comcast.net
McDaniel Trading has been one of the most successful livestock feed trading companies in the eastern U.S. for the past seven years.
113. Trident Building Systems, Inc. (Manatee)
Designs, manufactures and erects pre-engineered metal buildings, metal roof systems, light gauge steel trusses and structural steel fabrications
Chief Executive: Carl Petrat
Annual Sales: $15 million
($15.6 million)
Employees: 165
Founded: 1978; incorporated 1982
Web Site: www.tridentbuildingsystems.com
Currently operating from a state-of-the-art corporate office with 15,000 square feet of office space and 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space; created one of the top seven pre-engineered metal buildings of the year for 2002, according to Metal Architecture Magazine.
114. Diocese of Venice
Catholic church
Controller: Mary Moore
Annual Sales: Estimated, $15 million
Employees: Estimated, 900
Founded: 1985
115. Hotel Associates of Sarasota, Ltd. (Owner) Hyatt Corporation (operator)
Hyatt Sarasota Hotel
Chief Executives: Stephen Mehas, General Manager for Hyatt Corp.; Charles Githler, president Hotel Associates
Annual Sales: $14 million
($15.1 million)
Employees: 250
Founded: Locally owned since 1994
Web Site: www.hyatt.com/usa/sarasota/hotels/hotel_srqss.html
Recent $1.5-million renovations include a giant lagoon pool, deck, grand pool bar, a three-story waterfall and Florida function room; with these improvements, Hyatt owners' investment total $12 million in property-wide renovations.
116. Take Care of Sarasota, Inc.
The region's largest locally owned private duty home health care provider
Chief Executive: Susanne S. Wise, RN, MBA
Annual Sales: $14 million
($13 million)
Employees: 600
Founded: 1995
Web Site: www.takecarehomehealth.com
2003 finalist for Sarasota Herald-Tribune Readers Choice award for best home health care provider.
117. Kanes of Sarasota
Home furnishings and interior design
Chief Executive: Edward Kalin
Annual Sales: $13.5 million
($13.5 million)
Employees: 75
Founded: 1949
Web Site: www.kanesofsarasota.net
Provides total shopping environment with complex of shops including restaurants, beauty, exercise studio and gallery; named "Best Furniture Store" by Sarasota Herald-Tribune Readers' Choice Awards nine years in a row.
118. Medical Education Technologies, Inc.
Manufactures surgical instruments and apparatus
President: Lou Oberndorf
Annual Sales: Estimated, $13.2 million
Employees: Estimated, 100
Founded: 1996
119. Moreland Company USA
Imports and wholesales plywood, lumber and furniture
Chief Executive: Christopher V. Grzep Sr.
Annual Sales: $13 million
($11 million)
Employees: Nine
Founded: 1985
Web Site: www.morelandcompany.com
120. PPi Technologies, Inc.
Manufactures and supplies standup pouch machinery and Fine CuisineT microwave smart device trays
Chief Executive: R. Charles Murray
Annual Sales: $13 million
($12 million)
Employees: 17
Founded: 1996
Web Site: www.ppitechnologies.com
Ranked No. 1 in the Tampa Bay "Fast 50"; ranked No. 139 in Forbes "500 Technology Companies"; ranked in "Top 75 Woman-Owned" businesses in Florida.
121. Exprix Technologies, L.P. (Manatee)
Develops and markets performance and specialty chemicals for imaging, electronics, automotive and pharmacology
Chief Executive: Philip W. Nace Jr.
Annual Sales: $12.9 million
($12.7 million)
Employees: 16
Founded: 1993
Web Site: www.esprixtech.com
122. Petz Custom Homes, Inc. (Manatee)
Home builder/developer
Chief Executive: Todd Petzoldt
Annual Sales: $12.5 million
($12.5 million)
Employees: 15
Founded: 1990
E-mail: petzcustomhomes@aol.com
Winner of the Best in American Living Award, the nation's foremost residential design award for design quality; two-time Aurora Award winner for building and design excellence in the southeastern United States; currently developing and building "Tuscana."
123. KHS-Bartelt, Inc.
Manufactures pouching machines, fillers, bag makers, fill and seal machines, cartoners, product transfers and side seam gluers
Chief Executive: Reno N. Cruz
Annual Sales: Estimated, $12.5 million
($20 million)
Employees: 80
Founded: 1942
Web Site: www.barteltinc.com
Markets include food, snacks, beverage, pharmaceutical, personal care and medical devices.
