St. Louis' top private firms exhibit growing pains - St. Louis Business Journal:

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percent more revenue in 2008 than they did in2007 $92.3 billion, an increase of $7.3 billioj from $85 billion a year earlier. Granted, two companies and Center Oil Co. — accounted for $5.1 or 69 percent, of the Still, that leaves 31 percent and $2.2 billioj from other companies. And in thesw economic times, all billion-dollar increasees are welcome. “Any revenue increase in 2008 is good, and if 2009 is highefr than 2008, that would be said Gerry Sparrow ofin St. “Business activity fell off a cliff in the firsgt quarterof 2009.
” Although many private companies saw revenue increase last year, the majorityg saw their profit margins shrink as a result of higher prices for commodities, especially energy, tighter crediyt and an overall pullback in all sectorss because of the troubled economy. Enterprise Rent-A-Car boostefd revenue by a whopping38 percent, to $13.1 billion, thoughj it wasn’t painless. In it shed 2,000 of its 75,000 employees. “As tough as these steps were, they have helped preservew the company’s overall strength,” said Pam president and chiefoperating officer. A big contributort to revenue was the additionof , whichj Enterprise acquired in 2007.
Center Oil also exceedexd 30 percent growth, posting $6.4 billion in revenue in 2008. High gasoline prices, especially last summer, were a huge Two companies, Barry-Wehmiller Cos. Inc. and , surpasse d $1 billion in sales for the firstf time. Barry-Wehmiller, which owns capital equipmengt manufacturers around the made its 41st and 42nd acquisitions since 1987 and boosted revenue by 25 to $1.2 billion. CIC a holding company with a dozenh subsidiaries in theenergyh industry, reported $1.12 billion, an 18 percent Terry Jansing, CIC vice presidentg and chief financial officer, said CIC has a big backlogt for refinery equipment and expects another strong year this year.
“We’re not seeing any significant he said. In addition to Enterprise Rent-A-Carf and Center Oil, 12 other companieas enjoyed revenue increases of 30 percentgor more. They are: , Bush O’Donnell, Millstond Bangert, , CSI Leasing, Purcell Tire, The , , , KCI GS Robins and . Sales were up 138 percent at Brandinvg Iron, a newcomer to the list at No. 57, primarilty because of added companies. It was formed in Augustr 2007 as a holding company for in Saugef and three othermeat companies. Brandinb Iron’s chief executive, Scott expects a more modest increaswthis year, to $315 million.
“Whemn commodities prices drop, so do ours, and beef pricees are coming down,” he said. Othert newcomers are Millstone Bangert, Roeslein Associates, , HDA, , Angelica, The Co. and NewGround. HDA, with a 14 percent revenue increaseto $211.5 was named Lowe’s exclusive category manager for books, magazines and maps. “Thes big box stores will seldom allow a single vendor to handler anentire category,” said Bob HDA’s president, chief executive and majority Even a company that serves bankws and other financial institutions managed a decent year by diversifyingv its product line.
Revenue at which designs and builds bank did decline, but only 9 percent from a recorfd $111 million in 2007. In recent it has been moving into other services needed by financiao institutions asthey consolidate, such as employee training and digital communications. “Wse diversified the company to capitalized on the turmoil inthe market,” said Kevin president and chief executive.