The Private 150: Bigger But Leaner


BY KIM MOORE

Total revenue increased at Oregon’s top 150 private companies, but the number of employees continues to decline as firms downsize in the post-recession economy.

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BY KIM MOORE

This year’s Private 150 achieved solid growth, with most sectors showing an upsurge in revenues as the economy enters a gradual recovery.

Two companies entered the top 10 that were not on the list last year: Forest City Trading Group (No. 2) of Portland and Les Schwab Tire Centers (No. 5) of Bend. Hoffman Corporation, a general contractor, was knocked into the No. 3 spot from second place last year. Portland-based manufacturer ESCO Corporation fell to No. 8 from the No. 5 spot in 2013. EPIC Aviation, which was No. 6 last year, moved down to No. 11, with Knowledge Universe-United States, an early education provider, taking the No. 6 position on this year’s list. JELD-WEN, a door and window manufacturer, remained in the No. 1 spot of the Private 150, where it has been since 1996.

The construction industry dominates this year’s list, with 20 companies represented, followed by manufacturing at 16 and auto sales at 15. More modern sectors are also gaining ground. Software and technology firms had 10 companies making the list this year, up 150% from 2013. Retail companies went up by 56%, manufacturing by 14% and auto sales by 15%.

The biggest decline is in forest products. The troubled sector, which is starting to rebound as the economy recovers, has 10 companies in the Private 150, down by 33% from 2013.

Twenty companies that were not on the roster in 2013 made it onto the list this year. Newcomers include Portland-based commercial landowner Menashe Properties (150) and the 124-year-old paint manufacturer and retailer Miller Paint (95).

Some firms fell off the lineup this year because of bankruptcy. Aircraft operator Evergreen Aviation, which ranked No. 10 in 2013, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on December 31, 2013. C&K Market, a grocery chain serving customers in rural Oregon and Northern California, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November after finding it hard to compete with larger grocery stores. The company, which maintains two-thirds of its 60 stores while it restructures debt, ranked No. 19 last year.

Fifteen companies climbed 10 or more spots. The biggest advancer is Bookbyte, an online retailer of new and used textbooks. The Salem company, which offers college students the opportunity to rent textbooks and sell books for cash, moved to No. 79 from No. 115 in 2013.

 Total revenue for this year’s 150 companies was $36.8 billion, an 8% increase over last year’s. Average revenue was $245 million, an 8% increase over last year. The Private 150 includes companies that did not make it onto the list last year, as well as four companies that are ranked based on last year’s revenue figures. So for a more accurate picture of revenue growth over the past two years, we looked at total revenue growth for the 126 companies for which we have figures from the past two years. For companies in this group, total revenue grew by 4%.

Software and technology had the strongest revenue growth of all sectors in the Private 150, increasing by 20% compared with 2013. Forest products grew by 18%, retail grew by 10%, auto sales by 7% and manufacturing by 2%. Construction was the worst-performing industry, with revenue declining by 6%.

Women constitute only 6% of senior executives in this year’s Private 150, proving a glass ceiling is still entrenched for women holding senior positions in the for-profit sector.

This year’s Private 150 provided 46,323 jobs in Oregon and 129,283 total. The number of Oregon employees declined by 3.4% over last year, a sign that businesses in the state continue to slim their workforces despite the economic recovery. But Oregon’s unemployment rate in the private sector is improving. Since April 2013, the private sector has added 41,000 jobs in Oregon, a 3% gain, according to the Oregon Employment Department. Construction added 8,000 jobs, an 11% gain. Professional services and business services added 8,500 jobs, a 4% increase. As the economy improves, Oregon’s largest private companies may be encouraged to start adding to their workforces once again.


The Private 150 is compiled based on a confidential survey of annual revenue Oregon Business sends out to hundreds of private for-profit companies headquartered in Oregon. Those that respond are ranked by annual revenue without revealing actual figures. Go to www.oregonbusiness.com/p150_update to submit your company for the list.