124. Coach House, Inc.
Manufactures luxury fiberglass class "O" 23-foot, 27-foot and 29-foot motorhomes
Chief Executive: David Gerzeny
Annual Sales: $12 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: 58
Founded: 1986
Web Site: www.coachhouserv.com
125. Fred M. Starling, Inc.
Commercial construction and development
Chief Executive: Fred M. Starling
Annual Sales: $12 million
Employees: 20
Founded: 1981
Web Site: www.starling-group.com
126. Kemick Construction Company (Manatee)
Construction company specializing in custom, energy-efficient, single-family homes
Chief Executive: Lawrence Kemick
Annual Sales: $12 million
Employees: 7
Founded: 1988
Web Site: www.kemickhomes.com
Winner of 1998, 2000 and 2002 Grand Aurora for most energy-efficient home and winner of 1999, 2001 and 2003 Aurora for energy efficiency; awarded the "Superior Award for Energy and Environment Efficient New Home Construction" by Univeristy of Florida for past six years; winner of FPL's "Energy Efficient Builder Award" for past seven years.
127. Valcourt Building Services (Manatee)
Remedial painting and waterproofing contractor
Chief Executive: Dan Short
Annual Sales: $12 million
($12 million)
Employees: 125
Founded: 1986
Web Site: www.valcourt.net
128. King Plastic Corporation
Manufactures heavy-guage and large-sized polypropylenes, polyethylenes and engineered polyolefins
President: Thomas M. King
Annual Sales: Estimated, $11.5 million
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: Estimated, 100
Founded: 1968
Web Site: www.kingplastic.com
129. Sun Coast Beef & Provision Inc. (Manatee)
Wholesale poultry, beef and pork, and cold storage
President: Dave Cole
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10.4 million
($12 million)
Employees: Estimated, 25
Founded: 1952
130. Commercial Refrigerator Door Co.
Manufactures insulated glass for doors and shelving
President: Jeff Winsler
Annual Sales: $10 million-plus
(Estimated $25 million)
Employees: Estimated, 120
Founded: 1975
Web Site: www.styleline.com
131. Nelson Publishing, Inc.
Publishes monthly, business-to-business trade magazines
Chief Executive: Vern Nelson
Annual Sales: $10 million-plus
($15 million)
Employees: 68
Founded: 1962
Web Site: www.nelsonpub.com
Nelson has seven national, business-to-business magazines in the electronics engineering, manufacturing, communications technology, design engineering and healthcare industries.
132. Suncoast Bakeries, Inc. dba St. Armands Baking Co.
Wholesale bakery specializing in serving the food service industry throughout Florida with low-packing and private-label procucts
Chief Executive: Bernard Vroom
Annual Sales: $10 million-plus
Employees: 100
Founded: 1981
Web Site: www.starbake.com
Recently completed a $3.5-million expansion.
133. AAA Architectural Elements and Coatings (Manatee)
Manufactures urethane coated and styrothane architectural products
President: Richard Cary
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
Employees: Estimated, 45
Founded: 1988
134. Cox Lumber Co.
Manufactures and retails wooden floors, roof trusses, wooden and metal doors and building materials
General Manager: David Brown
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: Estimated, 85
Founded: 1970
Web Site: www.coxlumber.com
Operates 29 locations throughout Florida.
135. Glenroe Technologies (Manatee)
Manufactures quality orthodontic products
Chief Executive: John Bozman
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: 110
Founded: 1984
Web Site: www.glenroe.com
ISO 9002 certified; nominated in 2000 and 2001 for Industry of the Year for Manatee County.
136. Honeycomb Company of America (Manatee)
Manufactures aircraft replacement parts
Chief Executive: Dan G. Judge Jr.
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: Estimated, 100
Founded: 1948
E-mail HCOA@compuserve.com
137. IMG Academies (Manatee)
Multi-sport training academy
Chief Executives: Ted Meekma and Greg Breunich
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: 200
Founded: 1978 as the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy; purchased by IMG in 1987
Web Site: www.imgacademies.com
The largest multi-sport training academy in the world; includes the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, The Soccer, Baseball, and Basketball Academies, the International Performance Institute, and the Boca Raton-based Evert Tennis Academy; the complex consists of 10,000 students from 70 countries.
138. JIT Glass & Mirror (Manatee)
Manufactures glass and mirrors
President: Jason Suzor
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
Employees: Estimated, 55
Founded: 1998
139. Key Packaging Co., Inc.
Custom plastic vacuum and thermo-forming manufacturer
Chief Executive: Earl Smith
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
(Estimated, $10 million-plus)
Employees: Estimated, 85
Founded: 1970
Web Site: www.keypackaging.com
ISO 9001 compliant; SPI Tina Award winner.
