Deep and Wide
By Alyssa Pressler and David Mildenberg
Sponsored by Ridgemont Equity Partners
Business North Carolina is thrilled to post our annual list of the state’s largest privately held companies, a project turbocharged this year by an expansion to 125 names, the addition of several major enterprises that haven’t appeared before, and recognition of auto-retailing giant Hendrick Automotive Group in the pole position.
For the first time in more than 30 years of compiling the list, this year’s version isn’t entirely voluntary. In other words, some companies are appearing that don’t want the recognition even though they rank among the state’s largest, based on our research. Most of the information in this list isn’t public record, so it took some digging — and many, many phone calls — to compile a comprehensive (and the only) list of the top private companies in the state.
In this digital age, access to company information is greater than ever. Still, it is remarkable how many of these companies operate with little fanfare, even though middle-market businesses are the backbone of the state’s economy. For anyone doubting that, where would Cary be without Jim Goodnight and SAS Institute? Winston-Salem without Don Flow and Flow Automotive Cos.? Glen Raven without Allen Gant and Glen Raven Mills?
Each of the 125 companies has a remarkable story to tell. Most have shown great resilience over many years, while others are reporting explosive growth.
Ownership includes families that have operated the companies for generations, such as Kinston-based Harvey Enterprises & Affiliates; private equity-controlled enterprises such as Charlotte’s Belk department store chain, which is owned by New York-based Sycamore Partners; and employee-owned businesses such as Tencarva Machinery Co. of Greensboro.
Business North Carolina’s
TOP 125 PRIVATE COMPANIES
2 billion or more in revenue
(latest fiscal year)
1. Hendrick Automotive Group, Charlotte
Automotive dealerships
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Ed Brown II
Employees: 10,700
Rick Hendrick, who turned 70 in July, can celebrate a career creating the state’s largest privately held company based on revenue. He broke into the auto industry at 23 as general manager of a used car lot in Raleigh owned by one of the Triangle’s largest car dealers, Mike Leith. He purchased his first dealership, a Chevrolet franchise in Bennettsville, S.C., in 1976, then expanded rapidly in the ‘80s and ‘90s, aided from 1993-99 by a now-dissolved partnership with New York-based private equity group Warburg Pincus LP. Today, his Hendrick Automotive Group operates more than 140 retail franchises and collision centers across 14 states and is the nation’s largest privately held dealership group, according to Automotive News. Hendrick is probably better known for his motorsports business, which ranks second on NASCAR’s all-time top-level victories list behind Richard Petty Motorsports. Former senior Bank of America executive Ed Brown has been Hendrick Automotive’s CEO since 2011.
2. American Tire Distributors, Huntersville
Tire distribution service
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Stuart Schuette
Employees: 4,500 (estimated)
3. Belk Inc., Charlotte
Department store chain
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Lisa Harper
Employees: 25,000
4. SAS Institute Inc., Cary
Software developer
2018 Rank: 1
CEO: Jim Goodnight
Employees: 13,946
5. Transportation Insight LLC, Hickory
Logistics consultant
2018 Rank: 2
CEO: Rennie Faulkner
Employees: 500
6. Alex Lee Inc., Hickory
Wholesale and retail grocer
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Brian George
Employees: 9,300
$1 billion to $2 billion
(latest fiscal year)
7. Parkdale Inc., Gastonia
Textile company
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Anderson Warlick
Employees: 5,000
8. Flow Automotive Cos., Winston-Salem
Automotive dealerships
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: Don Flow
Employees: 1,800 (estimated)
9. National Gypsum Co., Charlotte
2018 Rank: 3
CEO: Thomas C. Nelson
Manufacturer of wallboard products
Employees: 2,500 (estimated)
10. Pike Corp., Mount Airy
Construction and engineering services for electric utilities
2018 Rank: 4
CEO: J. Eric Pike
Employees: 1,300 (estimated)
11. AmWINS Group Inc., Charlotte
Wholesale insurance distributor
2018 Rank: 5
CEO: Scott Purviance
Employees: 5,000
12. Form Technologies Inc., Charlotte
Manufacturer of metal components
2018 rank: 6
CEO: Simon Newman
Employees: 9,500
13. LORD Corp., Cary
Manufacturer of adhesives, coatings and motion controls
2018 rank: 7
CEO: Ed Auslander
Employees: 3,100
14. Leith Inc., Raleigh
Car dealerships
2018 rank: N/A
COO: Danny Williams
Employees: 1,800
15. Goldsboro Milling Co., Goldsboro
Grain, poultry and pork production
2018 Rank: N/A
CEO: H.G. Maxwell III
Employees: 1,000 (estimated)
The Maxwells have been among eastern North Carolina’s most influential farming families since Hugh Gillespie Maxwell Jr. started selling livestock feed in 1916. The family-owned company still sells lots of feed, but Goldsboro Milling’s key business now is a 50% stake in the Butterball turkey brand, which posted annual sales of $1.6 billion in 2018. Garner-based Butterball LLC has a complex corporate history, but the 5,500-employee business is now a joint venture between the Maxwells and Merriam, Kan.-based Seaboard Corp., a public company. (Butterball has posted net losses of $38 million over the last two years, Seaboard filings show.) Goldsboro Milling is also one of the nation’s 10 biggest pork producers, raises blueberries on 700 acres in Bladen County and owns farmland.