 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
MORE THAN $1 BILLION
11JELD-WENjeld-wen.comKirk Hachigian2000025001960Manufacturer of windows and doors
2NRForest City Trading Group fctg.com Craig Johnston4001351964Forest products marketing firm
32Hoffman Corporationhoffmancorp.comWayne Drinkward4573661922General contracting firm
44Moda Healthmodahealth.comRobert G. Gootee138113331991Provider of dental and medical insurance plans
5NR Les Schwab Tire Centerslesschwab.comDick Borgman650016001952Tire store
63Knowledge Universe – United Stateskueducation.com/usTom Wyatt3100010511983Early education provider
77Hampton Affiliateshamptonaffiliates.comSteven J. Zika14006801942Forest products firm
85ESCO Corporationescocorp.comCalvin W. Collins47008401913Developer and manufacturer of wear parts
99Roseburg Forest Productsroseburg.comAllyn C. Ford285022391936Forest products firm
107Reser’s Fine Foods resers.comMark Reser50005001959Manufacturer of refrigerated food brands to restuarants and supermarkets
116EPIC Aviation epicaviationllc.comBill Conley98781939Aviation fuel supplier

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
$250 MILLION – $1 BILLION
1212Columbia Distributingcoldist.comGregg Christiansen240011001935Malt beverage, wine and non-alcoholic distributor
1313Bi-Mart Corporationbimart.comMarty W. Smith330027001955Discount shopping store
1411Western Family Foodswesternfamily.comRon King67661963Food label buying and marketing firm
1514M Financial Groupmfin.comFred H. Jonske2002001978Financial services design and distributor
1617Ron Tonkin Family of Dealershipstonkin.comBrad Tonkin, Ed Tonkin8598501960Auto dealer
1716R.B. Pamplin Corporationpamplin.org/corporationDr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr.460010001957Conglomerate
1820Carson Oil carsonoil.comLance C. Woodbury2452431957Fuel supplier
1921TEC Equipmenttectrucks.comDavid A. Thompson7601961976Full service truck dealership
2038S.D. Deacon Corporationdeacon.comSteve Deacon320831981General contracting firm
2122Harder Mechanical Contractorshardermech.comSteve Harder9707111934Construction company
2231Consumer Cellular consumercellular.comJohn Marick7895731995Provider of no contract cell phones
2334Andersen Constructionandersen-const.comDavid Andersen4022501950Construction company
2429R2C Groupr2cgroup.comMichelle Cardinal and Tim O’Leary1951231998Advertising agency
2528Farwest Steel Corporationfarweststeel.comPat Eagen7502901956Provider of steel products
TIE 2633Parr Lumber Companyparr.comJames Boyer, Steven P. Johnson5374051930Building and finish materials firm
TIE 2626A-dec a-dec.comScott Parrish10509501964Provider of dental equipment
TIE 2625Keen*keenfootwear.comSteve Meineke2251602003Outdoor footwear and apparel retailer
2942Swanson Groupswansongroupinc.comSteve Swanson8408401951Forest products firm
3032Tumac Lumber Companytumac.comBrad McMurchie100801959Wood products sourcing and marketing firm
3124Lanphere Enterprises buybob.comRobert D. Lanphere6254531966Automotive and motorcycle dealership
3227WSCO Petroleum Corporationwscopetroleum.comR.W. Dyke4403501970Retail and wholesale petroleum and real estate investment company
3344Shelter Productsshelter-products.comJoe Beechler100601948Distributor of lumber, plywood and building materials to contractors

