Private Companies List Reflects Tough 2008

The annual list of Northwest Arkansas’ largest private companies was shorter this year as fewer companies reported their revenue figures for 2008.

Of the companies that did respond, some actually reported significant revenue increases in 2008.

Allens Inc. of Siloam Springs sold $735 million in canned and frozen vegetables, up 20.5 percent over the previous year’s figure of $610 million.

Simmons Foods Inc. of Siloam Springs had $780 million in revenue in 2008, a 19.6 percent increase over 2007’s figure of $652 million. The increase in revenue can be attributed to the poultry company’s purchase of Peterson Farms Inc. last June. Peterson Farms was number 13 on last year’s list with an estimated revenue of $128 million.

Montana Tractors Inc. of Springdale is also missing from the 2008 list as the company, ranked number 24 on last year’s list, consolidated its operations in Tarboro, N.C. in April. 

Central States Manufacturing of Lowell moved up to number 10 from number 12 on last year’s list, with a 52.3 percent increase in revenue over 2007.

Nearly half of the ranked companies experienced a decline in revenue, including Georges Inc., National Home Centers Inc., and Latco Inc.

Riverside Furniture Corp. of Fort Smith, saw a 29.6 percent drop in revenue in 2008. The company has also seen a significant drop in employees since announcing layoffs in January.