$500 million to $999 million
(latest fiscal year)
16. Market America Inc., Greensboro
Product brokerage and digital marketer
2018 rank: 8
CEO: JR Ridinger
Employees: 832
17. CTE Co., Charlotte
Dealer of construction and industrial equipment
2018 rank: 9
CEO: Ed Weisiger Jr.
Employees: 1,549
18. Steelfab Inc., Charlotte
Steel fabricator
2018 rank: 12
CEO: Glenn Sherrill
Employees: 1,242
19. Concord Hospitality Enterprises Co., Raleigh
Hotel management and development
2018 rank: 14
CEO: Mark G. Laport
Employees: 4,578
20. Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corp., Winston-Salem
Doughnut shop chain
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Michael J. Tattersfield
Employees: 5,200m (estimated)
21. ACN Opportunity LLC, Concord
Telecommunications service provider
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Greg Provenzano
Employees: 350 (estimated)
22. Variety Wholesalers Inc., Henderson
Discount retailer
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Art Pope
Employees: 6,000 (estimated)
23. Glen Raven Inc., Glen Raven
Specialty fabric maker
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Leib Oehmig
Employees: 3,000 (estimated)
24. Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Co., Charlotte
Pipe manufacturer and supplier
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Roddey Dowd
Employees: 750 (estimated)
25. Prestage Farms Inc., Clinton
Pork and poultry production
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Bill Prestage
Employees: 2,000 (estimated)
26. Barnhill Contracting Co., Rocky Mount
General contractor
2018 rank: 11
CEO: Robert E. Barnhill
Employees: 1,150
27. Gregory Poole Equipment Co., Raleigh
Dealer of construction and other equipment
2018 rank: 15
CEO: J. Gregory Poole III
Employees: 1,305
28. Sampson-Bladen Oil Co., Clinton
Wholesaler, retailer and distributor of petroleum products
2018 rank: 21
CEO: Haddon M. Clark III
Employees: 1,083
29. Window World of Northwestern North Carolina, Wilkesboro
Window installation service
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Tammy Whitworth
Employees: 750 (estimated)
30. Shurtape Technologies LLC, Hickory
Manufacturer of adhesive tape, consumer goods and office supplies
2018 rank: NA
CEO: Stephen Shuford
Employees: 1,000 (estimated)
31. Ennis-Flint Inc., Greensboro
Manufacturer of pavement markings and traffic products
2018 rank: 13
CEO: Matt Soule
Employees: 1,500
32. Adams Beverages of NC LLC, Charlotte
Beer distributor
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Clay Adams
Employees: 700 (estimated)
33. Southco Distributing Co., Goldsboro
Convenience-store supplier
2018 rank: 16
CEO: Sherwin Herring
Employees: 205
34. Atlantic Packaging Co., Wilmington
Distributor of industrial packaging materials and paper converter
2018 rank: 20
CEO: Russell “Rusty” M. Carter
Employees: 1,260
35. National Coatings & Supplies Inc., Raleigh
Paint distributor for collision-repair shops
2018 rank: 17
CEO: H. Dean Worley
Employees: 1,524
36. Clancy & Theys Construction Co., Raleigh
General contractor
2018 rank: 19
CEO: Tim Clancy
Employees: 335
37. Renfro Corp., Mount Airy
Sock manufacturer
2018 rank: 22
CEO: Stan Jewell
Employees: 4,000
38. The Cook & Boardman Group LLC, Winston-Salem
Distributor of architectural doors, frames, door hardware and related building products
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Darrin Anderson
Employees: 1,300
39. CaptiveAire Systems Inc., Raleigh
Manufacturer of kitchen-ventilation equipment
2018 rank: 24
CEO: Robert L. Luddy
Employees: 1,340
$250 million to $499 million
(latest fiscal year)
40. Flexential Corp., Charlotte
Data-center operator
2018 rank: 31
CEO: Chris Downie
Employees: 930
41. Snider Fleet Solutions, Greensboro
Tire distributor and service provider
2018 rank: 28
CEO: John K. Snider
Employees: 1,397
42. ECMD Inc., North Wilkesboro
Manufacturer and distributor of millwork products