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
$150 MILLION – $250 MILLION
3430Fortis Construction fortisconstruct.comJim Kilpatrick96962003Construction manager/general contractor
3543Columbia Helicopterscolheli.comMichael A. Fahey8504251957Helicoptor operations in oil and gas, government services  and forestry 
3637Harsch Investment Propertiesharsch.comJordan Schnitzer2261161950Real estate investment, development and property manager
3745Collins collinswood.comEric Schooler7064271855Wood products supplier
3841Plaid Pantries plaidpantry.comWilliam “Chris” Girard8007701963Convenience store operator
3940Stoel Rivesstoel.comRobert Van Brocklin8143601904Law firm
4039Sherm’s Thunderbird Market shermsmarkets.comSherman Olsrud6156151967Retail grocery store operator
4155Jubitz Corporationjubitz.comFrederick D. Jubitz1911681952Fuel and fuel manager
4246Membrane Holdings entek.comLarry Keith4453152007Provider of lead acid separators and engineering services
4335Walsh Construction walshconstructionco.comRobert S. Walsh2991781961Housing construction firm
4452Leatherman Tool Group leatherman.comBen Rivera14434981983Designer and maker of multi-purpose tools, knives and flashlights
4548Capitol Auto Groupcapitolauto.comScott Casebeer2292291927Auto dealer
4649Tyree Oil tyreeoil.comRonald L. Tyree85851988Distributor of petroleum products
4753Consolidated Supply Co.consolidatedsupply.comKarla Neupert Hockley3301851928Wholesale distributor of plumbing, waterworks and hydronic heating products
4850Shari’s Management Corporationsharis.comBruce MacDiarmid337315971978Restaurant chain
4951Carr Auto Group*carrauto.comBrad Preble2692281941Auto dealer
50NRTripwire tripwire.comJames B. Johnson3962361997Provider of risk-based security and compliance solutions
51NRDutch Bros. Coffeedutchbros.comTravis Boersma220010701992Drive thru coffee chain

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
$100 MILLION – $150 MILLION
5254Willamette Dental Groupwillamettedental.comEugene C. Skourtes DMD10015651970Provider of dental care, dental insurance and lab services
5355Market of Choice marketofchoice.comRichard L. Wright Jr.8508501988Chain of eight grocery stores
5458Willamette Valley Companywilvaco.comJohn Harrison3901251952Manufacturer and distributer of specialty urethanes and adhesives
5562David Evans and Associates deainc.comAl A. Barkouli7483041976Architectural and engineering firm
5660Wentworth Auto Groupwentworthautos.comBob Wentworth, Greg Wentworth1571571903Auto dealer
5759Bright Wood Corporationbrightwood.comDallas Stovall7857251960Manufacturer of wood components
5869DSU – Peterbilt & GMC dsutrucks.comJan Yost1891591945Seller of new trucks, parts and service
5965Zimmer Gunsel Frasca Architectszgf.comTed Hyman4832191942Architectural planning and interior design firm
6057Combined Transport combinedtransport.comMichael S. Card2862701980Transporter of building materials, lumber and flat glass
6161Freres Lumber Co.frereslumber.comRobert Freres4004001922Manufacturer of wood products
6264Touchmarktouchmark.comWerner G. Nistler Jr.16001601980Retirement community
6363Oregon Freeze Dry ofd.comJim Merryman5005001968Branded food manufacturer
6475Arbor Custom Homesarborhomes.comDennis Sackhoff43431988Homebuilder and developer
6572Sunset Porsche Audisunsetporscheaudi.comRob Roseta1251251980Vehicle dealer and car maintenance
66NRAequitas Capital Managementaequitascapital.comRobert Jesenik1461201993Alternative investment management and private equity firm
6768Royal Moore Auto Centerroyalmoore.comRoyal Moore II1351301967Auto dealer
6877Guaranty RV guaranty.comHerbert N. Nill2202201966Recreational vehicle deadlership
6973R&H Constructionrhconst.comJohn Bradley1871871979Builder of commercial construction projects

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
$75 MILLION – $100 MILLION
7074Landmark Ford Lincolnlandmarkford.comJim Corliss1981961979Auto dealer
7171NAVEX Globalnavexglobal.comShanti Atkins and Bon Conlin4461721999Ethics and compliance software provider
7295Morrow Equipment Company morrow.comChristian Chalupny344601968Distributor of tower cranes
7399Viewpoint Construction Softwareviewpointcs.comBenjamin Ertischek4642281976Software provider for construction companies
7466Northwest Pump & Equipment Co.nwpump.comGregg Miller2991471959Sales and service of petroleum, industrial and car wash equipment
TIE 7570McDonald Wholesale Co.mcdonaldwhsl.comGary Thomsen1171161928Institutional foodservice wholesaler
TIE 7578Rodda Paint Co.roddapaint.comBill Boone3171611932Paint manufacturer
7776LCG Pence Construction lcgpence.comTerry Loerke, Paul Schulz, Dave Hays60601949Commercial general contractor
78NRDeschutes Brewerydeschutesbrewery.comGary Fish4033511988Brewery
79115Bookbytebookbyte.comBryan Hockett65651999Online retailer of new and used textbooks
8086Walter E. Nelson Companywalterenelson.comMichael E. Nelson 4053201945Janitorial and paper supply distributer

