Top 100 Private Companies: More $100M companies operate in New

The business year in 2003 featured a modest 4.6 percent revenue rebound in the New Orleans private sector. About two-thirds of private companies increased revenues despite the war with Iraq and skyrocketing insurance and energy costs.

Ochsner Health Plan became the only company in the CityBusiness list of the Top 100 Private Companies to top $700 million in revenues. A total of 16 companies posted more than $100 million in revenues, one more than last year.

Fifteen companies reported $10 million or more in revenue increases compared with just nine in 2002.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, up three spots to No. 16 on the list, is the latest $100 million entry. The Mandeville-based oil field and deepwater marine transportation company increased revenues 20 percent to $110 million in 2003 from $92 million in 2002. Hornbeck also refiled its planned initial public offering after pulling it back a year earlier.

Other success stories include:

* Ray Brandt Affiliates jumping seven spots to No. 7 to land in the top 10 for the first time at $174.5 million. Brandt appears poised to go over $200 million this year, which could challenge No. 6 Lamarque Automotive for dealership supremacy.

* Al Copeland Investments Inc. ignored the legal woes of its namesake, who is being investigated on charges of influence peddling, to post a banner year. ACI jumped 17 spots to No. 11 with $140 million in revenue.

* Landis Construction Co. more than doubled its revenues to $67 million, which pushed the company up 22 spots in the list to No. 26.

* Innovus Inc. more than doubled its revenues to $28 million, which leap-frogged 30 competitors to land at No. 51.

The immediate future for private companies in New Orleans appears bright as home-building and home ownership continue to rise, employment is increasing, interest rates remain at historic lows and inflation is non-existent.

Please turn inside to page 28 to read the complete story on the Top 100 Private Companies.

Copyright 2004 Dolan Media Newswires
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.