2018 rank: 36
CEO: Todd Meade
Employees: 875
43. Rodgers Builders Inc., Charlotte
General contractor
2018 rank: 25
CEO: Patricia Rodgers
Employees: 309
44. Strata Solar LLC, Chapel Hill
Solar developer
2018 rank: 27
CEO: Markus Wilhelm
Employees: 393
45. James R. Vannoy & Sons Construction Co., Jefferson
General contractor
2018 rank: 18
CEO: Eddie Vannoy
Employees: 320
47. Pharr Yarns LLC, McAdenville
Yarn and carpet manufacturer
2018 rank: 26
CEO: William P. Carstarphen
Employees: 1,650
[media-credit name=”Boddie-Noell Enterprises Inc.” align=”alignright” width=”400″][/media-credit]
46. Boddie-Noell Enterprises Inc., Rocky Mount
Hardee’s franchise operator
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Bill Boddie
Employees: N/A
Carleton Noell and his two nephews, Mayo and Nick Boddie, opened one of the nation’s first Hardee’s franchises in 1962, two years after Wilber Hardee started his hamburger business in Greenville. By 1974, the family had 100 units of the fast-food chain and it now has more than 340, making it the largest franchisee of Hardee’s, which is a unit of Franklin, Tenn.-based CKE Restaurants Inc. The family diversified into other businesses over the years, including the BNE Land & Development unit that specializes in commercial land ventures and resort property development. The group also owns Rose Hill, the Boddie family manor for weddings and other events; a cattle farm; and The Highway Diner, a 1950s-themed restaurant in Rocky Mount.
48. D.H. Griffin Cos., Greensboro
Demolition, environmental and site-development conglomerate
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: David H. Griffin Sr.
Employees: 400 (estimated)
49. Harvey Enterprises & Affiliates, Kinston
Distributor of farm equipment and petroleum products
2018 rank: 24
CEO: John O. McNairy
Employees: 701
50. Global Knowledge Training LLC, Cary
Information technology and business-skills trainer
2018 rank: 30
CEO: Todd Johnstone
Employees: 1,000
[media-credit name=”Liberty Healthcare & Rehabilitation Services” align=”alignright” width=”400″][/media-credit]
51. Liberty Healthcare & Rehabilitation Services, Wilmington
Nursing homes and health services
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: John “Sandy” McNeill
Employees: 2,500 (estimated)
Best known for running the state’s biggest nursing home network, the McNeills also played a key role as investors in helping Fred Eshelman build Wilmington-based Pharmaceutical Product Development, which was sold for $3.9 billion in 2011. The family business’ roots date to 1875 with the founding of the state’s oldest pharmacy in Shallotte. Now run by brothers Ronnie and Sandy McNeill, Liberty operates 21 health care and rehab facilities, six assisted living facilities, 30 home health and hospice offices, 10 medical supply locations, one retail pharmacy and various management companies across the Carolinas, according to the company’s website.
52. Murphy Family Ventures LLC, Wallace
Hospitality, farming, boatmaking
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Wendell “Dell” Murphy Jr.
Employees: 500 (estimated)
53. True Homes LLC, Monroe
Homebuilder
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Mark Boyce and Dan Horner
Employees: 400 (estimated)
Mark Boyce and Dan Horner started True Homes LLC at the beginning of the housing market crisis in 2007. It was a less than ideal time to start, but within two years, True Homes was the largest homebuilder in the Charlotte area. The company expanded from 620 closings and
$117 million in revenue in 2012 to 1,400 closings and $345 million in 2017, according to Professional Builder magazine. True Homes has six offices and showrooms in the Carolinas. True Homes’ ownership also includes Union County developer David Cuthbertson, who helped form American Bank & Trust in Monroe, the first N.C. bank startup in a decade when the institution opened earlier this year.