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
$50 MILLION – $75 MILLION
8181Oregon Canadian Forest Productsocfp.comWayne Holm1651201977Manufacturer and distributer of clear lumber products
82NRWeston Buick-GMC-KIAwestondealerships.comJay B. Weston1031031975Auto dealership and service
83101Gorilla Capital gorillacapital.comJohn Helmick35222006Valuer and buyer of real estate
8493Allegro Media Groupallegromediagroup.comJoseph Micallef250801981Distributor and marketer of entertainment products
8587Omega Morganomegamorgan.comJohn McCalla3002001991Large-scale moving operator
8685Slayden Construction Group*slayden.comGreg Huston1141141984Construction firm
8783Schwabe Williamson & Wyattschwabe.comDavid F. Bartz Jr.3492691892Law firm
8888Rogers Machinery Companyrogers-machinery.comGeorge M. Schmeltzer2081111949Industrial equipment supplier
8992The Portland Clinictheportlandclinic.comMichael Schwab4934931921Health clinic
9089Independent Dispatch independentdispatch.comGregory M. Gilbert/Michael D. Gilbert81751980Freight transportation services and trucking
9179Sherman Bros Heavy Truckingshermantrucking.comBart Sherman3681421970Transporter and broker of steel, building materilas, flat glass, chemicals
92100Earl & Brownearlbrown.com Chuck Taylor32271967Wholesale distributor and internet-fulfilment drop-ship service provider of consumer goods, wireless accessories
9391Alpenrose Dairyalpenrose.comCarl Cadonau Jr.1331331916Milk supplier
94NRThe Clymbtheclymb.com  Kelly Dachtler99932009Offers insider pricing information on outdoor gear
95NRMiller Paintmillerpaint.comSteve Dearborn3552371890Paint supplier
9694Coho Servicescohoserv.comKevin White6524031982Hotel management company
97110Patrick Lumber Companypatlbr.comDave Halsey44211915Lumber provider
TIE 98102CompView compview.comScott Birdsall150601987Audio visual design and engineering firm
TIE 98NRGenesis Financial Solutionsgenesis-fs.comIrving Levin99992001Specialty consumer finance company
10090West One Automotive Grouphertznw.comTed Anderson1311011976Auto dealer
10197Allied Systems Companyalliedsystems.comLewis A. Rink3753651976Engineers and manufactures heavy lift and material handling equipment
102105Cascade Wood Productscascadewood.comGary Moore4002601953Maker and designer of wood mouldings
103107Vernier Software & Technology vernier.comDavid Vernier96951981Software maker
104112Butler Automotive Groupbutlerman.comCharles Butler Jr.78781976Auto dealer
105103Smith Frozen Foods smithfrozenfoods.comGary S. Crowder8008001936Producer of frozen vegetables

 

 

