LITTL E ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Arkansas Business has released its latest 75 top private companies list for 2011. They rank the companies by revenue. The newspaper has compiled the list for 24 years now. Arkansas Business publisher Jeff Hankins says this year's list shows impressive growth for some major companies.
They don't get a lot of attention, mainly because their financial data isn't a matter of public record.
Still, private companies drive phenomenal growth here in Arkansas, especially looking at 10-year comps.
For example, poultry producer Mountaire Corp. of Little Rock is number three on the list -- having grown from 3,100 workers and $443-million in revenue in 2000 to 5,600 employees and $1.3 billion in revenue last year.
Other giants on the list -- like number one Truman Arnold companies of Texarkana -- have been subject to recent market upswings.
That company -- which sells fuel and airplane parts -- raked in $2.3 billion in revenue in 2010 and should remain on top next year if prices stay high.
Now -- of the top 10, six are based in Central Arkansas. Two in northwest -- and one -- Riceland Foods of Stuttgart -- represents the Delta.
And a final note - number 14 on the list, Frank Fletcher Cos. of Little Rock, is dealing with the aftermath of that tornado in Joplin, Missouri, Monday.
The company has four main auto dealership locations in Joplin -- we're told at least two -- a Toyota and a Nissan dealership -- were extensively damaged.