54. Samet Corp., Greensboro
General contractor
2018 rank: 33
CEO: Arthur Samet
Employees: 228
55. Crowder Constructors Inc., Charlotte
General contractor
2018 rank: 32
CEO: Otis A. Crowder
Employees: 1,112
56. Edifice Inc., Charlotte
General contractor
2018 rank: 41
CEO: Eric Laster
Employees: 112
57. Eastwood Homes, Charlotte
Homebuilder
2018 rank: 29
CEO: J. Clark Stewart
Employees: 250 (estimated)
58. MegaCorp Logistics LLC, Wilmington
Logistics consultant
2018 rank: 49
CEO: Ryan Legg
Employees: 327
59. Warren Oil Co., Dunn
Manufacturer and distributor of
petroleum products
2018 rank: 38
CEO: Dan Owczarzak
Employees: 474
60. Golden Corral Corp., Raleigh
Restaurants
2018 rank: 35
CEO: Lance Trenary
Employees: 2,154
61. Baker Roofing Co., Raleigh
Roofing contractor
2018 rank: 46
CEO: Mark Lee
Employees: 1,213
62. Carolina Handling LLC, Charlotte
Distributor of material-handling equipment
2018 rank: 37
CEO: Dave Reder
Employees: 578
63. Frank L. Blum Construction Co., Asheville
General contractor
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Mike Lancaster
Employees: 170
64. Blythe Development Co., Charlotte
General contractor
2018 rank: 43
CEO: Jack and Frank Blythe
Employees: 943
65. The Biltmore Co., Asheville
Museum and lodging
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: William (Bill) A.V. Cecil Jr.
Employees: 2,629
66. Landmark Builders Inc., Winston-Salem
Construction company
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Steve Stephens
Employees: 250 (estimated)
$100 million to $249 million
(latest fiscal year)
67. Salem Holding Co., Winston-Salem
Provider of transportation and truck-leasing services
2018 rank: 42
CEO: Thomas Teague
Employees: 1,197
68. Colony Tire Corp., Edenton
Tire distributor and auto repair service
2018 rank: 44
CEO: Charles Creighton
Employees: 596
69. Jones & Frank Corp., Morrisville
Fuel-equipment installer and service provider
2018 rank: 39
CEO: Keith Shadrick
Employees: 577
70. Camco Manufacturing Inc., Greensboro
Manufacturer and distributor of RV accessories
2018 rank: 48
CEO: Donald and Lisa Caine
Employees: 700
Donald Caine founded Camco in 1966 as the sole employee. Antifreeze, which Caine mixed by hand, was the company’s only product at the time. A few years later, it expanded to produce water heaters and other products for RVs and mobile homes. Those industries were booming in the 1970s and 1980s, giving Camco a major boost. The company hit $1 million in annual sales in 1976 and passed the $100 million mark in 2008. Today, Camco makes more than 3,000 products for outdoor activities, including boating, camping, tailgating and more. The family business is run by Caine, and his daughter Lisa is co-CEO. It currently has more than 700 employees, 130-plus patents and five manufacturing facilities, according to its website.
71. Tencarva Machinery Co., Greensboro
Distributor of liquid- and air-handling equipment
2018 rank: 47
CEO: Ed Pearce
Employees: 384
72. Precision Walls Inc., Cary
Building contractor
2018 rank: 50
CEO: Brian Allen
Employees: 1,015
73. Union Corrugating Co., Fayetteville
Manufacturer of metal roofing materials
2018 rank: 63
CEO: Keith Medick
Employees: 634
74. Epes Logistics Services Inc., Greensboro
Logistics consultant
2018 rank: 53
CEO: Jason Bodford
Employees: 205
75. Carolina Wholesale Group Inc., Charlotte
Distributor of office supplies and equipment
2018 rank: 45
CEO: Larry Huneycutt
Employees: 180
76. Carolina Beverage Corp., Salisbury
Cheerwine distributor
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Cliff Ritchie
Employees: N/A
77. T.A. Loving Co., Goldsboro
Commercial construction
2018 rank: 40
CEO: Sam Hunter
Employees: 260
78. Advantage Truck Center LLC, Charlotte
Retail truck dealership
2018 rank: 54
CEO: Terry Young
Employees: 156
79. Electrical Equipment Co., Raleigh
Distributor of electrical equipment
2018 rank: 52
CEO: Mark Holmes
Employees: 271
80. ettain group Inc., Charlotte
Information-technology staffing agency
2018 rank: 55
CEO: Trent Beekman
Employees: 1,305
81. American Welding & Gas Inc., Raleigh
Manufacturer and distributor of gases and welding supplies
2018 rank: 56
CEO: George Golliday
Employees: 604
82. Raymer Oil Co., Statesville
Transportation infrastructure and gas company
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Matthew Redmond
Employees: 300 (estimated)
83. Wayne Brothers Inc., Davidson
Provider of concrete and site-work construction services
2018 rank: 69
CEO: Keith Wayne
Employees: 523
84. N2 Publishing, Wilmington
Publisher of community magazines
2018 rank: 59
CEO: Duane Hixon
Employees: 278
85. Morrisette Paper Co., Browns Summit
Distributor of paper, packaging and janitorial supplies
2018 rank: 60
CEO: Bill Morrisette Jr.