RANK
2014
RANK
2013
COMPANYWEB ADDRESSSENIOR EXECUTIVE TOTAL
EMPLOYEES 
OREGON EMPLOYEES YEAR ESTABLISHED DESCRIPTION
LESS THAN $50 MILLION
106NRRenaissance Homesrenaissance-homes.comRandy Sebastian26261984Home builder specializing in green buildings.
TIE 107113Miller Nash millernash.comKieran Curley2391721873Business and litigation law firm
TIE 107125Turf Merchants turfmerchants.comSteven P. Tubbs 991983Developer, producer and marketer of turf and forage grass seeds
109118Windermere Stellarwindermereportland.comBrian Allen48421972Real estate company
TIE 110NREmerick Construction Co.emerick.comCorey Lohman45451943Renovator of historic, civic and cultural facilities
TIE 110114Stash Teastashtea.comTom Lisicki300751972Manufacturer and seller of specialty teas
112116Henningsen Cold Storage*henningsen.comMichael E. Henningsen Jr.232681923Public refrigerated warehousing company
11382P&C Constructionbuiltbypandc.comSteve Malany35351961General contracting firm
114126Anthro Corporationanthro.comShoaib Tareen1121121984Manufacturer of office furniture
TIE 115NRContact Industriescontactind.comFrank Pearson2102101946Manufacturer of engineered wood products
TIE 115NRRexius Forest By-Productsrexius.comArlen Rexius3002501935Recycler and processor of organic waste
117119VanderHouwen & Associates vanderhouwen.comKathy VanderHouwen3673061987Professional staffing firm specializing in IT, engineering and accounting talent
118NRBenchmade Knife Companybenchmade.comLester de Asis1801801990Knife manufacturer
119122Northside Ford Truck Sales northsidefordpdx.comJim McDonough68681972Ford truck dealer
120120Far West Fibersfarwestfibers.comKeith Ristau1561551980Waste recycling firm
121124Triplett Wellmantriplettwellman.comGene Wellman47471982Construction management and general contracting firm
122135Elemental Technologieselementaltechnologies.comSam Blackman1421012006Supplier of software defined video solutions for multiscreen content delivery
123130Smarsh smarsh.comStephen D. Marsh 2001102001Provider of archiving and compliance solutions
124127Otak otak.comChris Rayasam178731981Multidisciplinary design firm
TIE 125120Chambers Constructionchambersconstruction.comDavid Hilles85851955Construction firm
TIE 125106Todd Construction toddconstruction.comBrent Schafer50501986Construction firm
127128Ochoco Lumber Co.ochocolumber.comBruce Daucsavage103961938Operates sawmills
128NRThe Tofurky Companywww.tofurky.coSeth Tibbott98961980Producer of meat alternatives
12129Olsson Industrial Electric olssonelec.comIke Olsson1151151982Industrial electrical contractor
130NRA to Z Wineworksatozwineworks.comWilliam Hatcher51452002Winery and vineyard
131131Bullivant Houser Baileybullivant.comLoren Podwill117781938Law firm focusing on business, commercial and casualty litigation, insurance coverage
132138Neil Kelly Companyneilkelly.comTom Kelly1431301947Residential design-build contractor
133132Beaverton Foods beavertonfoods.comDomonic Biggi80801929Specialty condiments maker
134139Yorke & Curtis yorkeandcurtis.comErik Timmons27271988General contracting firm
135136G5getg5.comDan Hobin1421312005Provider of digital experience management software and services in the property management sector
136147General Sheet Metalgsmw.comCarol Duncan80801932Provider of construction and fabrication services
137137Portland Bottling Companyportlandbottling.comTom Keenan68681924Manufacturer of non alchoholic beverages
138141The Partners Group tpgrp.comRoderick B. Cruickshank106701999Financial services and commercial insurance broker
139143iovation iovation.comGreg Pierson82722004Provider of fraud prevention software
140144Axiumaxium.comDan Mayleben120911996Provider of integrated accounting and project management software
141142Integrity Logisticsintegritylogistics.comKeith Gibson20201988Provider of transportation services
142146MyBinding.commybinding.comCory Ware68681998Online retailer for binding equipment, supplies, laminators
143140Madden Industrial Craftsmen mici.comRon Madden26261988Industrial and construction staffing firm
144145ACME Business Consultingacmebusinessconsulting.comScott Demorest68682002Business consultant
145NRCafé Yumm!cafeyumm.com Mark S. Beauchamp2662461997Restaurant chain, food manufacturer and distributer
146NRRich Duncan Constructionrichduncanconstruction.comRich Duncan18182002Builder specializing in commercial construction and tenant improvement
147149Ruby Receptionistscallruby.comJill Nelson1291292003Virtual receptionist company
148148ISITE Design isitedesign.comPaul Williams72561997Digital agency and design consultancy
149150AngelVision Technologiesangelvisiontech.comMichael Jingozian43432001Producer of online messages for marketing purposes
150NRMenashe Propertiesmenasheproperties.comJordan Menashe12121978Commercial landowner
* Ranking based on data submitted last year