Top 100 CEO Interviews
Issue No. 37 - October/November 2007
Mature sectors rise to T100 challenge
Top 100 architect Max Franchitto was intrigued to discover, while compiling the SA Top 100 Companies Index for 2007, that SA’s mature business sectors appear to be vibrantly healthy and active.
“Technology is no longer the predominant (growth) sector in this State,” Max says. “Food and Hospitality also form a significant sector and Viticulture continues to provide winners.
“Construction is a volatile sector worth noting, as the activity and success is highly dependant on infrastructure growth in the State.
“Franchising retail groups continue to feature as a growing sector — seven companies on the list have franchised operations.”
Max says the Financial Services sector continues to stand out as the most significant sector after Manufacturing and Automotive & Transport logistics.
“Agriculture (sector firms) only appear two times — but they are among the top 10 companies,” Max points out.
More than 35% of the participants whose activity could be measured did more than 50% of their business outside SA.
“Asia is not a limit to exporting; we are now truly global in our propensity to export,” Max says. “Those who export at a national level probably have the product and potential to go global if they so choose.”
The Top 100 companies’ export activity spans some 14 industry sectors, with Manufacturing and Viticulture remaining predominant in the export area.
Companies that have ‘climbed the ladder’ significantly include Santos, which claimed top of the table unrivalled this year and Statewide, which has benefited significantly from industry super fund choice legislation.
One of the biggest movers was Beach Petroleum which jumped 19 places into 11th.
“The higher increase in percentage of revenue is from private companies, as dollar-value publicly listed companies appear to dominate,” Max says.
“Thirty-six companies earn 50% or more of their reven...