Employees: 217
86. The Budd Group Inc., Winston-Salem
Provider of janitorial, landscaping and maintenance services
2018 rank: 61
CEO: Joseph R. Budd
Employees: 4,563
Shortly after Richard Budd purchased the struggling Weaver Supply Co. in Winston-Salem in 1964, he learned his new janitorial supply firm had $35,000 of liabilities. Within four years, the debt was eliminated and Budd expanded by adding janitorial, maintenance and landscaping services. In 1985, Richard’s son Joseph joined the company and later became CEO. Another son, Ted, is a U.S. congressman who lives on the family’s Davie County farm. In the late 1980s, the company expanded throughout the Southeast and eventually consolidated its operations into Budd Services, which was renamed The Budd Group in 1998. It now employs more than 4,000 across eight regional centers and satellite offices spanning from Florida to Indiana.
87. TrialCard Inc., Morrisville
Pharmaceutical marketing services
2018 rank: 72
CEO: Mark Bouck
Employees: 1,166
88. Omega Construction, Winston-Salem
Commercial construction
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Barry Hennings
Employees: 85
89. Best Logistics Group, Kernersville
Transportation services and management
2018 rank: 62
CEO: Roy Cox
Employees: 506
90. InVue Security Products Inc., Charlotte
Provider of security products for retail displays
2018 rank: 58
CEO: Jim Sankey
Employees: 276
91. Carotek Inc., Matthews
Distributor of industrial equipment
2018 rank: 66
CEO: Deryl Bell
Employees: 173
92. AvidXchange Inc., Charlotte
Payment-processing software
2018 rank: 73
CEO: Michael Praeger
Employees: 1,257
93. Myers & Chapman Inc., Charlotte
General contractor
2018 rank: 77
CEO: Marcus Rabun
Employees: 68
94. Mako Medical Laboratories LLC, Raleigh
Laboratory testing services
2018 rank: 79
CEO: Chad Price
Employees: 505
95. Smith Turf & Irrigation, Charlotte
Distributor of landscaping and irrigation equipment
2018 rank: 64
CEO: Steve Smith
Employees: 259
96. Daly Hotels Inc., Morrisville
Hotel management and development
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Bob Daly
Employees: 1,249
97. Smart Choice, High Point
Insurance broker
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Douglas S. Witcher
Employees: 57
98. DuBose Strapping Inc., Clinton
Distributor of industrial equipment
2018 rank: 67
CEO: Charles H. DuBose Jr.
Employees: 164
99. Mickey Truck Bodies Inc., High Point
Manufacturer of truck bodies and trailers
2018 rank: 65
CEO: Mike Tucker
Employees: 441
100. McGee Brothers Co., Monroe
Masonry contractor
2018 rank: 70
CEO: Mike McGee
Employees: 650
101. MedStream Anesthesia PLLC, Asheville
Anesthesia services provider
2018 rank: 75
CEO: Douglas Ellington
Employees: 83
Ken Ellington, a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine, established MedStream Anesthesia in 2006 as an extension of his own anesthesia consulting practice. Along with his brother Doug, a former financial adviser who is CEO, the two built a team of anesthesia management professionals who help surgeons and operating rooms increase efficiency and identify the strategic needs of hospitals. Ken Ellington picked up that expertise as a medical director of pre- and post-surgery at Asheville’s Mission Hospitals from 1998-2007, while also creating one of the nation’s biggest anesthesia organizations.