140. Superior Heating & Cooling, Inc.
Sheet metal fabricating, air conditioning and duct work equipment
Vice President: Edward Dieker
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
Employees: Estimated, 100
Founded: 1958
141. Water Equipment Services, Inc.
Manufactures water treatment equipment and odor control scrubbers
President: Anthony DeLoach
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
Employees: Estimated, 70
Founded: 2000
142. Wire-Pro, Inc.
Manufactures wire harnesses, cable assemblies and panels, fiber optics and landscape lighting
Regional Sales Manager: Mark Kichar
Annual Sales: Estimated, $10 million-plus
Employees: Estimated, 150
Founded: 1971
143. Casual Creations
Manufactures aluminum casual furniture
Chief Executive: Arthur James Jr.
Annual Sales: $10 million
Employees: 100
Founded: 1979
Web Site: www.casualcreations.com
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2004.
144. Goodwill Industries-Manasota,Inc.
Social services agency
Chief Executive: the Rev. Donald L. Roberts
Annual Sales: $10 million
Employees: 340
Founded: 1971
Web Site: www.goodwillindustries.org
145. ParView, Inc.
Provider in-cart GPS management systems for golf courses across the U.S. and world
Chief Executive: Scott Myers
Annual Sales: $10 million
($18 million)
Employees: 40
Founded: 1994
Web Site: www.parview.com
Parview recently partnered with Yamaha Golf Cars.
And here's a behind-the-scenes look at some of our top executives and why their companies are so successful.
FIRST WATCH
In Consumer Reports' 2003 ranking of best meals and deals, First Watch received the highest reader score in any category and the best rating for overall value, knocking off the previous top seed in the "family restaurant" category. Take that, Cracker Barrel (last year's winner).
The company started out in Sarasota barely 20 years ago, and CEO Kenneth Pendery admits, "In the beginning, it was extremely difficult introducing a new concept: breakfast, brunch and lunch." But the dining public finally caught on, and today the company operates 49 First Watch restaurants throughout the Southeast and plans to open five new ones every year.
How does he keep up the pace? "We are consistent," answers Pendery. "We offer great food at a good price. We offer a great quality of life for our employees and we have no intention of changing that." Or of branching out to the evenings. Says Pendery, "We would much rather open a new First Watch serving breakfast, brunch and lunch than one that serves dinner." -Pat Haire
GEVITY HR
Erik Vonk is a happy CEO. At a time when many companies are still struggling to return to profitability levels of three years ago, Vonk's Bradenton-based Gevity HR-one of the area's largest public companies with close to 1,000 employees (500 in Bradenton)-watched its stock price rise by 460 percent in 12 months. Revenues increased 20 percent from $310 million to $375 million.
Gevity's strength is even more impressive when you remember that only 2 1/2 years ago, it was Staff Leasing, a company struggling to survive. Today, Gevity has a client roster of 6,000 companies and operates in 11 states. Last year was its first full year as an HR outsourcer, completing its transition from insurance and employee benefit-related services to providing the full range of human resources services, everything from benefits to payroll to hiring to writing employee handbooks.
Human resources outsourcing is growing national trend, and Gevity's potential for growth in existing and new markets is vast, Vonk says. Right now, the company is looking for a new home of about 100,000 square feet. "Our lease expires in 2005," he says, "but we will stay in the general area. We've looked at commuting patterns and we don't want to upset too many lives."-Susan Burns
HOTEL ASSOCIATES OF SARASOTA, LTD.
OWNER, HYATT SARASOTA
The Hyatt Sarasota, like Sarasota's hospitality industry in general, has been tossed about by "the perfect storm," says Hotel Associates of Sarasota president Charles Githler: a national recession that began in early 2001, the aftershocks of 9/11, and, locally, the introduction of the Ritz-Carlton and greatly expanded Radisson Lido Beach Resort. Hyatt Sarasota revenues for the past 12 months were $14 million, versus $15.1 million the year before. But, with advance bookings climbing, "there's no question we've passed the lull and we're in somewhat of a recovery," Githler says. To position itself for the coming revival, the Hyatt has invested $12.3 million over the past three years in the renovation of all 297 rooms, a new ballroom, pool, parking deck, and landscaping. That's almost as much as the company paid for the hotel nine years ago. Importantly, Githler points out, these tough times for the hospitality industry have had "a political impact. Everyone from retirees to politicians has stopped taking [the positive economic impact of] tourism for granted."-Ilene Denton