102. Powerhome Solar LLC, Mooresville
Solar energy and roofing company
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Jayson Waller
Employees: 662
103. insightsoftware Inc., Raleigh
Software developer
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Michael Lipps
Employees: 200 (estimated)
104. Marsh Furniture Co., High Point
Cabinet manufacturer
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Mollie Marsh-Brugh
Employees: 667 (estimated)
$50 million to $99 million
(latest fiscal year)
105. Spectraforce Technologies Inc., Raleigh
Staffing and consulting services
2018 rank: 74
CEO: Amit Singh
Employees: 2,445
106. The Remi Group LLC, Charlotte
Equipment maintenance management
2018 rank: 78
CEO: Dan Schuster
Employees: 148
107. Pine Hall Brick Co., Winston-Salem
Brick manufacturer
2018 rank: 71
CEO: Fletcher Steele
Employees: 352
[media-credit name=”Parata Systems LLC” align=”alignright” width=”400″][/media-credit]
108. Parata Systems LLC, Durham
Provider of drug-dispensing technology for pharmacies
2018 rank: 80
CEO: Rob Kill
Employees: 390
In 2001, Jess Eberdt, Pete Klein, Doug Townsend and Jeff Williams started Parata Systems in Durham with the goal of helping pharmacies lower costs and increase efficiency. Their solution was developing automated vending machines that fill prescription vials and pouches. In 2008, the company launched its Parata Max and Parata Mini, the first machines in the industry capable of capping vials. Parata’s line has expanded to include medication scales, workflow-management systems and labeling machines that can identify different prescriptions and print instructions for patients. Last December, Parata was acquired by Wisconsin’s TCGRx, a competitor and portfolio company of Frazier Healthcare Partners, a private equity company based in Seattle. The combined firm operates under the Parata brand and employs 390, including 190 in North Carolina.
109. Netsertive Inc., Morrisville
Digital marketing services
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Brendan Morrissey
Employees: 200 (estimated)
110. Oliver’s Oil Co., Lumberton
Convenience stores, distributor of petroleum products
2018 rank: 76
CEO: Christopher L. Oliver
Employees: 127
111. Alliance of Professionals & Consultants Inc., Raleigh
Professional and staffing services
2018 rank: 81
CEO: Troy Roberts
Employees: 713
112. CornerStone United Inc., Hickory
Provider of warranties and service contracts
2018 rank: 91
CEO: Richard Swartzel
Employees: 70
113. APEX Analytix LLC, Greensboro
Software and audit services
2018 rank: 86
CEO: Steve Yurko
Employees: 353
114. Measurement Inc., Durham
Education-testing contractor
2018 rank: 83
CEO: Henry H. Scherich
Employees: 300
115. Allen Industries Inc., Greensboro
Sign manufacturer
2018 rank: 82
CEO: Tom Allen
Employees: 355
116. Systel Business Equipment Co., Fayetteville
Electronics dealer and service provider
2018 rank: 87
CEO: Keith Allison
Employees: 264
117. Fairfield Chair Co., Lenoir
Furniture maker
2018 rank: 84
CEO: J. Harper Beall III
Employees: 425
118. Hissho Sushi Inc., Charlotte
Sushi bars and kiosks
2018 rank: 57
CEO: Dan Beem
Employees: 230
119. Global Value Commerce Inc., Raleigh
Internet retailer of golf products
2018 rank: 85
CEO: Ed Byman
Employees: 130
120. Hickory Construction Co., Hickory
General contractor
2018 rank: 89
CEO: Mark Baucom
Employees: 38
[media-credit name=”Enviro-Master International Franchise LLC” align=”alignright” width=”400″][/media-credit]
121. Enviro-Master International Franchise LLC, Charlotte
Commercial cleaning service
2018 rank: N/A
CEO: Pat Swisher
Employees: 750
After spending 18 months in federal prison for tax evasion in 2002, Pat Swisher turned over a new leaf. In 2004, he sold his stake in Swisher Hygiene for $8.1 million, 21 years after he had launched the Charlotte-based sanitation company and built it into a publicly traded concern. Five years later, he started a similar restroom-cleaning business, Enviro-Master, then offered franchises two years later. Backed by Belmont-based Gaston Capital Partners, Enviro-Master grew quickly, enabling Swisher to buy back his old operation in 2016. Between 2015-17, Enviro-Master’s annual revenue increased by 771%. It now works at sites owned by more than 220 branded businesses. This year, the company was named the top restaurant-maintenance franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine.
122. Hornwood Inc., Lilesville
Fabric manufacturer
2018 rank: 88
CEO: Chuck Horne
Employees: 350
123. Imagine Software, Charlotte
Billing-automation software for the medical industry
2018 rank: 96
CEO: Sam Khashman
Employees: 140
124. Cenduit LLC, Durham
Clinical trial services
2018 rank: 93
CEO: Sam Osman
Employees: 579
125. Transportation Impact LLC, Emerald Isle
Logistics consultant
2018 rank: 95
CEO: Keith Byrd
Employees: 69
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